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Is YOUR business ready to spring ahead?
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 The sun is shining, the temperatures are no longer in the negative numbers and the snow is (slowly) starting to recede. Can spring be far behind?
One other sign of spring here at the Chamber is the annual chirping of the phones as visitors look to plan their summer and fall trips. Another is the parade of local residents looking for everything from wedding planning information (there were a lot of Christmas and Valentine's engagements, apparently) to accommodations brochures for guests to hiking/biking trail pamphlets to roofers and other construction services.
And here's the thing: Our supplies are running low. Here are two things we need to help YOU:
1) Information on any specials you have, including newly renovated rooms, availability, etc.
2) More brochures and other print collateral! Whether you're a hotel or a house cleaner, eatery or electrician, we need your materials here at the Chamber office at 16 Water St.
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A note from Executive Director Laura Dolce
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 With my first month under my belt, I'm confident now of two things:
1) Spring WILL finally come and
2) Boy, I love this job.
The spring thing might seem like a no-brainer - after all, it comes every year - but seriously, weren't we all beginning to think it might skip us this year?
But as I write this we're expecting temperatures in the 40s - a veritable heat wave! - and the sun is shining. Life is good.
\Which brings me to my second point...
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I love this job.
As many of you know, I spent 25 years in journalism, so to some, working at the Chamber seemed like a big career change. But here's what I've discovered: I still get to tell people's stories.
Recently, I got to share the good news that Bev and Rick Litchfield were named a Blue Ribbon Small Business award winner by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. We helped encourage people to vote for the Litchfields to receive a community excellence award from the U.S. Chamber too (no results on that yet).
In the past, the Litchfields have also been recognized for their "Dime for Time" program, which was created after Bev lost her sister to breast cancer. They set aside $.50 for each guest visit to go toward the American Cancer Society. In addition, on the weekend following Thanksgiving, they open to inn to breast cancer survivors and their families.
Theirs is a wonderful story to tell.
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 Another wonderful local story is that of Mail-It Unlimited's Bill Gallant, who once again celebrated his store's anniversary (the 26th) by giving back to the community.
Bill - and his official "people-greeter," Allie - spent all of last week conducting a food drive for both people (via Community Outreach Services) and pets (via AWS).
They collected thousands of pounds of food, all of which will help people and pets right here in the Kennebunks.
We were thrilled to be able to tell Bill's story, and would love to tell yours as well.
Reach out anytime and let us know how we can help.
Have a great March - and enjoy that sunshine!
Laura Dolce
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Please join us March 18 for Weirs Buick GMC After Hours
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 "Here's looking at you, sweetheart ..." With those famous words, Humphrey Bogart catapulted himself, and "Casablanca," into the American movie lexicon. We're hoping to re-create a little bit of that movie magic at our March 18th Weirs Buick GMC After Hours, where Linda Zuke and her merry men will have an antique Phaeton - the same type seen in "Casablanca" - on hand, along with some fun photo props, a showing of the movie and more. The fun kicks off at 5:30 p.m. We can't wait!
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Welcome to our newest business members!
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 We are happy to report that we had three new members join us last month. They include:
Lucky Pup Rescue,
Embrace Home Loans and
Ports of Italy (a new restaurant being built where Bartley's used to be). Welcome aboard! Want to find out how you can join, or what the Chamber can do for you?
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FORE! Sign up for the June 1 Chamber golf tournament today
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The 26th annual Chamber Golf Tournament will be held on Monday, June 1, at The Links at Outlook.
We'll have a noon scramble shotgun start, with a boxed lunch AND a banquet dinner. The Links is one of the top 100 golf courses in New England, so we've already heard from golfers who are getting excited about playing there.
We're still looking for sponsors for tees, roughs, prizes and gift bags and more, so please give us a ring at 967-0857 if you're interested.
And, of course, we're looking for teams to just enjoy a wonderful day of golf.
Want to learn more? Click here.
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New Coastal Maine Restaurant Week kicks off April 26
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Exciting news, food fans (and let's face it - that's all of us, right?). The York County Coast Star is expanding its popular restaurant week into the Coastal Maine Restaurant Week. The inaugural event kicks off April 26, and will wrap up May 2. It will feature eateries from Kittery through Arundel, and our Chamber, along with Wells and Ogunquit, will be a sponsor.
Restaurants looking for more information can email Gina Marcello-Johnson at
[email protected].
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| Get the word out about your business! |
Remember to use the Chamber's online calendar!
Members
are invited to post their own events on our online calendar
and also send us event posters (.jpgs, please) that we will post on our Chamber facebook page
as well as our
new
3 Towns, 1 Community page
.
As always, we're here to help if you need us!
Please, also, follow us on Instagram at @go_kennebunks, and use the #gokennebunks on your Instagram posts.
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We had fun getting 'framed' at the ReStore After Hours!
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 Sure, it snowed (again), but that didn't stop the several dozen hardy souls who ventured out to our Feb. 18 After Hours from enjoying themselves at the ReStore. They searched for two sets of tickets to this month's event, finding them inside a microwave and a lazy Susan, and were happily 'framed' by Sales & Marketing Manager Laura Snyder Smith, all while learning the mission of Habitat for Humanity's ReStore. And better yet - several guests found must-have furniture and home items that they were planning to return to buy the next day. That's what we call a win-win!
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Picture this: wedded bliss
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We're putting the finishing touches on our Experience the Kennebunks guide book and could use some great photos for our wedding section. If you have any to share, please send high-res jpgs to Laura Snyder Smith at
[email protected].
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Here's a sure sign of spring: businesses that were closed for the winter are reopening! This week we heard from
Carla's, which is opening for the 2015 season on
Friday, March 13
.
Is your business re-opening soon? Send us a note at
[email protected], and we'll include your business in our next newsletter as well as posting it to our Facebook pages and twitter. Let us help get the word out to the community that you're back in business for the season!
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| Is your business ready to make the cut? |
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The Chamber was happy to welcome RE/MAX Realty One to Lower Village, Kennebunk, on Tuesday, March 3 with a ribbon cutting. Located in the former Poofberry's space, the office is open for business.
Don't forget - if you'd like to have a grand opening (or
re-opening) for your business, the Chamber will be happy to bring our big ol' scissors and ribbon, and help you get the word out.
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Attention: accommodations owners/managers
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Responding to requests from local Maine hotel managers who struggle to obtain a single view of their business and marketing metrics, Digital Research developed a cloud-based software-as-a-service application. This web-based "dashboard" is designed to help independent hotels measure their business performance and compare their performance metrics to industry averages."The product will enable hotel owners and managers to assess the effectiveness of their marketing strategies, and to allocate funds to the most productive uses," according to the company.
Want to learn more? Digital Research will be hosting an information session at 9 a.m. Monday, March 16 at their office in the Lafayette Center. RSVP to [email protected].
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 Christmas Prelude may be nearly nine months away, but that doesn't mean we're not already getting calls about it! How lucky are we to live in a community with such a fabulous event? We're happy to handle those calls for our friends at the KBA - and to attend as many events as possible :)
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A special thanks to our sponsors
Presenting sponsor:
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Silver sponsors:
Biddeford Savings Bank
Gorham Savings Bank
Port Inn Kennebunk
Southern Maine Health Care
Bronze sponsor:
Norway Savings Bank
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Reaching the Chamber
We have two locations: our main office at 16 Water St. in Kennebunk, and our seasonal kiosk at 1 Chase Hill Road in Lower Village.
Our main number is (207) 967-0857.
2014-2015 Board of Directors
Chair
David "Duffy" Cluff
Vice-Chair
Damien Callahan Port Inn Kennebunk
Secretary
Marybeth Munroe Camden National Bank
Treasurer
Eileen Brogli
Kennebunk Investment Services
Board Members
Michelle Moore Allen
Ambidextrous Landscaping, Inc.
Teresa Andreoli
Arundel Ice Cream
Mark Birmingham
Coldwell-Banker
Sandra Bisson
People's United Bank
Kim Chilton
Consumer Title
Beth Geary
Kennebunkport Resort Collection
Kerrie Leclair
Animal Welfare Society
Leslie Roberts
Southern Maine Health Care Rick Wolf The B&B Team
Linda Zuke
Weirs Motors
Laurie Smith, Ex Officio
Town of Kennebunkport
Chamber Staff Laura Dolce
Sales & Marketing Manager [email protected]
Leanne Travers Office & Kiosk Manager [email protected]
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