THE BEDFORD BANNER  
                                                          May 2018
 

BARRETT SOTHEBY'S SENIOR PROM STROLL
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
MAY 31St 
4-6 PM

In This Issue
5 Mother's Day Ideas
Multi-Chamber After Hours
Tee It Up
An Evening with Jamie Lee Curtis
Business Development Update
From the Chamber Office
What the Chamber Did in April?
Who Wants to Be on TV?
Chamber Calendar
Follow us on Facebook
5 Mother's Day Marketing Ideas to Make Moms Melt !
  Create a Gift Guide
Gift guides for any major holiday are a smart idea, as they make it easier for busy spouses and family members to find the perfect gift. You can create an email guide and send it to your mailing list, print up guides to hand out as guests enter your business, or both! Group gifts for the variety of "moms" out there-new mom, daughter, aunt, close family friend who is practically an aunt, etc.
Yes, husbands, dads, and adult children will flock to it, but it will be especially helpful for them if they're buying for the mom who already has everything. A gift guide is one of the best Mother's Day marketing ideas to take the stress out of shopping and make it easier for your customers to celebrate mom.
   
                           Bundle Products and Services
Another smart Mother's Day promotion is to package or bundle spa services, beauty products, jewelry, cooking classes, desserts, etc. to makes it easy for busy people to snap up a great gift. Consider offering packages at a discount compared to buying everything a la carte.

Offer Special Discounts to Kids
So many kids save up their allowances to buy something special for mom, but it can be disheartening for them to be priced out of items they know their mom would love. A couple of Mother's Day marketing ideas that help with this are a special discount for kids or a special section of affordable items that gives them the chance to walk away with the perfect gift for mom.
  
Promote Gift Wrapping and Gift Cards
If you offer gift wrapping during the holidays, why not Mother's Day? You'll make a lot of lives easier. Another smart Mother's Day promotion is to offer gift cards-they can be the saving grace of many a holiday gift, not just Mother's Day. Be sure to remind your audience that you offer gift cards, too. Bonus points if gift cards are emailed upon purchase for those last minute gifts.
    
                                          Hand Out a Free Gift to Moms
This is one of the most common Mother's Day marketing ideas, but it's also one of the most appreciated. It could be a cup of coffee, a fragrant peony, or a glass of bubbly-anything that will make your customers feel welcome and appreciated when they come through your doors.


  Monika Jansen is a copywriter and editor who is happiest pounding out blog posts, website content, and other marketing materials for her clients, who tend to be startups and professional service providers. She is a blogger for GrowSmartBiz and the managing editor of UberStories. You can follow her on Twitter (@monikacjansen) or find her on LinkedIn.
 Multi-Chamber Networking  
& Google Analytics Presentation


Let's Kick off Summer in Style!

Wednesday, June 13
4:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Tewksbury Country Club
1880 Main Street, Tewksbury
 

Please join us for a fun evening of networking at the beautiful Tewksbury Country Club. This popular Multi-Chamber event attracts 150-200 local professionals. So mark your calendar, gather your business cards & company brochures and make your reservation to attend today.
 
Tabletop space will be available exclusively for Chamber members on a first-come, first-served basis at no additional cost. Tables are shared by three businesses with the goal of providing a 'place holder' for your marketing materials. Members can begin table set-up at 4:00 pm.
 

 
Complimentary Appetizers / Cash Bar 

Optional FREE Seminar

4:30 pm - 5:30 pm
 
"Why Google Analytics Matters To Your Business"
Google Analytics is the most popular web analytics tool in the world, yet very few businesses know how to exploit its many features to decrease costs and increase sales. 
 
Come learn the "what" and "why" of analytics for business, and dig into the "how" of using web analytics to decrease spending and increase revenue for your business.
 
Presenter: Israel Kloss has his own consulting business where he is committed to boosting sales and donation results for his clients using fun stuff like marketing automation, predictive analytics, data mining, churn risk analysis, personalization and competitive and donor intelligence. For the past 18 years, he has worked as a web designer/developer for companies ranging from fortune-100 companies to small startups and higher education.  
Israel and his wife and 2 children are proud Wilmington residents. They love the area and he has really enjoyed meeting Wilmington/Tewksbery business owners and hearing more about their analytics interests, problems and needs. 





Tee It Up Golf
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Tee It Up Tuesday Golf is offered through the  Bedford Chamber of Commerce at Patriot Golf Course in Bedford, MA. This friendly league invites anyone living or working in the Bedford area to join us for a twilight round every Tuesday. Whether you're a seasoned pro, or are interested in learning to play the game, the course is a great fit for all skill-levels. This league is perfect for anyone interested in networking, while also enjoying a late afternoon round of golf!
 
Begins Tuesday, May 15
th
Day: Every Tuesday
Time: 5PM-6PM
Price: $17 Walking

**Please reach out to  Josh Franklin  each week with your availability - groups are scheduled out every 10 minutes and may register on a first-come-first-served basis. Single players will be added to a group or paired up with other single players. Each week's roster will be sent out Tuesday mornings with pairings for that afternoon.
 
NEW THIS YEAR: We appreciatively took your feedback from last season and will be adding 3 competitive tournaments this summer - June, July, and August. These tournaments will be accompanied by food, drinks, and prizes for all participants - more details and dates to come in May.
 
  
 
 An Evening with Jamie Lee Curtis to Benefit Student Scholarships

The 20th annual Middlesex Community College Celebrity Forum will feature actress, children's-book author and philanthropist Jamie Lee Curtis, at 8 p.m. Friday, June 8, in the Lowell Memorial Auditorium. Tickets on sale NOW!
 
Proceeds from Celebrity Forum support scholarships for Middlesex students. Since 2004, 122 scholarships have been awarded totaling $304,500. 
 
"This is the college's signature scholarship-fundraising event and supporting this extraordinary evening will positively impact our talented students who seek to change their lives through education.," said MCC President James Mabry. "With the upcoming opening of MCC's Academic Arts Center, we welcome Jamie Lee to the 20th Celebrity Forum as an individual who's given so much to the arts and important charitable endeavors.
 
The daughter of legendary actors Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh, Curtis has starred in a variety of acclaimed films including "Freaky Friday," "True Lies," "Trading Places" and "A Fish Called Wanda."
 
In television, she co-starred opposite Richard Lewis in the sitcom "Anything But Love," and appeared in the title role in TNT's adaptation of Wendy Wasserstein's "The Heidi Chronicles." She earned an Emmy nomination for her role in the CBS telefilm "Nicholas' Gift," and recently starred in "Scream Queens" on Fox.
 
Curtis has a deep and active connection to many children's charities, including serving on the Board of Trustees at Children's Hospital Los Angeles. She has received awards from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the National Endowment of the Arts for her work.
 
In addition to acting, Curtis is also an author of best-selling children's books - many dealing with complex issues such as adoption. She has sold more than 5 million books under the banner "Books to Grow By." Titles include "Today I Feel Silly," "It's Hard to Be Five" and "Tell Me Again About the Night I Was Born."
 
Ms. Curtis' latest Book Me, My Selfie & I will be out in September and in October Jamie Lee Curtis will be reprising her iconic role as Laurie Strode in the new Halloween film, which marks 40 years from the original release.
 
Curtis is committed to supporting Women in Recovery and Children affected by AIDS. She has served on the Board of Directors of CASA (The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University) as well as The R. Scott Hitt Foundation.
 
MCC's Celebrity Forum is an annual event that presents well-known personalities for the educational and cultural enrichment of area residents. Presenting Sponsor of all 20 Celebrity Forum events is The TJX Companies, Inc.
 
Past Celebrity Forum speakers include Walter Cronkite with Doris Kearns Goodwin, Colin Powell, former President George Bush with former First Lady Barbara Bush, Rudy Giuliani, David McCullough, Barbara Walters, Tim Russert, Geena Davis, Mike Wallace and Chris Wallace, Jay Leno, Sarah Ferguson, Ken Burns, Robin Roberts, Michael J. Fox, former First Lady Laura Bush with Jenna Bush Hager, Robert Redford, William Shatner, Kathie Lee Gifford and Hoda Kotb, and David Ortiz.
 
Tickets to An Evening with Jamie Lee Curtis are $29, $39 and $49, and go on sale Friday, April 6.
 
Tickets can be purchased by calling the Lowell Memorial Auditorium Box Office at 866-722-8881; online at  www.lowellauditorium.com ; or in person at the LMA Box Office, 50 E. Merrimack St., Lowell. For group sales of 15 or more, contact Jocelyn Prieto at 978-934-5751 or email:  jocelyn_prieto@comcastspectator.com
 
For information about Celebrity Forum sponsorship opportunities, visit http://www.middlesex.mass.edu/CF18 or contact Dean of College Advancement Dennis Malvers at 781-280-3514.
 
Middlesex Community College is your pathway to success. As one of the largest, most comprehensive community colleges in the state, we educate, engage and empower a diverse community of learners. MCC offers more than 70 degree and certificate programs, plus hundreds of noncredit courses, on our campuses in Bedford and Lowell, as well as online. Middlesex Community College: Student success starts here!
 


Business Development Update

1. Town Manager Replacement Process
Bill Moonan provided an update. There are about 15 Bedford residents interested in joining the selection committee including Chamber member Erin Sandler. The Selectman plan to interview these people around May 7th and narrow it down to just a few who will join the selection committee. The actual Town Manager selection process is expected to take a few month with a target date of August for the new Town Manager to come on-board.

2. Hotel Alcohol Policy Amendment
Alyssa Sandoval provided an overview. The amendment includes removing the 2 drink without food restriction for hotel guests only (who will be required to show their key or other process to confirm they are hotel guest). This is being presented to the Selectman on April 30th.

3. Volunteer Guide
The Chamber is in the process of compiling Volunteer opportunities for company employees to do as a group. This will be made available on the Chamber web site and handed out at Chamber and town events. For Chamber members, a certificate of appreciation can be provided along with photo ops and social media updates upon completion of the activity. Bill Moonan mention that although the Bedford Garden Club is interested in volunteers, they are not yet ready to move forward but expect to be back in touch later this fall for Spring 2019.
4. Walkabout Update: Event is set for July 12.

5. Wiggins Avenue Businesses Meeting. The next meeting is set for May 21st. This will be a good opportunity for the Chamber to hand out it volunteer opportunities document. The new sign on Wiggins Avenue should be moving forward shortly as all the Wiggins area companies expected to have made contributions have done so.
From the Chamber Office

Summer Walk About

The Summer Walk About is scheduled for Thursday, July 12th.  This years event will be run  in conjunction with the Summer Concert Series and will be held on the grounds of the Town Center. If your business is interested in participating , contact Sheena Santos. The event expects to draw over 250 Bedford residents

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Do you want to get involved with a Chamber Committee or event?

The Board of Directors are always looking for volunteers to serve on committees and help with events, this is a great way to get involved in the Chamber and maximize your membership by meeting and networking. There are lots of opportunities, please email   Maureen Sullivan at the Chamber office and explore what might fit your talents and interests.

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*Workforce Training Fund Programs*
  
Learn About Accessing Grants to
Train Your Employees
 
Grants are available for companies of all sizes. FREE Information Session to area businesses:
  
Upcoming Information Session:
  • Wednesday, May 9, 2018
    • 8:30-10:30am, Trustees House, Galvani Room.
    • 591 Springs Road, Bedford, MA. 
    • Registration Deadline: Monday, May 7th.
  • Wednesday, June 20, 2018
    • 8:30-10:30am, Federal Building, Courtroom, Room 310.
    • 50 Kearney Square, Lowell, MA. 
    • Registration Deadline: Monday, June 18th.
 
To register, please contact Teresa at medinat@middlesex.mass.edu or 978-656-3009
  




What the Chamber did in April?

Multi- Chamber Networking Event


Chamber Connections Filming



 
WHO WANTS TO BE ON TV? 


We are so excited to offer our members another new FREE benefit!   We are partnering with o ur friends at Bedford TV to produce a monthly show called CHAMBER CONNECTIONS .  In addition to promoting our events/activities, Chamber members will be interviewed providing great exposure for their business. The show will be broadcast on Public channel and also through their website.  Contact the Chamber if you are interested in learning more.
 

Check out your fellow Chamber members

 
 
 
 
 

 
 
_________________________________________________________________
  
CHAMBER CALENDAR

May 2
Seminar on workplace Harrassment
Lexington Depot
13 Depot RD
Lexington, MA
8-10:30 
Click here to register

May 3
Beers, Business & BBQ
Young Professional After Hours
Law Offices of Michael J. Healey
133 Great Road
Bedford, MA
5:30 7:30 PM
$10.00 per person

May 5
Bedford Swap &  Drop Day
110 Great Road
Bedford, MA
11:00 AM- 2:00 PM

May 8
Women In Business
Series
Aloft Hotel
727 Marrett Road

Lexington, MA  02421
Speakers
Anne Rollins & Nicole Kafalas
May 10
Board of Directors Meeting
Town Center
12 Mudge Way
Bedford, MA
7:30 AM

May 15
Tee it Up Golf
The Patriot Golf Course
200 Springs Road
Bedford, MA
5-6 PM
contact Josh Franklin

May 31
Barrett Sotheby's Senior Prom Stroll
Town Common
4-6 PM

June 8
The 20th annual Middlesex Community College Celebrity
Forum
Jamie Lee Curtis
Lowell Auditorium 
Lowell, MA
Click here for tickets

June 13
MEGA Multi-Chamber Networking
& Google Analytics Presentation
Tewksbury CC
1880 Main Street, Tewksbury, MA
4:30 pm - 7:30 pm

July 12
Summer Walk About
Town Center
5:00 PM



 
Welcome New Members

RER Fuel
244 Nashua Road
Billerica, MA 01862
(978) 663-3303


 
 
2018 CHAMBER
MEMBERS

A Place for Words 
AFC Urgent Care
Atlantic Capital
Ametek
Atria Longmeadow Place
Baby Boomer Therapies
Baldwin Insurance
Barre 3
Barrett Sotherby's 
Baudanza Electric
Bedford Aesthetics & Nutrition
Bedford Car Wash
Bedford Childrens Center
Bedford Family Connection
Bedford Farms
Bedford Florist
Bedford Funeral Home
Bedford Historical Society
Bedford Motel
Bedford Orthodonics
Bedford Research Foundation
Bedford VA Research
Bernstien Development
Billerica Crossings
Brightview
Brookline Bank
Brown & Brown, P.C.
Callahans Karate Studio
Cambridge Savings Bank
Carlton & Duran, CPAs
Carlton Willard
Chestnut Dental
Christine Pinney Marketing
CouponSurfer
Creative Images of Boston
Database Quality
Diane Cadigan Hughes
Diane Bridgeman, DDS
Davidson Law
Debbie Spencer Group
Doubletree Bedford Glenn Hotel
Doyon's
DSA Publishing
EDCO Collaborative
Edward Jones Investments
Einstein's Workshop
Elite Freestyle Karate
EMD Millipore
Express Pizza
First Parish Church
Formulatrix
Fujifilm
GE Instrafracture
Great Meadow Dental
Great Road Gallery
Hanscom Federal Credit Union
Harold Nichols Insurance
Holi Indian Restaurant
Heritage Springs
Huntington Tax Partners
I Am Verizon
Instrumentation Labs
Jesse's Pet Care
Ken's Deli
Law Offices of Ken Gordon
Leary Auto
Learning Express & Play
Lexington Symphony
Lincoln Liquors
Live Life Well
MITRE
Mead Brothers
Metro Southwest Job Center
Middlesex Savings Bank
My Hometown Map
New England Nurseries
New York Life
Nichols Insurance Agency
Patriot Pediatrics
Peter Quinn Insurance
Primrose School
Organix Spa & Salon
Quinstance
Red Heat Tavern
Renzo Salon
Right At Home
Robyn Samuels Alliance Financial Services
Salem Five
Salon OZ
ServPro Lexington & Bedford
Short Stop Cafe
St. Michael's Parish Center
Suzanne & CO.
T & L Nail Salon
Techex
The Bedford Citizen
The Goddard School
The Well Effect 
Virsa de Punjab
 

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