february 2015-spreads
TRANSCRIPT
Chairman’s Message ............... 2
Member News ....................... 2
Creative Haverhill ................... 3
Event Photos ......................... 5
New Members ....................... 5
Chamber News .......................7
President’s Message ...........Back
In This Issue...
Chamber Directory AVAILABLE NOW In-Print & Online
80 Merrimack Street, Floor 2 | Haverhill, MA 01830
The goal of the Chamber is to help your business thrive. We’re launching an exciting new program that encourages members and their employees to shop or do business with you.
A New Loyalty App
Introducing the Chamber Loyalty Mobile App.
To participate, members will provide a special
offer or discount.
Offers can be anything from discounts on goods and services to a free consultation. Your offer will be valid for one year and can be updated quarterly.
The App will be downloaded free of charge and used by members, their employees and the public. When your offer is redeemed, the App notifies you via email. All offers can be gifted and shared on Facebook.
Take advantage of the Chamber network and grow your business!
Getting started is easy, just think about what you wish to offer and contact ChamberPG at (978) 741-3344 or click below to send your email right now.
New Member Benefit
T he Chamber staff is working hard to get your brand new business directory and community guide out to you and your staff . This directory serves as a tool to navigate through the
Chamber’s many services. We encourage you to also use this as your primary means of select ing which organizat ions and businesses to work with, shop through, and trade business by. Your support of the local economy strengthens the efforts of the chamber to “Stay. Work. Play.” local ly and results in stronger economic prosperity for our region.
The chamber is dedicated to creat ing the optimal environment for our 14 communit ies to prosper. As a Chamber member and member of our community, we hope that you wil l take ful l advantage of the programs, act iv ism, tools and promotional opportunit ies avai lable to you as an appreciated part ic ipant in our organizat ion – from fun fest ivals to professional education and business development to consistently great networking!
What sounds better than a spring day spent “By The Sea”? How about an opportunity to engage with colleagues building camaraderie; learn personal and professional tips for success; and be inspired by a variety of renowned business women who have risen to the top of their field?
The Greater Haverhill Chamber of Commerce’s Winning Opportunities for Women (WOW) Committee has been working diligently on the planning and logistics for the 2015 WOW Conference which will take place on Friday, April 17 at the Blue Ocean Music Hall. Early Bird tickets are now available at www.haverhillchamber.com/wow. This year’s “By the Sea” theme is a play on both location and the sense of serenity and unity that attendees come back for year after year. The confirmed speakers will discuss their own personal hurdles and triumphs along their way up the corporate ladder. We are excited to have these highly motivating and successful women at this 19th annual conference: Liz Brunner, CEO Brunner Communications former News Anchor WCVB-TV;
Mary Ann Esposito, Chef, Star of “Ciao Italia” on PBS; Cindy Stumpo, CEO of C. Stumpo Development, Star of HGTV “Tough as Nails”; & Tricia Bradley, Founder, Serious Fun Productions, LLC.
Don’t miss your opportunity to join more than 300 other successful women for this day-long conference. Early bird pricing of $79 per person (tables of 5 for $375) will end March 1, 2015. The ticket price includes: Conference, Continental Breakfast, Lunch, and Private Shopping Experience. Seating is limited.
Want to reach over 300 professional women for your business! Become a WOW sponsor or be a vendor. Call 978-373-5663 for information.
February 2015
New Business Directory & Community Guide
19th Annual W.O.W. Conference "By the Sea!"
We are growing LEADERS at the Chamber of Commerce!As previously mentioned, The Greater Haverhill Chamber of Commerce moved in a new direction with the hiring of our new Director of Economic Development, Beverly Donovan. The main purpose of this position is to grow leadership within the Chamber and assist others who may have an interest in becoming more involved in the growth of our chamber and community.
Our new breakfast and luncheon seminars are designed to identify, educate and motivate potential leaders. As a business owner you are faced with challenges every day! GHCC brings people of diverse backgrounds together to share their experiences in an effort to assist you, our members, meet those challenges head on!
Our annual WOW Program (Winning Opportunities for Women), unites a pool of talented business professionals by giving them the opportunity to share their experiences, enhance their leadership skills, and develop professional networks that will assist them in their chosen careers.
Lastly, engaging in a committee, moving into a leadership role within a committee and participation in “Leads to Success” lunches are all steps toward advancement into Chamber leadership, and conversely community leadership. Future Board Members are made from today’s active members!
I have shared only small examples of programs being offered by the Greater Haverhill Chamber of Commerce new leadership team starting with our president Stacey Bruzzese. Check our website for a comprehensive lists of activities.
Success is all about growing and empowering others! Hope to see you soon at our many upcoming events!
Have a magical Valentine’s Day!
Jean C. Poth, Chairman of the Board
ValleyWorks Career Center to host “Clipper City Job Fair” The ValleyWorks Career Center invites local employers to participate in the Clipper City Job Fair, to be held at the Masonic Hall located at 31 Green Street, Newburyport, MA. The Event will be held on Thursday, March 12th, 2015, from 10:00 am to 1:00 p.m. There is easy access and plenty of municipal parking available for Job Seekers and participating Employers. The last event drew hundreds of qualified Job Seekers from Massachusetts and New Hampshire.
The ValleyWorks Career Center will also continue to strive to strengthen our relationships with our very important Employer Customers by providing valued added Employer Services throughout 2015.
Community Action Hosts Community Forum on Adult Education John Cuneo, Executive Director of Community Action, Inc. of Greater Haverhill, announced that CAI will host a forum on adult education on Friday, 2/13/15 from 10 AM to 12 PM at the
Haverhill Public Library.
The forum will provide a vehicle to plan and improve services that will advance the economic status of low-income adult learners and therefore improve the economic status of the community as a whole.
Area businesses, nonprofit organizations and public officials are invited to participate in this forum. Mayor Jim Fiorentini will open the discussion. Other elected officials including Senator Kathleen O’Connor-Ives, Representative Brian Dempsey, Representative Diana DiZoglio and Representative Linda Dean Campbell have also been invited.
A presentation on the correlation between poverty and low literacy will be shown followed by discussions about available resources, services and gaps and how they affect businesses and the community in Haverhill.
Buttonwoods Announces “CURATE YOUR OWN EXHIBIT” Contest!
Have you ever wanted to curate your own exhibit? Do you have a collection of objects you would like the community to enjoy? Here is your opportunity! Using your own artifacts and ideas, pitch a story line for an exhibit.
Submit your proposal by February 28. Spend March and April planning your exhibit with the Buttonwoods’ Curator. Install your exhibit the last two week of June. And your exhibit will be on view for the month of July.
Your proposal should include a clear theme or story line and the type of artifacts you would like to exhibit. You may include artifacts from the Buttonwoods’ collection where possible.
To submit your proposal or for more information please email Jan Williams, Curator at [email protected] or direct questions to 978-374-4626. This contest is open to ages 13 and older.
Chamber Honors Groups Inc. With Business of the Month DistinctionIn recognition of their quality business practices and ongoing efforts to provide exceptional travel experiences to their customers while serving a distinctive role in the community, the Greater Haverhill Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce Groups, Inc. as the January 2015 Business of the Month.
For nearly 30 years, Susan R. Schumacher, President of Groups, Inc. has made it her mission is to provide creative group tours and cruises for pleasure and fund raising. As a 40+ year veteran of the travel industry, Susan provides professional group tour planning, utilizing air, cruise, rail or motor coach to any destination.
Groups, Inc.’s commitment to the community is emphasized with Susan‘s outstanding contributions to the Chamber and the local area over the past year. Most notably, Susan’s participation and contribution to Ruth’s House as a member of the Board of Director has helped bring awareness to this vital organization.
Member News
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President’s Message
The Chamber staff has been hard at work making new business connections and partnering with local business resource organizations to assist our membership in further promoting their business and developing extensive professional networks.
New this month are two partnerships that we would like to share. It is my hope that you will take advantage of the opportunities that these new relationships provide. First is a collaborative amongst the chambers across the North of Boston region - an Initiative to highlight strengths throughout the region, engage in discussions about Chamber missions and goals, and to start the process of real and meaningful regional business collaborations.
What this means for our members is an ability to participate in events and activities offered by partnering chambers at member pricing. We are excited that our members can now count on an “extended membership” when visiting reciprocating chambers from Cape Ann to Revere. Truly an opportunity to build your business beyond the Greater Haverhill area.Second is a new relationship with the Better Business Bureau. This collaborative will provide a host of services
to our members, including: FREE business and advertising reviews. This service allows small business owners to remedy fraudulent or unlawful items in their advertising BEFORE launching a campaign so they can steer clear of any legal actions.
In addition, there are now even more seminars & workshops available to our members on a variety of topics including: Scams, Fraud & Identity Theft; Ethics & Youth; and Smart Investing. Lastly, for those interested in joining the BBB for accreditation or credibility, GHCC members will receive a $60 discount on joining.
For more information on these new collaborations, or to get a personal introduction to someone who can assist you in networking, growing your business or educating yourself and staff please contact me at the Chamber office. 978-373-5663.
Stacey L. BruzzesePresident
Congratulations!2014-2015 Business Award winners
to be honored at the 25th Annual Business Awards Breakfast.
Please join us in honoring the following deserving businesses:
Purchase Tickets TODAY!Event: February 13, 2015 | 7:30 to 9:30 a.m.
Atkinson Resort & Country Club. Tickets $40/person include a buffet breakfast, keynote speaker, Amy LaBelle of LaBelle
Winery, and awards presentations.
RSVP to Beth Morrow, Office & Projects Manager, at 978-373-5663 or [email protected]. www.haverhillchamber.com.
Planes, Trains, Automobiles & More!
The Greater Haverhill region is uniquely physically positioned to strengthen its economic position. Situated between two major interstate highways – Routes 495 and 95 – and with easy access to commuter rail, bus routes and several airports of varying size, the region is ripe for expanded commercial development and attracting an eager workforce. The possibility of future transportation and recreational uses of the Merrimack River are also being explored as renewed interest in riverfront development comes forward.
At the hub of the Greater Haverhill Chamber of Commerce’s service area lies Haverhill, where visitors and residents alike will find a walkable downtown just steps away from the train station on Washington Street, where they can easily walk to restaurants and spas, browse the many shops in the Riverfront Cultural District or relax by the river at Riverfront Park. The new Harbor Place development just east of central downtown, at the end of Merrimack Street, promises an expanded river walk and new commercial, office and residential development, which is sure to draw people to this expanding urban oasis. The rail-trail loop is also being worked on, and will provide even more transportation and recreational activities.
All of this is great news! As cities across the country re-think street plans (and recover from the devastation of
urban renewal projects decades in the past), they are incorporating multiple transportation modes, planning for more pedestrian/bike/commuter options. This is important, as society’s attitudes toward automobile transportation has been slowly transforming. Younger adults are waiting longer to get their licenses, and the total number of miles that Americans drive yearly has gone down. Younger adults and empty nesters are flocking to cities to live and work in a walkable environment where the culture is rich and housing choices are varied. Haverhill has lots of opportunity to embrace these trends and is doing so on a daily basis.
Of course, for some, the auto will be the transportation mode of choice and necessity. For the smaller communities that round out the region of the Greater Haverhill Chamber of Commerce, which includes Boxford, Georgetown, Groveland, Merrimack and West Newbury in Massachusetts and Atkinson, Danville, East Kingston, Hampstead, Kingston, Newton, Plaistow and Sandown, downtown Haverhill offers a wide variety of entertainment, shopping, service and recreational opportunities that may not be as abundant in their communities. In return, those towns offer an escape to a more rural environment for their more urban neighbors, or remote housing locations for the workers who come into the hub each day. In short – our communities need each other in order to each maintain their respective
personalities and remain vibrant, and getting there is half the fun!
Beverly Donovan, Dir. of Economic Development
2015 is shaping up to be an incredible year for Creative Haverhill, the Riverfront Cultural District, and Haverhill as a whole! As construction begins on the Harbor Place project, and plans are made for the newly designated Transformative Development District on Merrimack Street, the Washington Street end of the downtown will remain unscathed. The Riverfront Cultural District triangle of Washington Street, Essex Street, and Railroad Square will boast the return of traditional festivals, as well as new programs, new public art projects, and creative businesses cropping up at every turn! Perhaps most exciting is the return of the Greater Haverhill Chamber of Commerce’s KidsFEST, with a new ART twist, which will makes its return to downtown Haverhill on May 2, 2015. Creative Haverhill is thrilled to partner with the Greater Haverhill Chamber of Commerce to make this year’s Kids-ART-Fest a truly creative and fun-filled experience for kids and adults of all ages. Our plan is to work with local organizations and vendors to offer a variety of art-related activities, touching on a wide range of disciplines- dancing, theater, puppetry, improvisation, painting, poetry, recycled art, sculpture, hat-making, music, film, and more! You won’t want to miss this years’ Kids-ART-Fest!
Jenny Arndt, Art & Culture Coordinator
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MBTA station is easily accessible and provides parking for 159 commuters. This commuter rail line provides transportation directly into North Station, Boston
The new parking garage, conveniently located in railroad square can accommodate MVRTA users as well as visitors to the downtown area. Parking at the MVRTA garage on Granite Street is $1.00 per hour.
Creative Haverhill is proud to report that we have received $1,350 in grants from the Haverhill Cultural Council, a local agency, which is supported the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency for two upcoming programs this year. On February 26, 2015, we will be hosting a “Poetry Open Mic Night” at the Paint and Wine Lounge on Wingate Street. This event is open to the public, and will feature amateur performances from local poets and writers of all ages. We hope you’ll join us for a fun evening of poetry, prose, short stories, and spoken word!
One of Creative Haverhill’s most popular groups, the Haverhill Artist Connection continues to gather on the third Thursday of each month to
collaborate on community projects and ways to support the local artist community in Haverhill. At our most recent meeting, ideas were put forth for a regular artisans marketplace similar in format to the very popular Haverhill
Farmer’s Market, which would allow local artists to sell their goods at a location downtown each month. If you would like to connect with the Haverhill Artist Connection, you can search for the group on Facebook and request to be added.
In an effort to showcase some of the best businesses in the Riverfront Cultural District, we’ve recently started promoting an HRCD Business of the Week. These businesses are nominated by their fans, and receive one full week of Facebook promotions from the Riverfront Cultural District
Facebook page. So far, the response has been overwhelmingly positive, and businesses are seeing more “likes” and visits. Our January winners included Wicked Big Café, Positive Images Gallery, The Artist Café, The Color Mint, and Be Imagine Music Studio. To nominate your favorite HRCD business, leave a post on
the Haverhill Riverfront Cultural District Facebook page, or email [email protected]!
This summer, look out for our “Movies by the River” outdoor movie series, where we’ll be setting up a large movie screen and playing some popular family films downtown each Thursday throughout the summer! Bring a chair or a blanket, and enjoy a fun, FREE movie under the stars!
Cultural District Gets Creative
HAC Artisan Marketplace
Open Mic for Poets
Cultural Business of the Week
Summer Movies by the River
Business After Hours Tropical Escape
Feb. 19, 2015 | 5:30 - 7:30 PMNunan Florist & Greenhouse269 Central St, Georgetown
RSVP to 978.373-5663
Business Before Hours Eye-Opener
Feb. 18, 2015 | 8:00 AMCareer Resources, Inc.
Veteran’s Employment Services80 Merrimack St., Haverhill
RSVP to 978.373-5663
BE SEEN!
Promote YourPRODUCT, SERVICE &
BUSINESSAffordable Space Here!
Call 978-373-5663 for details
Better Business Bureau Serving Eastern MA, ME, RI & VTPaula Fleming
Casa Blanca Mexican Restaurant HaverhillAlex Vargas
www.casablancamexica.com
Legal ShieldBev DeLuca
www.BDeluca45.legalshieldassociate.com
Salem Co-operative BankBonnie Breen
www.salemcoop.com
Shawmut Property ManagementAndrew Raynor
www.shawmutpm.com
The Cork StopFrank Stamos
www.thecorkstop.com
Welcome NEW MEMBERS
Congratulations to Downtown Haverhill’s newest restaurantCASA BLANCA MEXICAN RESTAURANT
Top: Gary Jaffarian, Jaffarian Auto; Lori McHugh, Cedardale & Cindy Carver, Salem Co-op Above: Nancy Montville, LegalShield & Carolyn Jackson, Cedardale
Left: Elaine Barker, Paper Potpourri & grand daughter Sara; Above: Barbara Rowell, Sullivan & Bille & Pam Conte, Conte Electric
Top Left: Ratchet Head techni-cal team Above Right: One of Ratchet Head’s many endurance race cars Below: Miquel Aponte-Rias, Ratchet Head & Jean McCann, Pentucket Bank
Above: Beth Morrow & Bev Donovan, GHCC help register guests, Right: Laurie Cafiso , & Valeri Haggett, Send Out Cards
Above: Michelle Apprahamian, Palmer Gas/Ermer Oil & Maria Tuszinski, AFLAC; Right: A Ratchet Head Pro Car reflects their logo behind, Below: Paul Szot, CGM Technologies goes for a “test drive”
Right: Alex Vargas, Owner, Casa Blanca cuts a ribbon for the Grand Opening of the 3 Essex Street loca-tion surrounded by GHCC directors and members
Left: Jean Poth, NECC & Chairman of the Board, GHCC & Stacey Bruzzese, President
pose with a Mariachi Band; Below Left: Jefferson Davis, Coldwell Banker shows
off his raffle winnings a prize pack full of Margarita making items and a Casa
Blanca T-shirt.
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Above: Nancy Montville, Legal Shield; Kelley Contarino, & Kelly Tahan, Align Credit Union. Below: Jefferson Davis, Coldwell Banker, going for a “test drive”
Thank you RENEWING MEMBERS
Traggorth Companies LLCDave Traggorth
www.traggorthcompanies.com
Elder Services of Merrimack Valley, Inc.Pati Fernandezwww.esmv.org
Attorney John G. ClearyJohn Cleary
Palmer Gas Company/Ermer Oil Co.Bill Ermer
www.palmergasco.com
Scott CompaniesJoseph Scott
www.scott-companies.net
Ashley’s Hallmark ShopLynda Murray
hallmarkgc.com
Lamont Trucking CompanyLamont Rodger
Brian S. Dempsey Insurance AgencyBrian Dempsey
www.dempseyinsuranceagency.com
SFantini Baking Co.Joseph Fantini
www.fantinibakery.com
Jaffarian Volvo Toyota ScionGary Jaffarian
www.jaffarian.com
Merrimack Valley Planning CommissionDennis DiZogliowww.mvpc.org
Jennifer A. Borislow Insurance Agency, Inc. Jennifer Borislow
www.borislow.com
Bradford LabsJeff Fugere
www.dltechnology.com
Galinsky Plumbing & Heating, Inc.Stephen C. Galinsky
978.374.1743
Zorvino VineyardsTom Zack
www.zorvino.com
Nunan Florist & GreenhousesStephen L. Flynn
www.nunans.com
Carr, Staples & Accardi, P.C.Paul M. Accardi
www.carrstaplesaccardi.com
Thank you RENEWING MEMBERS
Left: Brenda Berkholder, Nichols Village & son from Team Ratchet Head; Linda Kokaras, Nichols Village & Pam Perron, Bethany Homes