November 3, 2018
Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce
Newsletter
IN YOURCORNER
This week..

October is behind us, but it brought us 8 new members! We have seen 6 new businesses develop, just in our downtown, and we are kicking off November with another new member at Jake's At the Mill. Check out the full list below and give them a warm welcome.

The year is not over and there is plenty of room for more celebration and networking. Join us for our Business Bash...tastings, fabulous 30 Boltwood fare, and networking. Then be sure to celebrate the year with us at our annual Holiday Party! News of new events in the New Year coming next week.

Now, it's time to VOTE! Election day is Tuesday, November 6, 7am - 8pm.This is your chance to vote in our first-ever Town Council Candidates and make the changes most needed for an A+ Amherst. Find your precinct location & voting hours here.

See you at the polls.

Claudia Pazmany
Executive Director
AMBASSADOR HIGHLIGHT
Our Ambassadors reflect the values and mission of our Amherst Area Chamber

“It so important when you join a chamber that you have access to information beyond what is listed on the website.
Ambassadors are a new member’s first points of contact. Our role is to make new members more comfortable by making introductions, answering questions and pointing out ways to get the most out of their membership”

Thank you for being a valued member of our Chamber Ambassador team Youssef.
CHAMBER NEWS & EVENTS
MULTI-CHAMBER BUSINESS EXCHANGE
Wednesday, November 14
Lord Jeffery Inn

Our Multi-Chamber Business Exchange is back!
The most anticipated networking event of the year!

Bring your team and business cards and it will be an evening of networking and mingling...we have dedicated efforts to keep you moving and meeting new folks. Should be great food, tastings, and stellar networking. Moved this from a table-top expo to a networking format.

Thank you to the event sponsors for making this event possible:
And to the Lord Jeffery Inn for their partnership and support.

Our sponsors have chosen to celebrate some local non-profits so we welcome:


This will FILL up. Register Today
RIBBON CUTTING
JAKE'S AT THE MILL
Thursday, November 15, 5-7pm

Please join the Amherst Chamber of Commerce as we celebrate the ribbon cutting and Jake's new location in the heart of The Mill District in North Amherst on Thursday, November 15, 5-7pm.

There will be food from local businesses and artisans along with raffle prizes. The event is sponsored by The Tommy Car Auto Group with support from Greenfield Savings Bank and Pioneer Valley Indoor Karting .

Join us and welcome our newest CHAMBER MEMBER!
ANNUAL LIGHTING OF THE MERRY MAPLE

Ring in the holiday season with this special celebration of light.

Follow the event on Facebook for all schedule updates!

Thank you to TD , Our Presenting Sponsor, to Amherst Business Improvement District for their partnership & sponsorship.
And thank you for support from: Muddy Brook Farms, District Attorney David E. Sullivan, Amherst Fire Department, UMass Marching Band and the
Amherst Regional High School Chorale and Hurricane Singers.
 Wouldn't be the same without YOU.
YOU'RE INVITED!
OUR ANNUAL HOLIDAY PARTY IS BACK
Wednesday, December 12, 5-7pm
Presenting Sponsor, PeoplesBank is also back with a continued 'passion for what is possible' and we return to the beautiful space of AmherstWorks, right in the heart of our downtown to celebrate the year in merriment and community.

Music will surround us with selections by Stephen Page and delicious fare will make the festivities complete.

MSBDC APPOINTMENTS At the CHAMBER
Mark Your Calendars:
November 27
December 18

Great having the MSBDC professionals in the office this week - and great to see so many female entrepreneurs driving new business!

Are YOU looking for financial advice to turn your business around? Have a business plan you want to put into action? Make your November or December appointment.

FREE but available by appointment only.

Please contact:
Lynn Shedd
MEMBER NEWS & EVENTS
Town Council Candidate Survey on the Arts

Arts Night Plus sent a 3-question survey to the 26 Town Council candidates to obtain for voters their views on how arts and culture can benefit downtown, influence tourism and the future development of our Town. Twenty-one candidates chose to reply. Click here to read their responses, beginning with At Large followed by Districts in numerical order. Thank you for this perspective Arts Night Plus!
JOIN AN EXECUTIVE ROUNDTABLE
MAKING TIME TO TAKE TIME TO LEAD

If you took a poll of successful entrepreneurs, asking what single activity helps them most with personal and professional development, you’d likely find that roundtables (aka peer groups, aka affinity groups) often are their choice. To get a reality check in a confidential environment, from people who deal with comparable situations, who are ready, willing and able to help you think it through, is crucial. Once you do that, it’s not so lonely at the top. And our structure increases accountability, strategic thinking, fear and shame, off-base risk tolerance, group think, vanilla results, and so on.

The Family Business Center of Pioneer Valley has 3 groups that each meet 9 times per year, for 3 hours. They meet in Holyoke, Amherst, and Northampton. And they are offered for a tiny cost, above the membership in our program. Or if not in our program, but a member of your local chamber of commerce, you can join at a special price. If you’re interested, curious, want to discuss, please contact Ira Bryck at 413 835 0810 or [email protected] See more about us at fambizpv.com
Amherst BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT
Brings Back Pack the Sack
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 1st

20% off at over 30 participating businesses

Santa and Elf visit businesses with some live musical accompaniment.

Sacks available at the Visitor's Information Center and participating businesses.

Check their website here for all updates and participating stores.
MEMBER NEWSBITES

The Works Café announced expanded hours and new menu last week. Now open from 7am - 7pm. The Works’ expanded menu and hours give individuals a healthy and quick option for dining out -- one that includes a bold new menu of organic and gluten-free options, gourmet salads and veggie-based smoothies. These new items complement their original large selection of traditional bagels, local cage-free eggs, artisan sandwiches and soups. The Works also transformed its interior space to include reclaimed wood, energy star rated kitchen equipment and LED light fixtures. Subject of our first member spotlight next week.

PV Squared , a worker-owned cooperative helping Western Massachusetts and Southern Vermont go solar since 2002, was recently awarded the Cooperative of the Year for Principle 7 - Leadership in Community at the 2018 U.S. Federation of Worker Cooperatives (USFWC) annual conference. The award is given to PV Squared “for receiving national recognition in their field with company accreditation by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners ( NABCEP ), an accreditation awarded to companies that meet a rigorous set of standards regarding installation, employee training and qualification, safe work practices and customer accountability, as well as their work to provide solar power to communities in Puerto Rico through their work with Amicus Solar Cooperative.”

The Amherst Boys & Girls Club kicks off its 2018 Annual Campaign. Only through the generosity of friends in the community can we make a difference in the lives of our local youth.  
* One day in the life of a child can make a huge impact on their future.
* One caring adult can create an unbreakable bond with a vulnerable child that will last throughout their lifetime.
* One Boys & Girls Club can offer hope to an entire Community.
* One gift from you can open the door to a brighter tomorrow for more of our children.


HOT DEALS
Any hot deals to heat up the Autumn Breezes?

All members are invited to share their hot deals for other members by logging into the Amherst Area website with the details or email details and graphics to: [email protected] We will feature them on social media.
STAY TUNED!

Hampshire Business Exchange, Wednesday, November 14, Multi-Chamber event at the Lord Jeffery Inn, Stay tuned for details. Register

Lighting of the Merry Maple , Friday, November 30. Full details here .

Annual Holiday Party , Wednesday, December 12,AmherstWorks, Sponsored by PeoplesBank
VISIT OUR MONTHLY CHAMBER CALENDAR
to stay up-to-date on all local community events.

REGIONAL TOURISM PARTNERSHIP:
PROMOTING OUR REGION