B TO B TRADE SHOW SELLING FAST Exhibit space for this year’s Androscoggin Business to Business Trade show on Thursday, June 9 th at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee is selling fast, but still available! This years theme is “Destination: Innovation,” and marks the show’s 16 th consecutive performance. The event, organized by the Lewiston-Auburn Economic Growth Council is Maine’s largest one-day busi- ness show, attracting nearly 2,500 attendees and 200 exhibitors from around the state each year. Widely considered the “Gold Standard” of trade shows in the State of Maine, this year’s show expects to outperform years past! Kicking off the morning at 7:15 a.m., the Chamber Breakfast will be held at Bates College Commons on Central Avenue with special guest speaker Michael Austermeier. Austermeier will speak about his role as project manager in charge of refurbishing a vintage 1950’s-era Lockheed Superstar Starliner aircraft for Lufthansa Technic. Austermeier will address the crowd about this exciting restoration project currently underway at the Auburn- Lewiston Municipal Airport. Austermeier will also emphasize how local Lufthansa mechanics, through their innovation, have been able to ensure the plane is refurbished to be virtu- ally identical to the moment the classic aircraft rolled off the assembly line. Only one of four left in the world, Lufthansa plans to use the airliner for VIP rentals and regular passenger flights once the aircraft is airworthy. This year’s event also features a number of other highlights including an After Hours bash featuring the culinary delights of Schooner Estates, The Great American Grill of the Hilton Garden Inn Auburn Riverwatch, Rolly’s Diner and Three One Café. Show hours are from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The show has grown in sophistication and size over the past 15 years with more professional exhibits, modern services, huge door prizes and annual surprises. The LAEGC will continue their annual media blitz advertis- ing in print, broadcast and radio markets in southern, central, and midcoast Maine providing widespread promotion. The 16 th annual Business to Business Trade Show is made possible by our Gold Sponsors WGME-13, Fairpoint Communications, the Sun Journal, Gleason Radio Group sta- tions WTME, WOXO, and WEZR 1240, Nassau Broadcasting stations Frank FM, The Bone, WBACH, The Wolf and Oldies Channel AM 870 and AM 1470. Prime Sponsors include Mainebiz and St. Mary’s Health System. Exhibit space is still available, with special prices offered to Androscoggin County Chamber members. For more informa- tion, contact the Lewiston-Auburn Economic Growth Council at 784-0161 or visit www.economicgrowth.org. NEW COMMUNITY MAP UNFOLDS TO SHOW IT REALLY IS HAPPENING HERE IN THE L/A AREA The Androscoggin County Chamber of Commerce is announcing the availability of the new community map. Unlike The Chamber’s previously produced community maps which were renewed every 4 to 5 years focusing on business- es and residents new to the area, this edition of the map has been redesigned to add another dimension: to make it easier for visitors to the area to find our attractions. The new map is the product of over two years of work by The Chamber’s Regional Image Committee. Not only will this new map serve the tra- ditional audiences targeted by the previous maps, it is designed to help a new group of tourists who come to the L/A area to take advantage of all of our cul- tural, historical and enter- tainment venues. One side of the map is devoted to helping visitors find these attractions; the other to new residents and businesses. According to Regional Image Committee Co-Chair Jan Barrett, “From destina- tion restaurants to art gal- leries to live theaters and live music venues to dance performances to festivals to muse- ums and historical attractions to outdoor recreation, the L/A area has it all! New visitors are finding us every day. The new map helps our tourists find where they want to go in the L/A area much more easily.” Chamber President Chip Morrison is using the new map in his community presentations on how the L/A area has changed. Holding the new map up for all to see he said, “This map paints the correct picture of the modern L/A area – a place where people from around Maine and New England and beyond come for fun and leisure activities.” In addition to the traditional hard copy version, the map will be available on line at www.villageprofile.com and on The Chamber web- site in approximately 60 days. Local businesses and residents can pick up copies of this new map at The Chamber office located in the Business Service Center at KeyBank Plaza, 415 Lisbon Street in Lewiston. 2 0 1 1 T HE C HAMBER N E W S INSIDE: Chair’s Comments Advocacy Survey Moxie Festival Calendar of Events Liberty Festival Best Places to Work Competition Regional Image Committee What’s Up Chamber Fairy Tale Adopt-A-Spot LAEGC Dinner Job Fair Member in Focus Dining & Entertainment Guide MAY THE BUSINESS SERVICE CENTER AT KEYBANK PLAZA P.O. BOX 59 LEWISTON, ME 04243-0059 PH: (207) 783-2249 F AX: (207) 783-4481 WEBSITE: WWW.ANDROSCOGGINCOUNTY .COM E-MAIL: INFO@ANDROSCOGGINCOUNTY .COM P A G E 1 N E W S L E T T E R OF THE ANDROSCOGGIN COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Transcript
B TO B TRADE SHOW SELLING FASTExhibit space for this year’s Androscoggin Business toBusiness Trade show on Thursday, June 9th at theAndroscoggin Bank Colisee is selling fast, but still available!
This years theme is“Destination: Innovation,”and marks the show’s 16th
consecutive performance.The event, organized by theLewiston-Auburn
Economic Growth Council is Maine’s largest one-day busi-ness show, attracting nearly 2,500 attendees and 200exhibitors from around the state each year. Widely consideredthe “Gold Standard” of trade shows in the State of Maine,this year’s show expects to outperform years past!
Kicking off the morning at 7:15 a.m., the Chamber Breakfastwill be held at Bates College Commons on Central Avenuewith special guest speaker Michael Austermeier. Austermeierwill speak about his role as project manager in charge ofrefurbishing a vintage 1950’s-era Lockheed SuperstarStarliner aircraft for Lufthansa Technic.
Austermeier will address the crowd about this excitingrestoration project currently underway at the Auburn-Lewiston Municipal Airport. Austermeier will also emphasizehow local Lufthansa mechanics, through their innovation,have been able to ensure the plane is refurbished to be virtu-ally identical to the moment the classic aircraft rolled off theassembly line. Only one of four left in the world, Lufthansaplans to use the airliner for VIP rentals and regular passengerflights once the aircraft is airworthy.
This year’s event also features a number of other highlightsincluding an After Hours bash featuring the culinary delightsof Schooner Estates, The Great American Grill of the HiltonGarden Inn Auburn Riverwatch, Rolly’s Diner and Three OneCafé. Show hours are from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The showhas grown in sophistication and size over the past 15 yearswith more professional exhibits, modern services, huge doorprizes and annual surprises.
The LAEGC will continue their annual media blitz advertis-ing in print, broadcast and radio markets in southern, central,and midcoast Maine providing widespread promotion.
The 16th annual Business to Business Trade Show is madepossible by our Gold Sponsors WGME-13, FairpointCommunications, the Sun Journal, Gleason Radio Group sta-tions WTME, WOXO, and WEZR 1240, NassauBroadcasting stations Frank FM, The Bone, WBACH, TheWolf and Oldies Channel AM 870 and AM 1470. PrimeSponsors include Mainebiz and St. Mary’s Health System.
Exhibit space is still available, with special prices offered toAndroscoggin County Chamber members. For more informa-tion, contact the Lewiston-Auburn Economic Growth Councilat 784-0161 or visit www.economicgrowth.org.
NEW COMMUNITY MAP UNFOLDS TOSHOW IT REALLY IS HAPPENING HEREIN THE L/A AREAThe Androscoggin County Chamber of Commerce isannouncing the availability of the new community map.Unlike The Chamber’s previously produced community mapswhich were renewed every 4 to 5 years focusing on business-es and residents new to the area, this edition of the map has
been redesigned to addanother dimension: tomake it easier for visitorsto the area to find ourattractions.
The new map is the productof over two years of workby The Chamber’sRegional ImageCommittee. Not only willthis new map serve the tra-ditional audiences targetedby the previous maps, it isdesigned to help a newgroup of tourists who cometo the L/A area to takeadvantage of all of our cul-tural, historical and enter-tainment venues. One sideof the map is devoted tohelping visitors find theseattractions; the other to newresidents and businesses.
According to RegionalImage Committee Co-ChairJan Barrett, “From destina-tion restaurants to art gal-leries to live theaters and
live music venues to dance performances to festivals to muse-ums and historical attractions to outdoor recreation, the L/Aarea has it all! New visitors are finding us every day. Thenew map helps our tourists find where they want to go in theL/A area much more easily.”
Chamber President Chip Morrison is using the new map inhis community presentations on how the L/A area haschanged. Holding the new map up for all to see he said,“This map paints the correct picture of the modern L/A area– a place where people from around Maine and New Englandand beyond come for fun and leisure activities.” In additionto the traditional hard copy version, the map will be availableon line at www.villageprofile.com and on The Chamber web-site in approximately 60 days.
Local businesses and residents can pick up copies of this newmap at The Chamber office located in the Business ServiceCenter at KeyBank Plaza, 415 Lisbon Street in Lewiston.
2 0 1 1 THE CHAMBER N E W SINSIDE:
Chair’s Comments
Advocacy Survey
Moxie Festival
Calendar of Events
Liberty Festival
Best Places to WorkCompetition
Regional ImageCommittee
What’s Up
Chamber Fairy Tale
Adopt-A-Spot
LAEGC Dinner
Job Fair
Member in Focus
Dining &Entertainment Guide
M A Y
THE BUSINESS SERVICECENTER AT KEYBANK PLAZA P.O. BOX 59LEWISTON, ME 04243-0059PH: (207) 783-2249FAX: (207) 783-4481WEBSITE: WWW.ANDROSCOGGINCOUNTY.COME-MAIL:[email protected]
P A G E 1 N E W S L E T T E R OF THE ANDROSCOGGIN COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
CHAIR’S COMMENTSBy Susan Stacey
Chamber/CMCCScholarship Scramble
On Wednesday, August 31, the 12th AnnualChamber/CMCC Foundation Scholarship Scramble
will tee off to raise funds for scholarships. Start will be at 10:30 a.m. atPoland Spring Golf Club. Last year, over 80 Chamber members signedon as sponsors and the tournament raised $42,000 in scholarships forlocal students to attend college.
Solicitors are now seeking the following sponsors:
Tournament Sponsor $5,000 (limited to one)Tournament Co-sponsors $2,500 (limited to 2)Cart Sponsors $1,500 (limited to 2)Reception Sponsors $1,500Contributing Sponsor $1,000 (limited to 5)Longest Drive Sponsor $500 (limited to 2)Hole Sponsors $400Green Sponsors $200
Call Chip or Maureen at The Chamber and let him know that you willjoin the 30 organizations who have already signed on as sponsors. Let’skeep up our momentum, providing important support for local students toattend post-secondary education.
BUSINESS ADVOCACY SURVEYIn late March and April, The Chamber’s Business Advocacy Committeesurveyed Chamber members about the issues they thought important toemphasize in our work with legislators and local governments. And over200 members took the time to fill out the detailed survey. The BusinessAdvocacy Committee will be analyzing the results of the survey andputting together a report to state and local government officials as well asto members.
5 Th Auburn Citizen of the Year at Lost Valley6 Fr Not Your Normal Formal at Ramada Conference Center10 T Seminar, “Attitudinal Excellence,” with Bob LaBrie of
Maximum Potential, 11:30 am at The Chamber12 Th Chamber Breakfast at Hilton Garden Inn Riverwatch, 7:15
am, Work Healthy Breakfast12 Th LAEGC Annual Meeting at Ramada Conference Center, 5:00
pm19 Th KeyBank sponsored Business After Hours at Business Service
Center at KeyBank Plaza (Chamber office)20 F Chamber Board of Directors, 7:30 am at The Chamber 26 Th Seminar, “Working and Living in a Time of Uncertainty,”
with Diane Dunton of Potential released Consulting, 11:30 a,at The Chamber
30 M Memorial Day, Chamber closed31 T Seminar, “Gender Differences – Enhance Your Ability to
Communicate with the Opposite Sex”” 11:30 am – 1:30 pm.,at The Chamber
9 Th Trade Show Breakfast at Bates, 7:15am9 Th Business to Business Trade Show at Androscoggin Bank
Colisee9 Th Business After Hours at the Trade Show23 Th Seminar, “Make Your Commitment to Get More Energy
Savings” with Efficiency Maine, 8:30-11:30 am at TheChamber
23 Th Business After Hours at Sarah Jeanne’s, 5:00-7:00 pm24 F Chamber Board of Directors, 7:30 am at The Chamber
4 M Liberty Festival, Auburn & Lewiston4 M Chamber closed for Independence Day Holiday8-10 Moxie Festival and Chief Worumbo Canoe Race, Lisbon Falls14 Th Chamber Breakfast at Lost Valley, 7:15am21 Th Business After Hours, Fox Ridge Golf Club, Lisbon Street in
Lewiston, 5-7pm
P A G E 2 N E W S L E T T E R OF THE ANDROSCOGGIN COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
JUNE
JULY
MAY
A TRIBUTE TO AMERICA: LIBERTY FESTIVAL 2011The best Fourth of July celebration in Maine will be in Lewiston-Auburnagain this summer. This year’s 15th annual festival will be held only onJuly 4th with a celebration on the banks of the Androscoggin River featur-ing a wide variety of food, games, carnival rides, and live music for allages, and culminating with THE BEST FIREWORKS in the state. Formore information, visit www.libertyfestival.org.
2011 MOXIE FESTIVAL July 8 – July 10Plans are underway for the 28th Annual Moxie Festival from July 8-10 inLisbon Falls. The festival is being organized by a local committee. Forinformation about sponsorship opportunities or events at the festival,check out the Moxie Festival website, www.moxiefestival.com. .
Governor LePage addresses sold out Chamber Breakfast at the Ramada ConferenceCenter.
BEST PLACES TO WORK COMPETITIONThe Maine State Council of the Society for Human ResourcesManagement is looking to honor companies that have established andconsistently fostered outstanding workplace environments. It is the “BestPlaces to Work in Maine” awards program, now in its sixth year. Theevent is endorsed by, Best Companies Group, the Maine State Chamber ofCommerce, Employment Times, HR Times and Mainebiz.
“The Maine program has grown significantly each year since its inceptionin 2005,” said Kristine Avery, Director of the SHRM Maine State Council.“I think the success of the Best Places to Work program is a true testa-ment to Maine businesses understanding that they must retain and recruittop talent to be successful.”
In June, Best Companies Group will survey all the Maine companies thathave registered online by the deadline of May 27. The scientifically vali-dated survey will incorporate a company’s employee benefits and policiesand responses from a comprehensive employee engagement and satisfac-tion survey. The data collected from the assessment will be used to deter-mine the Best Places to Work in Maine.
“Businesses are the backbone of the Maine economy,” said Governor PaulLePage. “The ‘Best Places to Work’ project gives employers the opportu-nity to highlight the best of the best. There are many great companies, bigand small, in our state and I encourage people to take part in this pro-gram.”
First place winners of the fifth annual “Best Places to Work in Maine”program in 2010 included Unum, based in Portland, in large size compa-ny category and Kennebec Savings Bank in Augusta in the small/mediumsize company category.
Mary Hammond, Vice President and Human Resources Officer atKennebec Savings had this to say about the program: “At KennebecSavings Bank, employee retention is everything because our employeesare everything. We feel strongly that if we treat them well, not only willthey treat us well, they will treat our customers and each other well, too.Participating in the Best Places to Work in Maine has been a great ‘pulsecheck’ on that point. The valuable information in the reports helps us toaffirm what we are doing right to keep our employees happy and wherewe have opportunities for growth.” The Best Companies Group employeefeedback report is presented to each participating company, whether ornot they made the list. The report includes the summarized employeeengagement and satisfaction data, the Maine benchmark report, and thetranscript of employee written comments. Many companies use the reportto make significant improvements in their workplace culture.
Any company with at least 15 employees in the state of Maine is encour-aged to participate. Companies selected as a “Best Place to Work inMaine” will be announced at a gala event in the fall of 2011. A completelist of top companies will be featured in a statewide publication put out byMainebiz. There is a fee to participate in the Best Places to Work inMaine program that helps cover administrative costs and the productionof the employee feedback report.
Interested companies can apply to participate in the program online atwww.bestplacestoworkme.com. The deadline for registration is May 27,2011, and all registered companies will be surveyed simultaneously fol-lowing the deadline date.
Representative Bruce Bickford of Auburn and Lewiston with BusinessAdvocacy co-chair Clif Greim of Harriman Associates and Chip Morrisonat Business Day at the Capitol on March 29th. Other Chamber membersparticipating included Rick Malinowski, Ken Bellefleur, Vicki Poland,and Mark Plourde of Procter & Gamble, Tom Brennan of Poland SpringBottling Company, Kevin Healey of St Mary’s Health System, SusanStacey of Central Maine Community College, Betty Liscomb of BeautiBasics Skin Care, Ralph Wallace of Trask-Decrow Machinery, MarkAdams of Sebago Technics, Elaine Hemenway of Payroll Management,Barbara Trafton of Keller Williams Realty, Kate Egeland of InternationalPaper, Stephanie Gelinas of Sandcastle Clinical and Educational Services,Dan Smiley of Turner Publishing, and Dan Mynahan. Chamber memberswere matched with local legislators to talk about issues facing local busi-nesses.
PRESENTATION PROMOTES LOCAL AREAThe Regional Image Committee under chairs JanBarrett of the Ware Street Inn and Peter Murphyof Neokraft Signs have developed a twentyminute presentation which dramatically demono-strates all the positive changes in the L/A areaover the last decade. That presentation was firstgiven by Chamber President Chip Morrison atthe Chamber Breakfast on February 10th and hassince been delivered over a dozen times to ser-vice clubs and employers all over the local areaand beyond. And the reaction of audiences hasbeen one of absolute amazement. Some com-
ments have included: “I didn’t realize that we had become such a destina-tion for leisure and recreation — people from away are coming to L/A todine at local restaurants, watch concerts, go to theatre and art galleries.”The presentation quotes the Boston Globe depiction of “A Newer, HipperL/A.”
During the presentation Chip frequently says, “Who knew?” And he con-cludes with “As we developed this presentation, even we were surprisedby all the L/A area has to offer. To date the presentation has been made tothree rotary clubs, the staff of three local real estate companies, staffgroups from both hospitals and Central Maine Orthopaedics, the manage-ment team at Fordland, and the Lewiston School committee.
Soon the presentation will be available on The Chamber website. Chipsays his goal is to make the presentation to more than 10,000 people inthe next year — both within the local area and to people who will travelhere from away. If you have a group for whom you would like to arrangethe presentation, call Chip or Maureen at The Chamber at 783-2249.
P A G E 3 N E W S L E T T E R OF THE ANDROSCOGGIN COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
P A G E 4 N E W S L E T T E R OF THE ANDROSCOGGIN COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
New England’s Wholesale trade organization, theBoston Shoe Travelers, named Lamey-Wellehan
as New England’s “Shoe Retailer of the Year”
The YWCA of Central Maine has contracted with AustinAssociates to provide financial, human resource, marketing, and facili-
ties management services. Austin Associates is pleased to join forceswith a community resource that is much needed, much valued and meetingthe needs of its community for over 130 years.
PowerPay, a leader in the payment processing industry, announced theirpartnership with Payroll Management, Inc. The agreement gives busi-nesses utilizing the services of Payroll Management, Inc. a preferredoption for credit card and electronic payment acceptance.
L/A Arts is proud to announce Odelle Bowman as their new ExecutiveDirector.
The Rehab Center at St. Mary’s d’Youville Pavilion has been recognizedwith an ”Honorable Mention” in Dorland Health’s annual Silver Crownawards competition.
Festival Francofun, June 3 & 4 at the Franco-American Heritage Center– Friday 11:30am-11:30pm. Saturday, crepe breakfast 7-10:30am $6.Lunch and entertainment available all day and a full course bean supper4:30-6pm for $7. Music and dancing, until 11p.m. The cost is $10.00 perday (no food included).
Visit Photo Finish where painter/photographer Wayne Miller has justcompleted a colorful, enchanting mural. This is a great opportunity to takefun photos of your family to celebrate spring! Stop by or call 783-3354.
Firestone Building Products Company, LLC, announced that IndustrialRoofing Co. has earned the 2011 Firestone Master Contractor Award andthe Firestone Inner Circle of Quality Award.
The employees of Poland Spring’s Kingfield plant recently welcomedUnited States Senator Susan Collins to tour the facility and to celebrateadding 22 jobs and earning the 2010 “Best Factory in North America”award from their parent company, Nestlé Waters North America.
Mothers Day is coming! René Minnis Photography will be offering cus-tom gift certificates for the Mom in your life. Have a family portrait donefor Mom (or perhaps with her!). You will receive a certificate with a per-sonal message perfect for framing. www.reneminnisphoto.com,[email protected], 838-6420.
April marks the one-year anniversary of Lewiston Auburn Magazine.Remember Chamber members, you get a half subscription for free! Wantthe other half for less than $10? Contact Editor Joshua Shea [email protected] for the online link exclusive for Chambermembers only!
Androscoggin Head Start and Child Care announces the hiring ofAnneke MacIsaac and Tekia Moore as Site Supervisors.
Camden National Bank welcomes Ward I. Graffam, Jr. as RegionalVice President and Commercial Regional Manager in the Lewiston office.
Macaroni Kid Lewiston-Auburn is the place to find out all about funfamily activities in the Lewiston-Auburn area. Subscribe to this free e-newsletter. Visit lewistonauburn.macaronikid.com to subscribe. For moreinformation about advertising email [email protected].
Acadia Business Advisors, LLC has become the exclusive outsourcedfranchise development company for the Natural Fruit Co and their FrutiFranchise, for North America, frutifranchise.com.
Recent Promotions at Camden National Bank: Nancy Richard has beenpromoted to Retail Lending Officer, remaining in the Lewiston office.Sonia Theberge has been promoted to Branch Manager/Retail BankingOfficer, remaining in the Lewiston office.
Goodman Wiper & Paper is the exclusive distributor for MeterPak con-centrated cleaning products. Most concentrated or ready to use cleaningchemicals are over 98% water. MeterPak products are powder packs thatdissolve in water saving space and cutting shipping costs dramatically.Call Ken Goodman at 784-5779.
ServiceMaster Fire & Water Restoration and the NIAW ofAndroscoggin Valley have partnered to present two CE classes, May 11th.Register by contacting Cyndy Zils at [email protected]. 8:30am- 12:30pm - Personal Lines Coverage Gaps and Solutions & 1-5pm -Insurance Fraud.
Central Maine Community College President Scott Knapp hasannounced the appointment of Glen Mercier as the Veterans to CollegeCoordinator.
The Atrium Art Gallery at USM’s Lewiston-Auburn College presents “AMatter of Perception: Juried Exhibition by Artists with Disabilities,” nowthrough May 24. For more information contact Robyn Holman, curator,753-6554, or visit the gallery’s website www.usm.maine.edu/lac/art.
May 5 - Walking Tall: A Tour of Today’s Shoe Industry in L-A, 9:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Join Museum L-A for a morning of travel showcasing threefacilities still engaged in manufacturing in the shoe industry. Pre-registra-tion required. Free admission. For more information call 333-3881.
Install a new Okofen wood pellet boiler and Heutz Premium PelletSystems in Lewiston will lock in your wood pellet price to the equivalentof $1.99/gal heating oil until June 30, 2014. Some restrictions apply. Formore information, call 782-3171, or visit www.heutzpellets.com.
Celebrate Cinco De Mayo (May 5) at Pedro O’Hara’s, Mexican Beer &Specialty Drinks. Trivia, Prizes & Give-A-Ways. Participate in their “HotPepper Eating Contest”! Live Entertainment. Come dressed in yourfavorite Mexican Attire! Be sure to learn about their new Coin Club (mugclub). www.pedrooharas.com, 783-6200.
WHAT’S UP…?
Dick GleasonPresident & General ManagerTel: (207) 784-5868 Cell: (207) 754-3777E-Mail: [email protected]: 555 Center Street, Auburn, ME 04210GGLEASON
Internet ServicesEmail Marketing • Web Site Development
P A G E 5 N E W S L E T T E R OF THE ANDROSCOGGIN COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
USM’s Lewiston-Auburn College will be presenting an introductorycourse in applying Lean principles and methods in transactional environ-ments this summer. Tuesdays, 5:30 p.m., May 24-August 16. For moreinformation please contact Betty Robinson at 753-6550 or email [email protected].
Shaker Hill Landscape & Nursery is changing the name of the businessto Shaker Hill Outdoors and expanding into outdoor recreation.
Graduates of the Lewiston-Auburn Training, Distribution and Logistics(TDL) Collaborative were honored recently in a ceremony held atCentral Maine Community College. This coalition has undertaken athree-year initiative to develop training and employment opportunities inthe TDL sector.
Over 1,000 people participated in the Lewiston Auburn Film Festival,held in downtown Lewiston/Auburn on April 2, with organizers estimat-ing at least half were not from the Twin Cities. Filmmakers from as faraway as Syria, England, Poland and Australia attended the event.
Baxter Brewing Company, Maine’s newest microbrewery and the onlyNew England brewer to ship all its beer only in metal packaging (cansand kegs), recently announced plans to double its current productioncapacity after only ninety days of operations.
Let Shads Advertising help you maximize your return from the JuneBusiness to Business Trade show. Whether you are introducing a newproduct/service or promoting a special offer, they can help come up withcreative ideas to attract people to your booth and help you get qualifiedleads! Visit www.shads.com or call 782-0106.
May 21, 6:30pm - 9:30pm at Holly’s Own Deli and Restaurant, Auburn.Middle Eastern Dance Night. Come enjoy a night of live music, includ-ing the band Okbari from Portland, and belly dance performances allevening. There is no cover charge, but donations are collected during thenight. FMI: www.bellydancingmaine.com.
The Maine Blues Festival, being held June 17, 18, 19 in Naples, ME islooking for sponsors and volunteers. Event Sponsor - $3000, PlatinumSponsor - $1000, Gold Sponsor - $500, Silver Sponsor - $250, andBronze Sponsor - $100. For more information contact Ken Goodman 784-5779 or [email protected]
6th Fenn-Ross Cup Heritage Golf Tournament May 22 at Poland SpringGolf Course. There will also be an opening reception at the Maine StateBuilding for the new home of the Maine Golf Hall of Fame. Proceedsbenefit the Poland Spring Preservation Society. FMI: 998-4142 or visitwww.polandspringps.org.
4th Annual Poland Spring Heritage Day, May 28, 10am-3pm. Held on thegrounds of the Poland Spring Resort and Preservation Park. Proceedsbenefit the Poland Spring Preservation Society and other local charities.Last year’s event attracted over 2,000 people! FMI: 998-4142 or visitwww.polandspringps.org.
The Lewiston Regional Technical Center will add Travel, Tourism &Hospitality training to their programs offered.
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) recently announced theappointment of William Card as a Lender Relations Specialist in theAugusta, Maine District Office.
Join Tri-County Mental Health Services for a Preview Screening of“The Rehearsal” - Winner of the MPBN Director’s Award for ‘BESTMAINE FILM’ in the L/A Film Festival! At the Lewiston Public Library,Callahan Room, May 27 at 12noon. For more information call 783-9141.
Upcoming Wellness Council of Androscoggin County meetings: MentalHealth and the Workplace. July 26, 7:30-9:00am. November 1, from 7:30-9am learn about Tools for Creating and Implementing Worksite WellnessPlans. For more information, contact Healthy Androscoggin at 795-5990or [email protected].
Representatives of the Central Maine Medical Center Woman’sHospital Association recently presented CMMC’s Sam and JennieBennett Breast Care Center with a donation of more than $4,200 that willbe used to cover the cost of mammograms for patients with special needs.
Looking to have your hearing checked or know someone who could bene-fit from this service? Sandcastle Clinical and Educational Services (72Strawberry Avenue, Lewiston) has added audiology to their menu of ser-vices! Hearing evaluations can now be scheduled for individuals of ALLages. Call 782-2150 for an appointment.
The event “Art Walk Lewiston Auburn” will take place on May 27.Motivated members of the community, who care about the importance ofart and culture in these twin cities, are organizing an art walk in thedowntowns. Join them on a self-guided exploration of art and sculpturein the heart of Lewiston Auburn. For more information visit:www.ArtWalkLewistonAuburn.com
At the NorthEast Passenger Transportation Association Conference heldin March, the Lewiston/Auburn Transit Committee was recognized bythe Federal Transit Administration Region 1, for having the “Best OverallTransit Map” for 2011.
Art Boulay of Strategic Talent Management was selected to be a mem-ber of The International Faculty for TTI Performance Systems andSuccess Insights International. For more information visit www.strategic-talentmanagement.com/about-art-boulay.aspx.
Jim Emerson, President of Emerson Toyota in Auburn is celebrating his15th Anniversary in business. He will have free give-aways for Celticsand Red Sox tickets along with t-shirts and hats. SamanthaHolden was recently hired as a Sales Professional. Call, click or stop bytoday! www.emersontoyota.com
The HR Certification Institute has recently certified Diane McIntire ofBrann & Isaacson as a Senior Professional in Human Resources.
Martindale Country Club introduces their Cork Club. This club enablesmembers to have wines of their choice on hand and served in the lounge,dining room or deck. Order your wine today to have it in for the begin-ning of the season! Call Mike at 782-1107, ext 1.
Your MBA, Your Way at SNHU Maine in Brunswick and now in Auburn!Get a highly affordable MBA that’s tailored to your career needs andinterests. For more information call Southern New HampshireUniversity’s Maine location 800.427.9238 or email Sheila [email protected] to set up an appointment.
A $10,000 Make A Difference Day Award from Newman’s Own went tothe Ronald McDonald House Charities of Maine for projects conductedby Kevin Mitchell and Laura Davis of Rinck Advertising.
Diane Thibodeau of Tri-County Mental Health has been recognized bythe Maine Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program with the StatewideExcellence in Long Term Care Award.
If you are hiring this year, we can reduce the risk you will hire the wrong person. Our new website shows you how:
www.StrategicTalentManagement.com
P A G E 6 N E W S L E T T E R OF THE ANDROSCOGGIN COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
2010-2011BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Susan Stacey, ChairCentral Maine Community College
Kurk Lalemand, Chair ElectNext Level Business Coaching
Robin Robbins, TreasurerAndroscoggin Bank
Art Boulay, Past ChairStrategic Talent Management
Jason AgrenAgren Appliance
Jan BarrettWare Street Inn Bed & Breakfast
Bob BernierAdvantage Gases and Tools
Susan BerubeWGME-13
JoAnne CampbellMechanics Savings Bank
Michael Cox Central Maine Orthopaedics
Doug DiVelloCentral Maine Healthcare Corp
Adam DunbarWells Fargo Advisors
Jodi EllerProcter & Gamble
Patti GagnePatti Gagne Agency, Allstate Insurance
Stephanie GelinasSandcastle Preschool
Joyce GibsonUSM at LAC
Clif GreimHarriman and Associates
Kevin HealeySt. Mary’s Health System
Elaine HemenwayPayroll Management Inc
Jennifer HoganCommunity Credit Union
Matt JancovicOxford Networks
Paul LandryFish Bones American Grill
Mary LaFontaineCareer Center
Michael MalloySkelton, Taintor & Abbott PA
Scott McKenneyHilton Garden Inn
Bryan McNultyBates College
Iman PoeraatmadjaBurgess Computer
Peter SteeleTwin City Times
Peter TraillNason Mechanical Systems Inc.
Hillary Verrill, YPLAA Chair
Jennifer WilleyCanteen Services
CHAMBER FAIRY TALEThere’s a lot to be said for joining a Chamber ofCommerce, I thought to myself when I started Gold StarHoneybees. Except that a Chamber of Commerce mightjust be a bunch of dull sleepy business people with noenergy, hard to get excited about new ideas, hard to getmoving... But when I joined the Androscoggin CountyChamber of Commerce and met Chip Morrison, I foundthat nothing could have been further from the truth!
The rest of the story reads almost like a fairy tale! Readon: Once upon a time, two members of the AndroscogginCounty Chamber of Commerce met at a Chamber event.
They exchanged pleasantries, and business cards, as youdo - and those business cards floated around in those oddplaces that business cards float around - on the corner ofthe desk, in a pile by the computer monitor, on the cornerof the kitchen counter - waiting to snag on something.
Suddenly - a connection was made!
Gold Star Honeybees needed a new supplier/manufacturerfor the Gold Star Top Bar Hive kit, and RiversideMillwork Center had just the right combination of skills,qualities, and equipment for the job. The two businessesbegan working together, meeting to iron out the quirks ofthe kit-building process, and when they were ready,beginning production.
And on Monday, March 28th - the first Gold Star Top BarHive kits produced by Riverside Mill Works Center weredelivered and Voilà! A new and brilliant alliance hasbeen formed.
ADOPT-A-SPOT TO BEGIN 28th
SEASONWith the spring planting season almost at hand, organiz-ers of The Chamber’s popular Adopt-a-Spot beautifica-tion program are getting ready. The project, part of TheChamber’s Regional Image Committee, is now in its 28th
season. Local businesses and civic groups get an oppor-tunity to help beautify the Twin Cities by planting publicgardens on municipally-owned lands in high visibilityplaces. The Chamber provides attractive signs to recog-nize each spot’s sponsor.
While adopters are expected to commit to a spot for onlyone year, many businesses and groups choose to keeptheir spot year after year. Over 40 locations were plantedlast year at parks, traffic islands, welcome areas, boatlaunches, and bridge entrances. It’s not too late forthose interested in getting involved in the program.Call Emily Conley at the Chamber at 783-2249 for moreinformation.
LAEGC ANNUAL DINNER FEATURESRETURN OF “L-A TONIGHT SHOW!”Mark your calendar, clear your schedule and save thedate! Back by popular demand, the Lewiston-AuburnEconomic Growth Council is pleased to announce thereturn of the exceedingly popular “L-A Tonight Show!”Led by internationally renowned artist and owner of theOddfellow Theater, Michael Miclon will host the eventwith co-hosts Jason and Matt Tardy also of the OddfellowTheater. The show expects to be even more popular thanlast year featuring special guests, musical entertainmentand commercial breaks including sponsor messages. TheAnnual Dinner will be held on Thursday, May 12th at theRamada Conference Center with a networking socialbeginning at 4:30 p.m. proceeded by the program at 5:30p.m.
The Tonight Show-styled theme will feature a number ofspecial guests in attendance including Greg Nadeau, for-mer Deputy Commissioner of the Maine Department ofTransportation and current Deputy Administrator for theFederal Highway Administration, Luke Livingston,founder of Baxter Brewing Company, Chelsea Fournier,winner of the LAEGC “Launch L-A!” contest, and musi-cal guest and youngest inductee in the history of theMaine Country Music Hall of Fame, Denny Breau willreturn to perform a set of his more popular songs.
As is an annual tradition, the Cities of Lewiston andAuburn will recognize their annual EconomicAchievement Award recipients at the event. These awardsare presented each year to Lewiston and Auburn organi-zations or individuals that stand out in their commitmentto invest in the community and/or create jobs.
Registration is due by Friday, May 6th and tickets are sell-ing fast! Reserve your table of 8 for $315.00 or purchaseindividually for $45.00. Vegetarian and vegan options arestill available at no extra cost, but please specify yourselection.
For more information or to register for the event, pleasevisit us at www.economicgrowth.org, like us onFacebook, follow us on Twitter, call 784-0161 or look forthe brochure in the mail. See you there!
8TH ANNUAL ANDROSCOGGINCOUNTY JOB FAIR The job fair was held at Central Maine CommunityCollege on April 8th. Over 700 job seekers came throughthe doors to meet with the almost 50 employers at thefair. The event was sponsored by: Northeast Bank, TheChamber, Central Maine Community College, TheEmployment Times, Gleason Media Group,JobsInME.com, The Lewiston CareerCenter, and the SunJournal.
P A G E 7 N E W S L E T T E R OF THE ANDROSCOGGIN COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
MEMBER IN FOCUS:by Toni Seger; ProseWorks(tm) Associates
Action Computer
If you’re like me, you’re completely dependent on using computers, butyou have no idea how they work. Jim Fish, owner of Action Computer,says people like me represent about 90% of typical computer users.Basically, we just want them to work and when they don’t, we need help.
When one of my drives failed last summer, I needed help and a friend rec-ommended Action Computer. It was a great recommendation. ActionComputer’s Jim, Cathy, Scott and Tom will do whatever they can to saveyour data while offering the most cost effective options. Jim says, he’s inthe sort of business where a customer can just break down and cry becausethey’ve lost something precious ranging from photos of babies to theirentire accounts receivable. “More people back up their data today than adecade ago, but important material is still lost and it can be quite a blow”.Jim also adds, if you’re will-ing to pay, they can outsourceyour drive to a data recoverycompany where each layer isremoved and searched.
Understanding electronics hasalways intrigued Jim Fish. Asa kid, he liked tearing radiosapart and he says if you knowa young person who likesproblem solving and enjoystaking their bike apart to fig-ure out how it works, you could have the makings of a good computertechnician. After service in the air force where he received technologytraining and worked in radar systems, Jim looked around for something hewanted to get involved in and saw a future in servicing computers. It was1987 and personal computers were just starting to proliferate among smallbusinesses. “For about four thousand dollars, you got processing powerthat’s a tiny percentage of what we have today and you didn’t even get acolor monitor”, he chuckles. Still, those early PC’s offered substantialadvantages to accountants and other businesses that saw them as a goodinvestment and needed maintenance and service. “Speed is critical and thatkept improving which meant computers offered more and for less money”,explains Jim. “When they developed dual core systems, they doubled theprocessing power. Quad core doubled it again.”
Today, virus and spyware removal is a big part of Action’s business.“Usually, once a customer realizes something is wrong, it’s too late forsimple removal. The machine needs to be wiped clean and the systemreinstalled.” Before this is done, a complete ‘picture’ of your data is madeand when it’s returned, the data is filtered so that the virus is not returnedto the system. These filters are very sophisticated and very expensive. Somany viruses are being produced; filters are constantly updated, almostdaily. If you’re looking for clues about the sluggish performance of yourcomputer or what your warranty should cover, check out the Answers sec-tion at Action’s site: www.acs4u.com/
Macintosh computer owners like myself have long enjoyed not being theprimary target of viruses, but Jim says new systems allowing Mac users torun PC programs in their native environment are just as vulnerable to
viruses in the PC portion of the computer. “Anti-virus software is a multi-billion dollar industry which tells you just how serious the problem is.”
Action Computer can give your computer a tune-up that Jim compares toreplacing your car’s engine. Suddenly, you’re driving a new car! He showsme the inside of a computer and explains how the computer’s hard diskdrive is a series of spinning disks where data is read. If a microscopicpiece falls off, it creates damage like a vinyl record with a scratch. Keepplaying the record and you make it worse. That’s where the need for hard-ware repair comes in.
Today’s diagnostic software has come a long way and service at ActionComputer always starts with a diagnosis. Major hard drive manufacturersissue diagnostics for their drives and there are third party diagnostics fortesting memory and other components on the motherboard. ActionComputer keeps up with all the latest developments. It takes two hours torun a full range of tests and determine if the problem can be fixed fromthat evidence or if further steps are needed and/or if it’s worth going fur-ther. After all tests are run, someone from Action will call with a complete
explanation of the situationand all available options. Datais always potentially recover-able, even after it’s beendeleted. It’s just the cost ofgoing after it.
Since my own problem lastsummer, I’ve added andupgraded another computerand networked them. Homestoday commonly have multi-ple computers networked thatshare the use of printers.
Small businesses, with more than five computers, usually need a dedicatedserver providing security and backup, at a central point on the server thatis accessible to all stations. Providing peer-to-peer networks is anotherAction service which Jim compares to the critical foundation of a house.When my laptop didn’t accept an upgrade, I was really relieved it wasAction, not me, dealing with it. After a clean install, everything on mydrive was returned but, under strict privacy guidelines, was never accessed.
Security may be the biggest subject for anyone working with computers.Providing secure firewalls and secure systems for online sales is anextremely important part of Action’s business. Now, Action combinesthose services with complete web design and building services including asophisticated understanding of search engine ranking, a number one con-cern in online sales. Jim shows me attractive sites that are easy to use.
As computers became more robust, they also became more energy effi-cient, especially monitors, a subject that interests Jim who looks for waysto recycle computer parts and refurbish older equipment. If you stop in at1071 Lisbon Street, you’ll also find Action likes to offer great deals incomputer systems and always has something available in their entrancearea like a complete introductory system for an unbeatable $700.
Whether you’re considering an upgrade or your screen just went dark, callAction Computer at 786-8740.
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P A G E 8 N E W S L E T T E R OF THE ANDROSCOGGIN COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Prst StdU.S. POSTAGE
PAIDPERMIT #27
LEWISTON, ME04240
P.O. BOX 59LEWISTON, ME 04243-0059
CHAMBER PLANS LOCAL DINING & ENTERTAINMENT GUIDEBy Chip Morrison
We at the Chamber are excited to announce a new program for membersthat will actively promote the Androscoggin County Region as the state'sfastest growing area for visitors! We are unveiling a member supportedDining and Entertainment guide for our communities. Businesses' must be aChamber member to place their free ads; and the guide will be soldthroughout our area - and beyond! Chamber member participation is vital tothe success of this program. Figures vary - but your offer of discountedgoods and services will pay for itself many times over. One local restaura-teur has said that he might give away $500-1000 worth of food, but at a"minimum it would bring in an additional $5000, probably closer to10,000."
This collaborative effort is modeled after the successful Portland DineAround. It will highlight our County as a tourist destination, a recognizableleader in the Arts, and home to some of the best restaurants in the state!Member’s ad sizes will be determined by the total value that is offered tothe customer who will be buying the guide. Staff at the Chamber will beavailable to advise you, and we are anxious to get this underway. Call to setup an appointment to discuss the guide. Our Chamber intern, KathrynBegg, will also be calling members to seek their feedback and participation.
Participation in the Dining and Entertainment Guide will have to be on afirst come, first served basis - so don't be left out! When Chamber memberssucceed - we all succeed!
The guides will be assembled over the summer and will be available forpurchase in the fall – in time for the holidays!
