A MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Greetings,

Thank you to all of our Chamber members, and to those members who supported the development of our 2014-2015 Experience the Kennebunks guidebook with advertising. The guidebook is hot off the press; I encourage you to stop by our office to get a supply for your business. The guidebook provides valuable information and serves businesses, residents, tourists and people interested in relocating to our area. It is distributed in the New England region, Canada, at trade shows, and upon request throughout the United States and beyond, and will be able to be downloaded on our new website.

We have several exciting happenings in May and beyond:

Our new website, www.gokennebunks.com will go live late May!

Our visitor information center, located in Lower Village is opening on May 9th for the next two weekends, and will be open daily from 10 am to 6 pm through Veteran's Day.

We are almost sold out for the Disney Institute Quality Service seminar slated for May 21st. Call Traci Freed to register.

WIN A HARLEY! Stop in to buy your motorcycle raffle tickets - $20 per ticket, 6 for $100. Only 3,000 tickets will be sold, great odds! See the Harley on display at Weirs Buick GMC. Drawing is July 9th at Bentley's.

Only 10 teams remain for our 25th Anniversary Golf Tournament. Sign up to play - individual or team - or be a sponsor. Tournament is Monday, June 16 at Dutch Elm Golf Course.

With an open-door philosophy, the Chamber welcomes you to stop by. We would love to hear from you. If you have ideas, concerns, or need help navigating through business resources and information, feel free to call me or set up a time to meet. I would be more than happy to help.

Best regards,

Denise Clavette

REGISTER FOR THE SERVSAFE COURSE

Sign up for the Certified ServSafe Manager Food Safety class on May 12 from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Duffy's Tavern & Grill. The cost is $134 per person for Chamber members and $139 per person for non-members. Fee includes textbook, national exam and certification. 

Learn more about the course here. 

Register by May 5 to reserve your spot!  Contact the Chamber office at 207-967-0857 or [email protected].

WIN A HARLEY-DAVIDSON!

Raffle tickets to win a 2014 Harley-Davidson FLHX Street Glide are available to purchase at the Chamber office or by phone 207-602-1063. Tickets are $20 each or six for $100. The Chamber will be selling tickets at Kennebunk's May Day Festival and Bentley's events this weekend.  Stop by and buy your tickets! 

MAINE BEACHES ASSOCIATION STRATEGIC MARKETING PLAN 

Please take a few minutes to review the five year strategic marketing plan developed by the Maine Beaches Association, a coalition of Chambers of Commerce in Southern Maine working to promote the region as a premier, four season vacation destination.

This plan is the culmination of a six month process that involved input and guidance by more than 50 individuals representing a wide swath of tourism interests. It describes identified strengths and challenges facing tourism in our region, states measurable goals with specific targets, outlines messaging and details the means for delivering our messages to the right audiences and in the right way.

We welcome continuous feedback and involvement from tourism stakeholders in our region. Please provide your input to Traci Freed at 207-967-0857 or [email protected].

BUSINESS AFTER HOURS ON MAY 15

Join us for a fun evening at Business After Hours at Norway Savings Bank in Kennebunk on May 15 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Hope to see you there!

REMOTE BROADCAST SALE FROM HOT 104.7

Radio station Hot 104.7 is having a remote broadcast sale! Any remote that happens between now and May 23, 2014 is $750 for payment upfront or $800 billed.

Take advantage of this offer to give your business exposure on radio and in social media. More information is available here. 

 MEMBER NEWS 

Kennebunk High School Ranked Fifth in the State

U.S. News & World Report ranked Kennebunk High School fifth in the state. Kennebunk moved up three spots from last year. Maine and California are tied for the highest percentage of high schools earning top marks. The full article can be read here.

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Kennebunk Investment Services Offers Workshops To Help You Plan For Retirement

Join Paul Wolf, President of Kennebunk Investment Services, for workshops to help you plan for retirement.

Getting the Most from Social Security

May 15, 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.

Protecting Your Most Important Asset: Your Family

May 20, 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.

Learn more about these events and RSVP here.

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The Gallup Institute for Personal Freedom Book Launch

Join The Gallup Institute for Personal Freedom on May 9, 2014 from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. for a book release and launch party to celebrate Project Personal Freedom.  The event will be held at The Gallup Institute for Personal Freedom, 35-37 Western Avenue, Suite 202, Lower Village, Kennebunk. More information on the book is here. 

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Brick Store Museum Offers an Estate Planning Seminar

The Brick Store Museum is delighted to extend an invitation to area residents to hear three experts from the local law firm of Bergen & Parkinson in an informal discussion of what you need to consider when planning your estate.  Join Wayne Adams, Milda Castner and Brin Richer to learn about Powers of Attorney, Advance Health Care Directives, Wills, Maine Probate Procedures and Estate Taxation.  The program will allow time for questions and one-on-one discussions.

The seminar is in the Museum Program Center on Tuesday, May 13 from 10:00 a.m. to noon.  Admission is free.  Coffee and light refreshments will be served.

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MAINE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT GUIDE

The Chamber has copies of the 2014 edition of the Maine Economic Development Guide, an annual publication highlighting positive economic news in the state. 

Please stop by our office if you would like copies for your business and customers. 

The publication is also available online here.

 OTHER NEWS 

Bill Signed to Remove Some Highway Signs

Governor LePage signed a bill on April 16 directing the state to remove or relocate dozens of informational signs along its interstate highways. Maine officials said failure to remove highway signs for things like colleges, parks and recreational attractions will cause the state to lose millions of dollars in highway funding for failing to comply with federal rules. The measure will go into law 90 days after lawmakers adjourn for the session. A list of signs to be removed or relocated is available here.

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 Governor's Broadband Capacity Building Task Force

The Governor's Broadband Capacity Building Task Force recently released a full report and  executive summary that outlines recommendations for the improved utilization, integration and growth of broadband Internet in Maine's business, government, education and healthcare sectors. Estimated timing for implementation of the report tactics ranges from this year through 2016. Businesses, taxpayers and students of all ages will benefit from the completed recommendations; some of which will save the state more than $100 million.