ROYAL RIVER REVIEW

“coming together

is a beginning;

keeping together

is progress;

working together

is success.

- Henry Ford

In This Issue

Are You All In?

Shop Small 11/28/15

Membership Drive

News That Matters

Member Roundup

The Local Pulse

PM Connections

Meet. Connect. Grow.

A re You All In?

The NHL opened their 2015-2016 season on October 7th & 8th, and it’s been a curious first month for our Boston Bruins. For those who follow hockey, the offseason was quite tumultuous for the Bruins. After barely

missing the playoffs last year, the team decided to shake things up. They had a turnover at the General Manager position, then traded away their best young defenseman and their identity-defining power forward. They shipped out a solid 3rd line center and a number of other depth players. The team acquired several new players, and nobody knew how or if they would fit in. Oh, and the team determined that a complete change in playing style and coaching philosophy would be needed. So what happened when the puck was dropped on opening night? They got crushed 6-2. Then again 4-2 in their second game. Then again 6-2 in their third. Not the best start.

But here’s the thing about sports. It takes time to find your rhythm, identity and chemistry when familiar faces depart and new faces arrive. After those ugly first three games, the tide turned. Players became more familiar with their line mates. The new coaching style and system started to make a bit more sense. Patience was rewarded. In the following 7 games, the Bruins won 6 of them convincingly and lost 1 in overtime. They are finding their identity.

After 9 weeks of learning on the job, it’s time to come out of training camp and drop the puck on the season here at the Yarmouth Chamber. It has taken some time to dig in, meet you and determine what our shared identity will be. And truthfully, we still have a long way to go. But for today we are proud to officially launch our All in Campaign and Membership Drive for 2016, and I encourage everyone to look at our new Membership Brochure and share it with returning and new businesses alike. This brochure is not an end to our planning and development of 2016. Many new initiatives will be launched as we carry forward. But at some point you need to stop practicing and play your game, so this launch signifies a promise of the very basic value each of you will receive as key Members of our business community when you re-up for 2016.

Over the next two months and leading up to our January 6th Annual Meeting at the Log Cabin, we are squarely in campaign mode. Part of this campaign will be to ensure we grow our membership, but most will be about simply connecting with you and listening. The Board of Directors, Ambassadors, staff, Chamber enthusiasts and I will combine efforts and meet as many of you as we can in the next 2 months, but you are also welcome to call, stop by and email me what YOU see as priorities for 2016.

There are infinite opportunities for the Yarmouth Chamber to take on new projects and to expand our reach. However, every good organization can better serve the community if it establishes simple, easy-to-follow core values to help determine when to act. For the Yarmouth Chamber, we will dedicate ourselves to these simple tenants:

1. Increase membership and our circle of influence

2. Improve communications on issues that matter

3. Offer direct, measurable, customized business resources to members

4. Strengthen the ties between business, community organizations, educators and citizens

We are dropping the puck on our season, and I sincerely

hope you are All In with us. Game on!

Cheers,

Andrew T. Smaha | Executive Director

Drop the puck!

Yarmouth Chamber of Commerce Newsletter Volume 15 . Issue 21 | November 03, 2015

A Rising Tide: Spotlight on Member Resources. This week...an article for Small Business Saturday

Local Marketing Essentials For Small Business Saturday

by Laurie Sullivan, MediaPost

Walk into the local clothing boutique, chocolatier, furniture shop or toy store to find a unique one-of-a kind item.

Small, local businesses are known for these types of specialty items and handmade goods. The businesses are so

important to communities that American Express spearheaded a day to celebrate them.

Small and medium-sized (SMB) businesses planning to participate in the Nov. 28, 2015 event should consider also

serving the more affluent shopper. Some 26.7% of Small Business Saturday shoppers have household incomes of

more than $100,000 annually, according to AudienceSCAN, which published a white paper containing data from an

annual survey of more than 14,000 consumers. It also

offers insight on income brackets, social media use rates,

and the most popular charities and philanthropic

organizations.

AudienceSCAN's findings suggest

Small Business Saturday Shoppers are 55% more likely

than the average shopper to take action after seeing ads

on mobile apps or text-message ads in the past month.

About one-third regularly use their smartphones to look

up local business information, hours and/or locations.

One in five Small Business Saturday Shoppers in the

past year purchased and used a daily deal voucher for a

business they had not shopped at previously.

This group also is 59% more likely than average U.S. adults to participate in a local Restaurant Week in the next 12 months.

Abid Chaudhry, industry strategy and insights at BIA/Kelsey, estimates that local advertising spend will reach $51.7 billion in 2015 across all media channels, and expects that to rise 1.4% to $52.4 billion in 2016. He provides feedback for companies looking to participate in Small Business Saturday.

CONTINUE READING ON NEXT PAGE

S M A L L B U S I N E S S S A T U R D A Y

Saturday, November 28

Step 1: If you want us to drop off supporting marketing materials for you to promote participation in Small Business Saturday,

please email us or call 846-3984.

Step 2: Send us a blurb on what promotion you are offering on Small Business Saturday by Friday, November 13th and we

will promote you in our Newsletter, social media and The Forecaster’s Local Pulse.

Local Marketing Essentials For Small Business Saturday

by Laurie Sullivan, MediaPost

CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE

Define Your Goals and Desired Outcomes

With all the different ways to market your local business online, it's important to

have your goals and desired outcomes clearly defined ahead of time. You’ll want

to prepare your promotion strategy around the 3 W’s: who your target audience is,

what you will be offering them, and where they will be searching for your product or

service online. Once you have that defined, create a set of creative messages that

are designed to drive traffic to your business -- things like exclusive offers or time-

or traffic-based incentives (‘first 100 customers get a free widget with every

purchase!’). Having your audience, incentives and online channels clearly laid out

will help you focus your marketing efforts and maximize your marketing ROI.

Make Your Business Data Actionable

Consumers are using their mobile devices more than ever while engaging in local

search and shopping. Research from Google shows that nearly half of all searches

taking place on mobile devices have local intent, so it's critical ensure the business

is visible and findable on the small screen, wherever your customers are. Be sure

you have your Web site mobile-optimized -- not only responsive and viewable, but

content and message-optimized. Mobile-friendly elements like location finders,

contact information and easy-access incentives should be prioritized.

Make Your Business Data Accessible

If consumers don’t click through to your Web site, they are likely to find your

business information via online directories like YP and Yelp. It's important to have

a data management strategy in place to make sure your business information is

aggregated and syndicated across major listings providers, with consistent,

accurate content about who you are, your products or services, where you’re

located and how to reach you. You’d be surprised how often bad listing data

prevents consumers from using a local business!

Combine Search and Location Based Advertising

Consumers aren’t just searching for local business information through search

engines. Social media has evolved to become a major source for local search, with

over 46% of consumers relying on their social networks when considering a

purchase decision. It's important for search marketers to know how to best take

advantage of a combined search plus social marketing strategy. One of the best

ways to do this is to utilize geo-targeting capabilities to drive device- and location-

specific messages during a consumer’s purchase journey. Tools like Facebook’s

local awareness ads or Google AdWord location targeting can work together to

have your business be front and center wherever a consumer might be looking for

you.

Are You All In?

Time to renew your

Chamber

Membership, and

encourage new

businesses to join in

our collective efforts.

1. Check out our

Brochure

2. Select your

Membership Level

3. Sign up Online, via

email, or with a call to

the office at 846-3984

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP

News That Matters — Key business developments you need to know

1. The Yarmouth Chamber of Commerce is pleased to recognize Benjamin Jackson of North Yarmouth

Academy and Anita Demetropoulos of Island Treasure Toys as our newest Board Members. Both were unanimously

appointed by the existing Board as per the Chamber Bylaws for positions vacated mid-term. Please join us in

welcoming Ben and Anita, and do not hesitate to reach out to them with your ideas. Click here for Board information.

2. Annual Meeting Announcement: This year, we will be taking the idea of “ meeting” seriously, and

gathering at the Log Cabin on Wednesday, January 6th at 7:30am—9:00am. In the true New England Log Cabin

style, we will bring together existing and new Chamber Members alike to present our 2015 annual review, vote on a

slate of new Board of Directors, and open the floor to set our 2016 agenda and focus areas. Mark your calendars for

January 6th, 2016 — and more information to come as we get closer to this important event.

3. Yarmouth initiative sharpens its focus on senior issues. Kate Gardiner at The Forecaster has a nice

article here. 90-minute Listening (Focus) Sessions are now taking place, and are available on multiple dates in the

morning, afternoon or evenings. To Register, Call Beth 846-1591 or Raelene 846-1409.

4. Merrill Memorial Library is working on their strategic plan, and they would LOVE to hear from you about

where you want to see the town going in the next 5. 10, 15, 20 years and how the library fits in to that vision. A

Strategic Planning Community Forum will be held Monday, November 30th from 6:00pm-8:00pm to hear your vision.

5. Maine State Chamber announces opposition to Question 1 due to funding mechanism. The chamber and

a coalition of Maine businesses say funding for clean elections can't come from business tax incentives that grow

Maine's economy and create jobs. Click here for the full press release and background information.

Benjamin Jackson, Headmaster North Yarmouth Academy

Anita Demetropoulos, Owner Island Treasure Toys

MEMBER ROUNDUP

Join the Merrill Memorial Library for an evening with Maine's Poet Laureate Wesley McNair. TONIGHT, Tuesday, November 3 at 7 pm. Offered in the season of Thanksgiving, McNair’s reading will take up the theme of praise, celebration and gratitude. This event is free and open to the public.

Join Estabrook’s this season with multiple events happening in December! Wine Tasting with Bow Street Market (December 3

rd from 3-7pm) - In addition to Bow

Street, several other local food vendors will also be on hand serving up samples and selling their salsas, baked good and more. Beer Tasting with Local Maine Breweries (December 4

th from 3-7pm) - Relax by the fire pit, roast some

marshmallows and kick off your holiday shopping with fresh greens, wreaths, poinsettias, gifts and more from Estabrook’s. Plus, join in on special classes and demonstrations to take your holiday decorating to the next level. Christmas with Alpacas (December 5

th & 6th from 10am to 4pm) - Meet, pet and walk live

alpacas from nearby farms, browse an artisan market of local vendors full of unique gift ideas, enjoy live music, sample some of the area’s best food trucks, get creative in the kids craft area and more. All the events take place at Estabrook’s in Yarmouth. Our address is 337 East Main Street, our website is www.estabrooksonline.com and our phone is 207-846-4398.

The team at Epic Image Salon would like to welcome their newest stylist, Lydia Holt! Lydia’s creative side led her first in pursuing fine arts, and received several art degrees, which greatly influences her abilities as a hair stylist. With a passion for helping people feel their best, Lydia prides herself in making a connection with every guest that sits in her chair. Listening is her key to delivering positive results. Not only does Lydia provide a wonderful hair experience, she is also spicing things up at the salon by introducing Gel Manicures as a new service! Mention this ad and receive 20% off your first visit with Lydia!

North Yarmouth Academy is having an Open House for the Lower School (18-mos to grade 4) on Sunday, November 15 at 11am. Step inside our classrooms, meet our teachers and hear about our curriculum. There will also be opportunities to take guided tours to see the rest of NYA's campus. Visit nya.org or call 846-2376 for more information.

In October Yarmouth Boat Yard owner, Steve Arnold and sales manager Captain Jack Stewart attended the Pursuit Dealer's Conference held in Sarasota, Florida. An awards dinner was also held and Yarmouth Boat Yard once again received the Gold Flagship Dealer status. To qualify and be recognized as a Gold Flagship Dealer, vendors must meet high standards with exceptional performance in three areas: dealership sales, marketing, and service, as well as be a member

of the Marine Industry Dealer Certification (MIDC) program. Awards were also presented to the salespeople who qualified for the prestigious “Club Pursuit and Club Elite” awards. Captain Jack Stewart was awarded the Club Elite award for the being a top salesman of Pursuit Boats for 2015.

What’s the Local Pulse?

The Yarmouth Chamber has established an enhanced listing in The Forecaster's "Local Pulse" online advertising platform, and we wish to pass along the free advertising opportunity to you! Here’s how it works: 1. Send us your news brief or

ad. 2. We will promote it at no cost in

our newsletter, via social media, and on The Forecaster’s Local Pulse.

Actually, that’s it. Two steps. Please contact Chelsie via email or call 846-3984 for more information.

MEMBER ROUNDUP

Norway Savings Bank was founded

over 145 years ago with a

commitment to personal values,

community values and financial

values that have never faltered.

Norway Savings Bank is an

outstanding community bank, known

for its financial strength, exceptional

customer service and contribution to

its communities. We are a great place

to do business, an employer of choice

and a nationally recognized Gold-

Level Well Workplace, committed to

the health and development of expert

financial professionals.

The mission of Norway Savings Bank

is to promote the long-term financial

growth and success of our customers,

employees and communities by

creating relationships and delivering

the best banking solutions in Maine.

Over the years, we've grown to serve

a wide area throughout western and

southern Maine. From personal and

business banking focused on

customer needs and the importance

of relationships...to customized

investment advice and financial

planning...Norway offers the

sophistication of a large financial

institution in a friendly community

atmosphere.

Today, as we move ahead toward a proud new era of growth and leadership, our values serve as the foundation that reminds us of who we are, where we come from, and all we can accomplish. Join us at our November After Hours at Norway Savings Bank on Wednesday November 18th

Bath Savings Institution recently held its annual Employee Recognition Night. This is a fun and exciting night to honor our employees for their commitment to exceptional service here at the bank. Emmie Carrigan, from the Yarmouth office, received our Exceptional Teller Award. Emmie also won the Spirit of Excellence award in May. Congrats Emmie!

Thursday, November 19 at 7:00 pm ~ Yarmouth Historical Society and Royal River Conservation Trust are pleased to present a free film screening of Blue Gold: World Water Wars as part of the Royal River Film Series. This award-winning documentary examines the environmental and political dimensions of the planet’s

water supply and highlights ways in which communities are taking action to improve access to water. The film will be introduced jointly by two Maine gems: Walter Anderson, retired Maine State Geologist, and Bob Marvinney, current Maine State Geologist. Walter is a long-time Yarmouth resident, former trustee of the Yarmouth Water District, and board member of the International Appalachian Trail’s Maine Chapter. Bob is the former president of the Kennebec Land Trust.

Foy Insurance of Scarborough Maine is a full service insurance agency offers products for all commercial and personal insurance policies. Foy Insurance is giving away

2016 calendars , so stop by their office and chat with them for a free insurance review and from November 1, 2015 Through December 23, 2015 enter in a chance for a $25.00 gift card.

Sandy the Mechanical Horse formerly found at Goff’s Hardware is now at the Yarmouth Historical Society! Thanks to a generous donor, rides are free through the holidays. Stop by and see her!

Coastal Maine Interiors is now open at their new location at 357 Main Street! Open M&W 10am-5pm, Tu&Th Noon-6pm, Fri 9-Noon, Weekends and Saturday by appt.

Yarmouth Frame and Gallery is hosting a retrospect exhibit and sale of the late Anne Macleod pastel paintings of Maine. The exhibit will be up for 2 days on November 13th and 14th or by appointment on Sunday the 15th. "I

am inspired by the magic and nature of Maine ~ the lovely place I call home." quote: Anne Macleod.

Yarmouth Frame and Gallery "The Holiday Show", 26 artist's opening reception date: Saturday, November 21st, 4 to 7. exhibit will run through January. Come kick off the holiday season with us!

Contact Us

Yarmouth Chamber 162 Main Street

Yarmouth, ME 04096

(207) 846-3984

Visit us on the web at www.yarmouthmaine.org

Andrew T. Smaha

Executive Director

asmaha@yarmouthmaine.org

Mark Primeau

Clam Festival Director

mark@clamfestival.com

Chelsie DiConzo

Administrative Assistant

info@yarmouthmaine.org

Meet. Connect. Grow.

Thursday, November 12th, 2015

Board of Directors Meetings

Town Hall Community Room

7:30am—9:00am

Wednesday, November 18th, 2015

November After Hours

Norway Savings Bank

5:00pm—7:00pm | Register Here

Saturday, November 28th, 2015

Shop Small on Small Business Saturday

Yarmouth Businesses

All Day

Monday, November 30th, 2015

Strategic Planning Community Forum

Merrill Memorial Library

6:00pm - 8:00pm | Register Here

Tuesday, December 1st, 2015

The Continuing Evolution of the ACA

Senator Inn & Spa, Augusta, Maine

8:00am - 12:00pm | Register Here

Wednesday, December 9th, 2015

16th Annual Boast N Toast

Muddy Rudder

5:00pm—Late | Tickets Here

T he Yarmouth Chamber of Commerce is proud to celebrate over 50 years of serving

the Yarmouth business community. We are an independent, non-profit organization

made up of area businesses and individuals that are interested in the development

of the commercial, financial, civic, and economic environment of the Yarmouth business

community. Our mission is to promote and support business development and community

welfare, to provide a voice for business, and to encourage the exchange of ideas and

information. All businesses and individuals are welcome to be involved in the Yarmouth

Chamber of Commerce. The success of the Chamber depends upon its members and the

commitment they make to improve the quality of life in our unique town.

Our office is centrally located at 162 Main Street and we welcome residents and visitors

alike to stop by to obtain information about our town, businesses and area events.