Chamber News

My name is Sue Potter and I am an ambassador of The One SouthCoast Chamber. I work for Townsquare Media where I represent two of the most dominant radio stations on the Southcoast: Fun 107 and 1420 WBSM. When you think of radio, you might think of a time before smart phones, TV, iPads, Apple Watches. But what you may not know is that radio still reaches 93% of Americans on a weekly basis. People still listen to their local stations on their commute, listen live online or even tune in via an app! Local radio is quite literally bigger and better than ever.

In addition to traditional radio, we offer multi-level solutions to fit any and all marketing needs. Does your website need an upgrade or enhanced SEO? We offer a vast menu of website service through our Townsquare Interactive program. If web traffic is important to you, as it should be, we offer a multitude of digital advertising opportunities within our websites, apps and newsletters. Do you need to push more traffic to your social media accounts? You can be part of our online and on-air contesting which can direct listeners to your Facebook, Instagram, website or mailing list to gain entry into the contests. Do you like getting out into the field to meet new potential customers? Sign on with our Live Events sponsorship where you can get in front of your target demographic whether they are kids, parents, single adults with disposable income and anyone in between.

With all that we offer, ‘well, how much does it cost?’ is always everyone’s first question. Don’t worry – we offer affordable solutions based on your individual budget. There is no budget too small. We can build you an advertising package that fits exactly what you need and doesn’t break your budget. I love selling for Townsquare Media because I know that we can provide the best solutions for our clients, whether they are a national agency or a small, local business.

I have been in the radio industry for 12 years and with Townsquare Media for 5 years. Prior to coming into radio, I was a licensed insurance agent. I enjoy meeting all of the wonderful people I come in contact with through my job, but most of all, I believe in what I sell and I take great pride in my ability to help businesses grow. That is what has made me successful. If you’re interested in advertising, please call 508-999-6690 and ask for Sue Potter.

Source: Various Nielsen Customer Analysis

The One SouthCoast Chamber is thrilled to invite you to participate in our new Key Tag Program, Shop Local – Save Now! This program will help  your business to connect with consumers within the community through specialized discounts or offers, redeemable only to those who have purchased the Shop Local – Save Now! Key Tag through the Chamber.

We ask that your business put forth a unique offer for Key Tag holders; one that is not currently available to the general public. Chambers throughout the United States have exhibited success in their own way through Key Tags, so we are hopeful Shop Local – Save Now! will encourage the SouthCoast community to shop local, eat local and be local!

According to a study published in 2012, shopping at locally owned small businesses generates four times more economic impact if compared to the spending of money at chain retail stores. Similarly, the recirculation of revenue within the community is at a higher percentage compared to that of national chains. This means that with every dollar spent, a dollar is staying within our local communities.

Along with money being retained in our area, shopping local can also aide in the creation of jobs, advance environmental sustainability, diversify the local economy, support healthy communities and create vibrancy and prosperity for all.

Participation in Shop Local – Save Now! means that your business will consent to a one year commitment with the program, from May 2017 to May 2018. All employees must be aware of the Key Tag Program and in compliance with it. The Chamber will supply your business with a notice of participation that must be hung in an area that is easily recognizable to consumers.

Businesses must be members of the Chamber to offer a discount for the Shop Local – Save Now! program. For general inquisitions or more information on participation in this program, please contact Ian Abreu, Manager of Business Development & Public Policy at The One SouthCoast Chamber of Commerce, at (508) 999-5231 ext. 24 or iabreu@newbedfordchamber.com. Key tags will be available for purchase in May at the Greater New Bedford Home, Health & Wellness Show, at the Chamber office and online at www.newbedfordchamber.com.

The One SouthCoast Chamber is pleased to announce a new program in partnership with L.J. Rogers to offer member businesses discounts on transportation and logistics services. Since 1996 it has been the mission of L. J. Rogers, Inc. to achieve, manage and deliver the highest quality of personalized customer service in all facets of Customs Clearing, international & domestic transportation and logistics. They utilize the knowledge of their dedicated skilled employees, expertise in compliance, and proprietary cutting-edge technological tools, individually tailored to their client’s needs, to achieve this goal. At L.J. Rogers, they pay strict attention to the details and answer your call knowing it is not just a shipment it is your life. L.J. Rogers has collaborated with The One SouthCoast Chamber of Commerce to bring this proprietary opportunity for our members.

1)    Offering Customs Clearing and Consulting on complicated New Customs Requirements

2)    Offering Competitive Freight Rates around the world.

3)    Offering preferred independent Global Partners Network.

4)    Offering Proprietary on-line, real-time shipment tracking software.

The team at L.J. Rogers is looking forward to the opportunity to serve the loyal Chamber Community. For more information on their services, please contact Kevin Loflin at 508-672-8888  or email kloflin@ljrogers.com.

By: Ian Abreu

Are you interested in where and how your federal tax dollars are spent? Do you have questions or concerns regarding healthcare, infrastructure, transportation, education, energy, economic development or regulatory reform at the federal level?

If you have answered “yes” to any of the above, then you need to join The One SouthCoast Chamber of Commerce’s Government Affairs Committee on its first ever Washington, DC Fly-In this upcoming May to meet with both our federal senatorial and legislative delegation.

The Fly-In will take place between May 16-18 of 2017, and will include exclusive meetings with 9^th Congressional District Representative William Keating, United States Senator Edward Markey, and United States Senator Elizabeth Warren’s Chief of Staff.

Additionally, there is also a briefing scheduled with the US Chamber of Commerce.

The cost per person is $699 (double occupancy hotel rate), and it includes: a two-night stay at the Capitol Hilton Hotel, round-trip airfare from Providence to Washington DC (BWI), airport to hotel round-trip transfers, and a Washington Explorer Pass ( which includes: a riverboat cruise with prime views of DC monuments, a hop-on hop-off bus tour of Washington, DC and Madame Tussauds DC).

Also included will be a private tour of the Capitol Hill building (courtesy of Representative Keating’s office).

The Chamber is sponsoring this Washington, DC Fly-In in partnership with Sagres Vacations; a family-owned full service travel agency and tour operator that is headquartered in Fall River, MA.

Washington DC Registration Form

If you would like more information about this wonderful networking and professional development opportunity, please contact Ian Abreu, Manager of Business Development & Public Policy at: (508) 999-5231, ext. 24, or, via email at iabreu@newbedfordchamber.com.

The One SouthCoast Chamber of Commerce coordinates government affairs efforts on behalf of its members and the SouthCoast business community. The Chamber’s member driven Government Affairs Program includes establishing positions on issues that impact our members and the economic advancement of the region, educating elected officials about these issues and encouraging membership involvement in the Chamber’s advocacy efforts. The Chamber has established a non-partisan Government Affairs Committee comprised of members from diverse industries. This committee is responsible for helping to guide the Chamber’s advocacy efforts by reviewing pending legislation and regulations for their impact on the membership, developing positions that will enhance economic growth and developing programs that inform and encourage members to participate in the Chamber’sgovernment affairs initiatives.

The Good Morning SouthCoast breakfast scheduled for Feb. 9th has been POSTPONED to Feb. 16th due to the winter storm warning.
http://members.newbedfordchamber.com/events/details/gmsc-february-2017-breakfast-494589

The ribbon cutting for Greasy Luck Brewery has also been postponed and a new date will be announced soon.

On December 12, 2016 about 350 ninth grade New Bedford High school students made their way down to the Blue House cafeteria to attend the 2nd Annual 9th grade Exploratory Career Fair. The Greater New Bedford Connecting Activities Partnership and Junior Achievement helped to co-sponsor the annual “Career Academy Fair” which was a huge success. Students were engaged at the fair and had many wonderful businesses to choose from to speak with as they walked about the cafeteria.

We were lucky enough to have over 60 individuals at the Career Fair representing businesses from all different career pathways! Student had the chance to complete an assignment for class credit and spoke with employers about their past educational experience, their workforce skills and their outlook on that particular field. The Greater New Bedford Connecting Activities Partnership would like to thank each and every individual who attended the Career Fair. Your participation and effort helped inform students about career pursuits and guide students toward choosing an Academy that they will follow for the next three years!

Representatives from the Children’s Advocacy Center of Bristol County who represented the Academy of Arts and Humanities were amazed at the engagement of the students. Andrea Souza, a Forensic Interviewer at the CAC stated, “I wish I had an event like this back when I was in high school. The Career Fair is an awesome opportunity for these kids to get informed and learn more about careers that they could potentially want to pursue later in life.”

The Academy of Engineering was also well represented, with many businesses eager to engage the students with interactive materials and exhibits that were brought along with them. When asked about how he felt the Career Fair went, Ken Campanale from Tegra Medical LLC stated, “I feel the fair was a success. The students were well behaved and well prepared. They followed the questions on the assignment booklet and asked follow up questions. Some of the students who had a strong interest in the company were very conversational!”

The Greater New Bedford Connecting Activities Partnership would also like to mention that we will begin placing students in internships for the Spring semester! If any business is looking to host a high school intern or would like to just learn more information about the program, please reach out to Brenna Souza, at 508-999-5231 x29 or bsouza@newbedfordchamber.com.

About the Connecting Activities Partnership
The Greater New Bedford Connecting Activities Partnership, a collaboration of the City of New Bedford Office of the Mayor, the Greater New Bedford Workforce Investment Board and Youth Council, Bristol Community College and The One SouthCoast Chamber of Commerce, promotes the connecting of academic and workplace learning through Connecting Activities workplace internships. Area employers assist High School seniors to make more informed decisions about their future education and career choices. Currently, we service students at Dartmouth High School, Fairhaven High School, New Bedford High School, Old Colony Regional Vocational Technical High School and Old Rochester Regional High School. More information about the partnership is available at www.newbedfordchamber.com or by calling (508) 999-5231.

It is part of the Chamber’s responsibility to inform business leaders, decision makers and residents of relevant issues and developments that will effect both the business community and general public throughout the area.  Off Shore Wind is an innovative new source of energy that is quickly coming to the SouthCoast and will have an economic impact on the operations of local businesses and community as a whole.

The February edition of Good Morning SouthCoast! will feature an experienced panel of experts and professionals who will discuss Off Shore Wind, answer questions, and share vital information from all perspectives on this new form of renewable energy. The discussion will feature a panel including:

•  Paul Vigeant, managing director of the New Bedford Wind Energy Center;

• Derek Santos, executive director of the New Bedford Economic Development Council;

•  Ed Anthes-Washburn, director of the Port of New Bedford;

• Matthew Morrissey, Massachusetts vice president for Deepwater Wind, one of three developers looking to build wind farms south of Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket.

•  Michael J. Ausere, V.P., Business Development, Eversource

Join us on February 9th 2017 at the Waypoint Event Center from 7:30 am to 9:00 am to learn more about the development of Off Shore Wind locally and how it will influence the future of the SouthCoast economically and socially.  Registration for the event is now available online here or for more information contact Deven Tillman, Programs and Events Manage at (508) 999 5231 ext 26.

Sponsored by:

By Brianna Alves, Intern

Look no further for Texas Bar-B-Que! All Friends Smokehouse located on 549 American Legion Hwy Westport, MA is your place for everything barbeque. The restaurant opened in October of 2014, making it 2 years that it’s been serving up the SouthCoast area with award-winning, homemade, fresh, and high quality foods. The full service restaurant offers a good mixture of Texas style BBQ and American cuisine. The beer and wine are from local venders around the SouthCoast. They offer full catering services for any type of event you may have. All Friend Smokehouse uses produce from local farms; the meats are smoked fresh on site and the sauces and dressings are made by the employees.

All Friends Smokehouse believes in giving back to the community and has donated to non-profits such Club Madeirense S.S. Sacramento, Inc., and the Tiverton Library. They have also participated in Downtown New Bedford Inc.’s “Taste of SouthCoast” and “Chowderfest”. The owner Jonathan Abreu, a life-long New Bedford resident, has always been involved in community organizations and activities. Mr. Abreu is looking forward to meeting and working with other business in the area. He says “It is important to be involved in the local community to meet current and future customers as well as meeting fellow business men and women who have gone through similar work experiences.”

All Friends Smokehouse won several awards such as 3rd place for People Choice at the Taste of SouthCoast, 2nd place for the Judges and People Choice for Quahog at the Chowerfest, and 3rd place for the Signature Soup. In April 2016, All Friends Smokehouse was voted the number four BBQ restaurant in the SouthCoast by East Bay Magazine.

We invite you to participate in the annual selection process to name the Greater New Bedford Area’s “APEX Business Awards”.  The One SouthCoast Chamber of Commerce recognizes the achievements and contributions businesses make to the creation of job opportunities and the economic development of the region.  In April, we will turn a special spotlight on local organizations and their valuable contributions to our community at the APEX Business Awards Ceremony.  Please take a few moments to complete this nomination form to recognize a business in the region.

Nominees must fall under one of the following categories and have been in business for more than three consecutive years under the current ownership.

• Large Business – employing 50 or more full-time employees
• Small Business – employing 49 or fewer full-time employees
  (two part-time employees’ equal one full-time employee)
• Nonprofit Organization (501.c.3) and/or an Educational Institutions

DOWNLOAD THE NOMINATION FORM HERE

Recipients will be announced at the APEX Awards Luncheon scheduled for April 2017.
All nominees and finalist will receive recognition at this event.

The APEX Awards are sponsored by:

Is your company hiring?

Are you looking for a “rock-star” to take your business to the next level?

If so, then the “SouthCoast Job Fair” is the place you need to be!

The One SouthCoast Chamber of Commerce, the Greater New Bedford Career Center, Bristol Community College and Lifestream will be once again hosting its annual “SouthCoast Job Fair” on Thursday, April 20, 2017 from 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. at the Z. Walter Janiak Field House on the campus of Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical High School, located at 1121 Ashley Boulevard, New Bedford, MA.

The region’s largest career and hiring event of the year, the “SouthCoast Job Fair” will provide your business with an opportunity to interact one on one with a large group of talented job seekers. Our goal is to help you make connections to meet the workforce needs of your businesses.

Admission is FREE for attendees with a resume!

Recruiter/Employer Information:
Exhibit Table Dimensions & Booth Pricing:
6-foot table (no electricity) – $350
8-foot table (with electricity) – $400

Multiple Table Discounts – If renting more than one table, you will receive $50 off each additional table.
Early Registration Discount – $50 off for exhibitors registered on or before February 11, 2017.

Each Employer Will Receive:
• 8 or 6-foot table (depending on choice and or availability)
• 2 Chairs
• Breakfast & Lunch provided by The One SouthCoast Chamber
• Access to electrical outlets (must be requested)
• Access to hundreds of well-prepared job seekers

Registrations will be accepted until Monday, April 17, 2016, or, until capacity is reached.

All job seekers and attendees are also encouraged to take part in our complimentary professional headshots photo booth, courtesy of Imagemakers Photographic Artists of New Bedford.

If you or your business is interested in participating in the “SouthCoast Job Fair,” please contact SouthCoast Chamber of Commerce Business Development and Public Policy Manager Ian Abreu at (508) 999-5231, ext. 24, or, via email at iabreu@newbedfordchamber.com. Registration is also available online here.