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President's & CEO's Monthly Update
As we turn the calendar to September, there is plenty to celebrate from a busy summer, but no slowing down at the Chamber. The past several months have brought tremendous activity to our communities, and we are grateful to our members, sponsors, volunteers, municipal partners, and everyone who helped make another Greater Cape Ann summer a success. September brings a different kind of energy as we transition into a full schedule of fall events, member programming, community engagement, and workforce development. Read Full Update
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Tourism Council Monthly Report
The summer season is winding down, but while there is still plenty of the season left, the tourism community is already excited about the fun experiences in store for visitors to Greater Cape Ann this fall. That was the focus of the August 21 meeting of the Chamber’s Tourism Council, as members of the tourism community came together to look back on the summer so far, review final plans for the season, and discuss what’s ahead this fall for visitors to the region. Read Full Report
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Community Relations Monthly Update
September begins with an important opportunity for civic engagement, as Tuesday, September 1 is Primary Election Day across Massachusetts. Greater Cape Ann voters have a full slate of races to consider ahead of the General Election on November 3. We encourage everyone who is eligible to make their voice heard and participate in the election process.
As the busy summer season begins to wind down, the Chamber is looking ahead to fall and the holidays. We’re excited to announce a new regional marketing campaign, Harvest to Holidays, designed to showcase Greater Cape Ann throughout the shoulder season and encourage visitors to extend their stay while experiencing the abundance of activities, attractions and events our region offers throughout the fall and holiday season. Stay tuned for more information as the campaign rolls out. As part of this effort, we’re encouraging members to submit their fall and winter events to the Chamber calendar so they can be included in the promotion. Download Full Report
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Your Chamber Membership at Work: Share Your Events
Hosting a workshop, fundraiser, open house, live performance, exhibition, or community event? Make sure the Chamber knows about it!
You have a business to run, and promoting everything you have going on takes time. One way your Chamber membership can help is by extending the reach of your events through our regional marketing channels.
Whether you’re trying to reach visitors looking for things to do or promote a B2B event to the local business community, our calendars can help connect you with the right audience. Learn More
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Essex Town Center Vibrancy Survey
Sponsored by the Greater Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce and the Town of Essex
The Essex town center is the heart of its coastal and historic community, primarily encompassing Main St from John Wise Ave to Southern Ave. Please consider providing feedback to make the Essex town center more lively, welcoming, and economically strong. Your input will help shape plans and future improvements. Open to Essex residents, Essex businesses, community neighbors and visitors. Take the Survey
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Get ready to hit play, Cape Ann!
Recording slots for Chamber Members are now officially open! Spaces are limited, so do not wait to claim your spotlight and book your session. Please contact Colleen for details on how to book your interview.
Turn up the volume and help us kick off this exciting new chapter!
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Membership Drop-In Hours
Tuesdays from 10 AM to 12 PM
Are you a new member who would like to learn more about member benefits? Do you need a refresher on how to post events or update your profile? Members are invited to join us for Membership Drop-In Hours, a dedicated time for members to stop by and meet with Keri Conlon, Member and Visitor Services Manager. This is an opportunity to ask questions, review benefits, and discuss business concerns in a small setting. No appointment is needed! Don’t miss this opportunity to make the most of your membership! If these times don’t work, Keri would be happy to meet at your convenience.
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Festival by the Sea
August 1
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Atlantis Ribbon Cutting Tidekeepers Foundation
August 1
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Main Street Block Party
August 7
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Gloucester Waterfront Festival
August 15 & 16
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Party After Hours with Cape Ann Whale Watch
August 20
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Imagining Gloucester Ribbon Cutting
August 21
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Ipswich Downtown Tuesdays
August 4, 11, 18, 25
Left: Foo Family
Right: Clements Brothers
| | | Learn about the Creative CHIXX Conference on September 17 | | Meet Creative CHIXX Collective, a Manchester-by-the-Sea non-profit on a mission to help female entrepreneurs smash their goals without breaking the bank. Founded by two local business owners and backed by a 6-woman powerhouse board, they ditch the annoying subscription models for affordable workshops, strategy sessions, and totally free monthly meetups built on actual trust, not just networking fluff. The brains behind the operation ran a local fitness studio for 20 years and knows firsthand how lonely the solopreneur life can be, so she's channeling that community energy into helping women build real financial security. Next up, they are launching a 100-ticket women's business conference and planning to take their meetups on the road to local brick-and-mortar shops to drive direct neighborhood support. Read Full Profile | | |
Do You Want Your Business Featured in a Chamber Member Spotlight?
If you would like to be considered, please let us know by filling in the Member Spotlight Request Form. These spotlight opportunities are open to all members, on a first-come, first-served basis. 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 upload your news stories to your Member Portal or email to cindy@capeannchamber.com.
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Ruth Pino honored by state officials for positive regional impact
(From Gloucester Daily Times) Gloucester resident and longtime volunteer Ruth Pino was recently recognized for her efforts and named a 2026 Commonwealth Heroine.
Pino was one of 147, the largest number of heroines recognized by the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women, to be nominated for the award that recognizes women statewide who are improving the lives of those around them and enriching their communities.
Across Cape Ann, Pino has led several different organizations such as the Cape Ann Community Foundation, Gloucester Rotary Club, Greater Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce and served as tri-chair of the Gloucester 400+ Committee next to former Mayor Bruce Tobey and Bob Gillis.
“Ruth’s service is a reflection of her deep love for Gloucester and the people who call Cape Ann home,” said state Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr, R-Gloucester, who nominated her for the award. Read Full Article
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Three Contemporary Landscape Artists in New COSMOS Gallery Exhibition, Gloucester MA
For centuries, artists have looked to the landscape not simply to record the visible world, but to interpret it. From the idealized vistas of the Renaissance through Impressionism and abstraction, successive generations have reconsidered what a painting of a place can be. In contemporary painting, the landscape may remain recognizable—or become only the point of departure.
The next exhibition at COSMOS Gallery in Gloucester, Landings 3 Visions, opens September 4 and features three accomplished New England artists: Tom Glover, Vanessa Michalak, and Jan Roy. Each is an accomplished contemporary landscape artist, and together their paintings explore the territory between observation and interpretation. Read Full Press Release
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Fiona Brehony Explores Gloucester Harbor, Whale Song, and the Living Memory of Water
What can water remember? What stories are held within a harbor, a river, or an ocean and whose stories are we able to hear?
These questions are at the heart of the work of artist and writer Fiona Brehony, the current Goetemann Artist-in-Residence at Rocky Neck Art Colony. Based in Manchester, Britain, Brehony works across moving image, sound, and performance, collaborating with scientists, composers, historians, and communities to create poetic and inquisitive works that explore the relationships between people, places, and waterways. Read Full Press Release
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Maribeth Wilson is the new editor of the Ipswich Local News
(From The Local News) The Ipswich Local News has named Maribeth Wilson, assistant regional editor and editor of the regional health care team at Shaw Media, as its next editor. She is slated to start Sept. 7. Wilson succeeds Trevor Meek, who officially stepped down on Aug. 25 after a year at the helm and more than three years of dedicated reporting. Throughout her career, Wilson said she has been driven by the belief that local journalism is essential to informing the public, holding officials accountable, and strengthening community connection. Wilson will be relocating to Ipswich in early September. She will be living in town because she said it’s important for her to “be part of the community that way.” Read Full Article
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Cape Ann Animal Aid Pet of the Week
Happy-go-lucky Tina is a Labrador retriever mix just over 2 months old. She is full of playful puppy energy and always ready for her next adventure. Of course, after all that puppy excitement, she’ll need plenty of naps, cuddles, and downtime to recharge. Tina is looking for a family who is ready for all the fun, patience, training, and commitment that comes with raising a young puppy. Tina is ready to turn her next adventure into her forever adventure! Can that be with you? Visit www.capeannanimalaid.org for more information about the adoption process, Tina and all the other animals waiting for homes.
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Exclusive Member Deal from Vrtical Media: 360° Google Street View for $360
Enhance your business’s online presence with a professional 360° image added to your Google Street View profile. Chamber members can take advantage of this special offer—one immersive 360° photo for just $360. Give customers an inside look and stand out on Google Maps! Contact: jaysalois@vrticalmedia.io
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Month's Worth of Social Media Reels
Fast, easy, and affordable content creation without the stress. You walk into Streamography’s video production studio, ready to take your social media presence to the next level. No cluttered home setup, no loud background noise at your business, no shaky phone footage—just a professional, fully-equipped space waiting for you. The lights are perfect, the sound is crisp, and the camera is ready to roll. Learn More
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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 Sam Bevins at sam@capeannchamber.com
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