November 10 2018
Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce
Newsletter
IN YOUR CORNER
This week..

For much of our membership, it is a time of renewal...membership renewal. It comes with serious consideration. We hope you agree with the powerful benefits of membership and community as a member of our Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce.

As we continue to rebuild our Chamber, we are rebuilding our benefits. From our enhanced newsletter format, increased social media, offering free educational workshops that can help you build your business, exploring new business resources, building new personal network connections, we will continue to work FOR you.

We also engage and support you through advocacy, credibility, growth, visibility, discounts, and an incredible network along with added visibility through our active partnership in Hampshire County tourism.

Chamber membership is also made easy. Our membership rates were reduced last year and those reduced rates continue this year, along with offering monthly and quarterly payment options. We want EVERY business to have access to our resources and network to make us a vibrant and diverse network.

We hope the only choice is to continue your membership and take advantage of the ways we can support you.

Let's keep connecting and feel free to reach out to me any time to chat about membership and what it means for you and your business.

Looking forward to the many new connections made through next week's Multi-Chamber event...it's almost here! See you soon.

Claudia Pazmany
Executive Director
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.

Tastings from Provisions and Small oven...and, or course, from our own Jake's At the Mill! Raffle,prizes, mock-tails, a cappella and more to make it a true community event.

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
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.
AMHERST WOMAN'S CLUB
OPEN HOUSE
Saturday, December 1st, 10am -2 pm

The public is cordially invited to relax with a free cup of hot mulled cider, finger sandwiches and cookies - and to enjoy the Victorian-style festive decorations. Pack the Sack downtown, then sit and enjoy your surroundings at our historic house at 35 Triangle Street and find out more about the Woman's Club, established over 125 years ago.
AmherstWorks Hosts 'The Wakanda Challenge" Gala
Friday, November 16, 6-9pm

Drinks, music and food all made possible to the generosity of High Horse , the Bistro 63 , Osteria Vespa and Pasta E Basta .

Follow the event on Facebook

Learn more about their model approach: We are creating a one-of-a-kind education model and community-based economic transformation. Our approach is to provide innovative coral aquaculture , develop community-based education programming and support entrepreneurial research .
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!

Multi-Chamber 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
Register here . Sponsored by PeoplesBank

VISIT OUR MONTHLY CHAMBER CALENDAR
to stay up-to-date on all local community events.

REGIONAL TOURISM PARTNERSHIP:
PROMOTING OUR REGION