Upcoming Division Meetings
Ipswich Division Meeting: Friday, March 1 | 8 - 9 AM @ Ipswich Town Hall Meeting Room A
Manchester Division Meeting: Thursday, March 14 | 8:30 - 9:30 AM @ Manchester Legion
Rockport Division Meeting: Monday, March 25 | 5:30 - 6:30 PM @ Rockport Townhall Basement Conference Room
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Publication Advertising will be Closing Soon
Don't miss out on your chance to be in the hands of thousands of visitors this year. The 2024/2025 Greater Cape Ann Guide & Directory, Greater Cape Ann Map, and Rockport Visitors Map are distributed throughout all communities, as well as placed in prime travel locations in Boston, New England, and New York. These year-long publications provide continuous exposure for your business from May through the following April. To learn more about publication advertising opportunities, please reach out to Julie Carver or Sam Bevins as soon as possible. Download 2024 Media Kit
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Attention New Members
Please join us at the New Member Reception on Thursday, February 29 from 5 - 7 PM at the Chamber office for an informal networking and information session regarding your Chamber membership, what it offers, and how to maximize your benefits. The session is also open to any member who would like a "refresher" on member benefits. Please Register Here
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Please join the Greater Cape Ann Chamber on Thursday, March 7 at Cake Ann for our annual Economic Outlook Breakfast featuring guest speaker, Secretary Lauren E. Jones, from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development. Secretary Jones will discuss the State Workforce Plan, programs, and initiatives to help develop, attract, and retain talent, (i.e. registered apprenticeship, WCTF grants), and look ahead into FY’25.
Limited Seating Remains - Register Today to Reserve Your Spot
Download Flyer
Presenting Sponsor: National Grid
Gold Sponsors: Applied Materials, Beauport Financial Services, Cape Ann Savings Bank
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Free Participation for Businesses - Sign Up Today
Are you a business looking to recruit and train young talent? If so, please consider taking part in this important event for our Greater Cape Ann high school students. Last year we had 80 colleges and over 40 businesses represented. Please contact Colleen at colleen@capeannchamber.com for participation information.
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Solopreneur Member Profile | |
This week, learn about Jay Salois and his company, Vrtical Media.
VRtical Media creates custom 360° Virtual Tours and Virtual Experiences. Jay provides a new marketing strategy to create accurate lead pipelines for businesses like wedding/event venues, act as an archiving mechanism for institutions like museums or historic properties, and create accessibility for more people who otherwise may not be able to visit a location.
Read More
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Member Spotlights are Coming Back | |
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Do You Want Your Business Featured in a Chamber Member Spotlight?
Starting next month, we are resurrecting the Chamber Member Spotlights on our website blog and in our Soundings Business newsletters. These spotlight opportunities are open to all members, on a first-come, first-served basis. If you would like to be considered, please let us know by filling in the Member Spotlight Request Form. Once we receive your request form and confirm that you are a member in good standing, we will send you a profile questionnaire.
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Do you have a news story or helpful resource to share? If so, send it to us by Monday of each week and we will try to include it in our Tuesday Business Soundings!
Please email news stories and press releases to cindy@capeannchamber.com
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Congratulations to Pauline Bresnahan on the 25th Anniversary of Pauline's Gifts
“25 years later, I am still enjoying the experience,” she says. “It’s been a wonderful journey.I can’t believe it’s been 25 years since we renovated the building now known as Pauline's Gifts. I’m so thankful for the support of my family and the community. It’s a tremendous feeling of satisfaction to see so many loyal customers return year after year and to have generations of customers share their experiences with me.” Read the Full Article on Seaside Retailer
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Volunteer at the 14th Annual Credit for Life Fair on May 23!
The Institution for Savings invites area professionals to volunteer at the 14th Annual Credit for Life Fair on Thursday, May 23rd from 9:15 am -12:30 pm. IFS is excited to host at a new location this year, Salem State University’s O’Keefe Center, to accommodate the success and growth of the fair. This annual event hosts 1,000+ high school juniors from across the North Shore as they assume the roles of 25-year-old adults and ‘spend’ their monthly ‘salaries’ on everything they need.
Volunteers staff booths as part of the student's journey to manage everything from housing, furniture, and utilities to lifestyle, transportation, wellness, and more. IFS will provide everything you need, including orientations ahead of the event. Check out this video for a glimpse into this fun, interactive experience that helps teach students real-life skills that will benefit them for a lifetime – before they leave high school! A common phrase heard from volunteers after this event is, “we wish we learned this when we were their age!” Email Mary Anne Clancy at mclancy@ifs.bank to sign up.
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Backpack Donation Partnership Between Rotary and ME Regional High School
(From The Cricket) The Manchester-Essex Rotary Club is partnering with Manchester-Essex Regional High School’s Comfort Cases club to collect gently used or new adult-size backpacks for The Grace Center now through March 15. Parents and students may drop off gently used or new backpacks in a bin outside of the Middle and High School office. Community members without students in the school system may donate through the Rotary Club. Info at info@manchesteressexrotary.org
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Cape Ann Animal Aid Pet of the Week
Gemini is a sweet, loving 7-month-old Labrador retriever mix. This spayed girl is extremely anxious at the shelter. She needs an experienced owner and a friendly confident dog to play and learn from. Her previous foster said she did well in her crate but will need to be introduced to it again in a home setting. She is pretty well house-trained but will need a refresher in a new home. Gemini is part of Cape Ann Animal Aid’s extended stay club with a reduced adoption fee of $200. Fill out an application at https://capeannanimalaid.org/adopt.htm. Visit www.capeannanimalaid.org for more information about Gemini and all the other animals waiting for homes
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Better than Valentine's for everyday in your relationship. Your relationship deserves focused attention to make it the best it can possibly be! Learn More | |
15% off Romantic Kayak Tours to Lighthouses and Islands off the coast of Rockport from North Shore Adventures. Picture yourself at the top of a lighthouse next to the one you love, drink in hand, listening to the waves crash.
Learn More
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Get FREE Vending Machines For Your Business, School, or Health Facility.
Learn More
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Reuse and Recycling Business Development Grants
MassDEP just released its new application for Reuse and Recycling Business Development Grants. This program provides grants to Massachusetts businesses and non-profit organizations to expand recycling, reuse, and composting infrastructure in Massachusetts.
Target materials include container glass, reusable materials (furniture, building materials, other bulky items, reusable food service ware), construction & demolition materials (wood, gypsum wallboard or asphalt shingles), textiles (clothing, footwear, bedding, towels, curtains, and fabric), food materials, mattresses. Applications are due March 29, 2024. Apply Here
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Resource Guide for Businesses: Connecting Your Businesses to the Services You Need
This guide serves as an overview of resources such as organizations and programs, which offer benefits and services to address the workforce development and expansion needs of businesses and employers in Massachusetts.
The guide is organized into five main categories:
1. Recruiting and hiring
2. Training, consultation, and workplace safety
3. Layoff aversion and management
4. Business development and partnerships
5. Business compliance
Download PDF Copy of Guide
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We extend a big thank you to our supporting sponsors.
If you are interested in promoting with the Greater Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce and sponsoring this newsletter, please contact Steve Buckley at steve@capeannchamber.com
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