Monthly Edition - September 6, 2023 | |
Please note that due to the Labor Day Holiday, Soundings Events will be sent on Thursday, September 7 | |
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With Labor Day Weekend and the busyness of the summer season behind us, we have a moment to pause and reflect. Despite the inconsistent weather and the second rainiest summer on record, many of our businesses reported robust sales and a steady stream of visitors from local cities and towns, as well as from around the country and the globe.
Read Full Report
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It’s hard to believe Labor Day, and the summer of 2023 is in the rearview mirror. Despite multiple challenges – including the rain, and with the rain, cancellations, and rebooking, as well as ongoing labor challenges – our tourism community continues to thrive. Although official statistics are not yet in, by most accounts’ businesses have reported a successful season. Our region continues to see a mix of visitors from nearby cities and towns, across the northeast region, and increasingly across the nation and around the world.
Read Full Report
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Meet Julie Carver - Your New Director of Member Services
Julie comes to us with an extensive background in client relations, sales, and management. Julie is a long time North Shore resident who currently resides in Manchester-by-the-Sea. She embraces the Chamber's mission by growing the membership through recruiting, on-boarding new members and to serving and supporting existing members.
Please join us in welcoming Julie to the Greater Cape Ann Chamber family. Sign up for Coffee & Connections on Thursday, September 7 to say hello and welcome!
Julie may be reached at julie@capeannchamber.com.
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Only 10 Days until the 2nd Annual Blackburn Brew Fest!
We’re excited to welcome back dozens of breweries to Gloucester for this historic occasion. With the potential of bringing 1500 visitors to Gloucester and your businesses on Saturday, September 16, we are looking to the local community to help spread the word!
Help Us Promote the Blackburn Brew Fest through Your Social Media Channels
We have created a 2023 Blackburn Brew Fest Promotional Toolkit to help with promote on social media. This includes images as well as suggested industry-specific posts. Any help you can provide in promoting this event would be greatly appreciated.
Download Toolkit PDF | Download Flyer | Download Images
Presented by the Greater Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce and NEXT GEN Young Professionals benefiting the Cape Ann Community Foundation. Learn More & Buy Tickets
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Coffee & Connections
Thursday, September 7
9 -10 AM
Join us tomorrow for our monthly virtual networking session. This is a great chance to meet members and introduce your business to others.
Register Today!
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36th Annual Love Greater Cape Ann Fundraising Auction
Thursday, September 28 | 5 - 10 PM
Cruiseport Gloucester
$100 per person - Table of 10 $1000
You are cordially invited to join us at the 36th Annual Love Greater Cape Ann Auction on September 28. We Love Greater Cape Ann and work hard to help support our Community in many ways. Your attendance and generous bidding will help the Chamber build for the future of this special place where we live, work and play.
Everyone’s favorite auctioneer, Lynne Zink, and her daughter Anna are thrilled to be returning to their favorite place and will be leading us through a fun & exciting night including:
- Live Auction
- Silent Auction
- Fund the Future Paddle Raise
- Heads & Tails Game
The evening will also include passed hors d'oeuvres, a plated dinner, and a cash bar.
Limited Seating - Get Your Tickets Today
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The second & third Main Street Block Parties took place on August 12 and September 1.
Thank you to all participants and sponsors who helped create two more special nights on Main Street! See you next summer!
Block Party #3 Photos
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Businesswomen's Sunset Sail
While the weather was not the best for viewing a spectacular sunset (or any sunset at all), the company aboard Schooner Adventure more than made up for it! Dozens of local Greater Cape Ann Businesswomen and men, set sail on Thursday, August 17 for a networking cruise around Gloucester harbor. All enjoyed a light dinner, libations, and socializing. Thank you to our sponsors Beauport Hospitality Group, Cape Ann Savings Bank and Schooner Adventure.
View Photos
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Rockport Fall Town Meeting
Monday, September 11 @ 5:30 PM, Rockport High School Auditorium
Download Warrant
Ipswich Special Town Meeting
Monday, October 23 @ 7 PM, Ipswich Middle/High School
Download Draft Warrant
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Press Release: Gloucester400+ Indigenous Heritage Film Festival
The Indigenous Heritage Film Festival is a week-long cinema celebration of the Indigenous history and cultural contributions of Cape Ann and North America's earliest inhabitants. More than 30 films from multiple genres, including documentaries, narrative, shorts, animation, and drama, will be screened. All films will be by and/or about Indigenous Peoples and will be artistically and culturally significant. Attendees can enjoy hearing from and questioning Indigenous filmmakers, screenwriters, local Indigenous film collaborators, and historians in multiple post-viewing feedback opportunities.
Read Full Press Release | Learn More
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Gloucester Seeking Community Input for Master Plan
(From Gloucester Daily Times) The first Community Open House on the planning initiative for Gloucester’s Comprehensive Plan is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 9, from 10 a.m. to noon in Kyrouz Auditorium in City Hall, 9 Dale Ave. The Open House is free to attend and will have activities for all ages, including a presentation from the consultant team at 11 a.m., which will be recorded by 1623 Studios.
Those drafting Gloucester’s Comprehensive Plan to help guide the 400-year-old seaport’s development over the next decade are looking for the community’s input. During the open house, community members will be invited to engage in a variety of interactive stations to share their hopes, concerns and visions for the city’s future.
See Current Initiatives under Community Development for More Information
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Cape Ann Animal Aid Pet of the Week
Cape Ann Animal Aid is featuring Marilla as a part of its Extended Stay Program to help her find her forever home. Marilla’s adoption fee is reduced to $200 and includes three months of heartworm/flea/tick prevention along with a consult with the shelter behavior associate to help ensure success with her new family. She is a 5.5-year-old, 70-pound girl with a cuddly nature. Marilla is available to meet by appointment. Submit an application at CapeAnnAnimalAid.org/Adopt and an adoption counselor will reach out to discuss Marilla and set up a meeting.
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| SCORE Women's Business Summit: Join SCORE for an empowering event with like-minded women entrepreneurs focused on finding pathways to successful business outcomes. Women entrepreneurs face various common and distinct challenges whether its boldly pursuing new opportunities or facing difficult situations when dealing with uncomfortable circumstances. The program offers solutions, tips, and tricks to expand your comfort zone, increase confidence, and accelerate your business and personal success. Learn More & Register | | Department of Industrial Accidents (DIA) awards up to $25,000 to various organizations to fund workplace safety training. Eligible employers within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts covered by the Massachusetts Workers’ Compensation Law (MGL CH. 152) may qualify for funding. | | The Workforce Training Fund Express Program is designed to help businesses respond quickly to change and keep employees engaged. With bite-size grants for just-in-time training and no waiting periods between grants, Express is our fastest path to funding, enhanced with an even more flexible directory of training options and 6 quick steps to success. | | Please check the Business Resources Category in Chamber Blog for Business Resources available to the Cape Ann region! | | |
Continuing Hot Deals
Local Sales, Discounts & Promotions
Posting a Shop Our Member deal is a great way to gain exposure for your business by highlighting your special promotions. Take advantage of this FREE member benefit and list yours today by logging into your account!
*Contact Sam if you need assistance
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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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