From the Desk of Suzanne

Week of November 14, 2011

The launch of Leadership Pioneer Valley (LPV)last month had a special meaning for me. This brand new initiative got its start here – at the Northampton Chamber. It’s a great credit to the Chamber that we have the vision and persistence to incubate important initiatives that go beyond the expected.  And, for me, I consider Leadership Hampshire County (LHC), now Leadership Pioneer Valley, to be the most important contribution yet of my professional life.  I learned so much from my colleagues who designed LHC – Pat Hassett, Alan Bloomgarden, Rick Feldman, Donna Jenson, Lewis Stess and Jeanne Yocum – and the 25 leaders who participated in the pilot program. It was a proud moment to see that vision come to life. If you’re curious go to www.leadershippv.org .

On a completely different note. I’m using Facebook a bit and I’m starting to get it! The Chamber has a page – make sure you “like” us – that we’re posting to almost every day. So why did I bring this up? Because we’ve talked a lot here about how to stir up our member to member connections. And now that I’m using Facebook, I really get the value of an online community. We’ve “tried on” a couple of ideas but always end up not sure about where to start. Any suggestions?

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Back on schedule….

From the Desk of Suzanne:

Since I missed last week’s blog, I’ll start with this. On October 5, the Chamber held our 14^th Open House with 200+ members, arguably my favorite event.  It’s heartening to me that of the 30+ events we hold in a year, our Open House, right here at the Chamber, draws the biggest crowd. I like the symbolism of it.  It’s our home base.  And it feels that way on that night. So, thank you.

Last week was a high point for the Chambers’ economic development agenda. The Northampton Planning Board voted to recommend the King Street ordinances (that the Chamber developed), we had our first meeting of the Hampshire Regional Tourism Council and one more thing.

At the monthly meeting of the Fairgrounds Redevelopment Corporation, Bruce (Shallcross, the GM of the Fairgrounds) said that, for 2012, the Fairgrounds will host 3 new horse shows and many of the existing shows are adding more horses.  All of the new shows are new to the region.  Just last month we dedicated the 3 new horse barns, the very first phase of the redevelopment.  This is such quick confirmation of how valuable and successful this investment in the Fairgrounds will be.  Our persistence is paying off!

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The Blog Experiment

Suzanne Beck,  Executive Director 

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From The Desk of Suzanne:

This is an experiment. An experiment to see if I can keep up with a weekly  blog and if anyone will be interested in reading it. It’s meant to give you some insight into the bits and pieces of the work done by the Chamber, at least through my eyes. We’ll see how it goes. I wouldn’t mind a little feedback along the way.

I’ve just returned from a morning in the Berkshires (at the Clark Art Institute), where I attended a “listening tour” sponsored by the Massachusetts Legislature’s Joint Committee on Tourism, Arts and Cultural Development. The Committee was gathering testimony from the industry on the impact of the state’s investment in culture and tourism.  Tony Maroulis (my counterpart in Amherst) and I were there as co-leaders of the newly formed Hampshire Regional Tourism Council (RTC). We were not there to speak, but instead to show our appreciation of the legislature’s increase in funding for tourism marketing.  Attending events like these (I went to one in Sturbridge a few months ago) is not the first thing that came to mind when we were first designated as an RTC.  It makes sense, though. We’ll need a strong relationship with the legislators  who influence the amount  of funding every year.  Last week I attended a luncheon of about 30 people with House Speaker Robert DeLeo for the same reason.

A quick background note. Last year, through Senator Stan Rosenberg’s efforts, the Governor’s Economic  Development Reorganization bill established an RTC for Hampshire County and two others (joining the 13 RTCs already in operation).  RTC’s receive funding from the state to market their region  to visitors. This year is the RTC’s first full year of operation and we will receive $232,000 from the state that must be matched by the private sector 1:1. 

I’m not sure how to end this, so I’ll just stop writing.

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ITS TIME FOR OUR OPEN HOUSE:

 

Annual Open House

 Wednesday, October 5, 2011

 5-7 PM  

99 Pleasant Street, Northampton

 

Don't miss your chance to ask 300+ Chamber members 

 "Why are you a member of the Chamber?"

Featuring delicious food and drink donated by our wonderful member restaurants. 

 Chandler's Restaurant at Yankee Candle

 Clarion Hotel & Conference Center and Page's Loft

Coca Cola Bottling Co.

Cup and Top Cafe

Delaney House

Eastside Grill

Hotel Northampton

Northampton Brewery

Viva Fresh Pasta

and more

 

Sponsored by:

  

 

 

 

This event is free for non-chamber members!

Kindly RSVP  

From the Newsletter:

A Special Meet & Eat Breakfast To Feature Owen Ullmann, News Editor, USA TODAY

Noted Washington-based journalist and current News Editor of USA TODAY Owen Ullmann will be speak at a special Greater Northampton Chamber of Commerce "Meet & Eat" breakfast on Friday, October 7, 2011 from 7:30 AM to 9 AM about the current economic climate and what we can expect from our leaders in Washington. 

Having covered national politics and the economy for over thirty years, Mr. Ullmann will give an historic perspective on the economy as well as what the experts currently believe is at play.

The breakfast, held at Hotel Northampton, will begin at 7:30 AM. Mr. Ullmann's talk begins at 8 AM and will be followed by an extended question and answer period.    Seating is limited so reservations will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Chamber members please RSVP by September 23rd for priority reservations to mailto:RSVP@explorenorthampton.comor call 413-584-1900.

About The Featured Speaker

Washingtonian magazine has rated him among the "50 most influential journalists" and the White House Correspondents Association has twice honored him for his reporting. Mr. Ullmann is an award-winning journalist and author who has covered the White House, Foreign Affairs, Economics and Political Campaigns for more than three decades. 

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