2 great days in a row!

For starters I'm alive and have another day to love on people.  Sometimes I take life for granted.  After all it's a blessing. I'm learning to be present, instead of the alternative - on auto pilot.  Have you noticed that sometimes you are really present, in the moment.  I want to live like that all the time.  I don't want to be that person that has a conversation with someone and never absorb what they said.  Technology is creating robots, seriously.  For instance, the kid or adult that crosses the road and don't even make sure that it's safe.  They make sure that their facebook post or text goes through but do they know what color your car was when they crossed it? Anyhow, I'm not sure why I went on that rant.  

I'm really grateful for the relationships that I have.  I've developed a lot of them personally and through the Chamber.  Like I've said in my first blog "I love the Membership".  I went out to lunch today with Chamber Member, Michele Johnson, aka Michele's Team/Jones Group Realtors.  Every time I get together with her I find that we are more and more alike. Well, that's pretty good because I like her lol.  That must mean that I like myself.  Our lives have a lot of similarities.  We went to Mi Tierra in Hadley; I know, I went there yesterday too.  That says a lot for them.  Tip - go there early to get a seat.  It looks like Salsa Dancing is in my future.  Apparently, Mi Tierra is starting Saturday night Salsa Dancing.  I can not go and make a fool out of myself alone so feel free to join me. 

Yesterday I said how I was working on this Relocation Guide; still WORKING on it. I just really need it to get out of the office and in print.  At least I'll have fun showing it off and dropping a box or two off at the area Hotels and Realtors.

Is it only Wednesday? 

Ha!  The boss man just asked what Frozen is.  Yep, you can tell he don't have kids.  

Member Outreach

Today I met with Brenda Lee, Hadley Farms Meeting House. Some of our conversation was about the upcoming Margarita Madness!!! This will be our first year hosting the event at Hadley Farms Meeting House.  It's a great location - I'm sure you'll love.  I got together with Brenda because of her position new at HFMH and I wanted to get to know her and keep her in the loop with Chamber Benefits. Brenda has a great personality and I'm sure that she's going to do great over there.  After my meeting with her I went across the street to Mi Tierra...delicious.  It was my first time having lunch at their new location on 48 Russell St., Hadley...Will not be my last.  For starters they brought out fresh hot chips.  Second, I had the Sopa de Tortilla, which has a cheesy mix at the bottom; what a nice surprise. Lastly, I devoured the Spicy Pork Burritto which was absolutely delicious!  After lunch I spoke with the General Manager, Derek about Mi Tierra having a table at Margarita Madness. So it's official...Mi Tierra will be at Margarita Madness on March 26th 2015.

It's been a really great day today.  I love when I get out and visit with members, they make my day!


Also, I've been working on the Relocation Guide today.  It's going to be different in size this year...More user friendly.

In the beginning

Welcome to my blog. 

Since I started working at the Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce my role has changed quite a bit.  Starting off at first being Office Manager, then to Membership & Events Manager, and currently Marketing & Membership Director. Well cross pollinated if you ask me. But that's what's exciting about working for the Chamber. There is never the same day twice. Shortly after I started working at the Chamber I realized what a great membership we have.  Everyone is so friendly and approachable.  There were real relationships being built here.  I quickly fell in love with the membership.  One person that stuck out of the crowd was Youssef Fadel, New England Promotional Marketing. Youssef's involvement in the Chamber was so significant - Board of Director - Golf Tournament Committee -Taste of Amherst Committee - WinterFest Committee - Program Committee and giving referral after referral - whenever in conversation.  His involvement is so intense that after remarking on his passion within the Chamber that conversation had lead him to becoming the MVP Award recipient aka (youssef fadel award) of the 2012 Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce's Annual Awards Dinner.  Way to set the bar Youssef! 

Through the years I've been trying to think of ways to add more benefits to being a member of the Chamber with little to no cost to its member. I noticed that we have had many businesses start-up in the Amherst Area so I started thinking how can we celebrate this milestone?  That's when the Ribbon Cutting Ceremonies came to be.  Since 2012 we have celebrated over 10 Ribbon Cuttings.  Seeing as the Ribbon Cutting Celebrations proved to be successful I've started thinking whats next?  Now I can focus on coming up with another benefit.  Something the Chamber tried to launch in 2006, prior to my coming on board, was the Chamber Gift Card Program.  I figured I'd take a crack at it. Kristine Cole, Manager of Operations, Greater Northampton Chamber of Commerce and Larry Rubin, SwipeIt Technology came to mind.  Kristin had already launched the Northampton Gift Card using SwipeIt Technology's services.  Kristin was a huge help in this process.  She's already done the hard work and passed on all the details to me.  Larry was great too.  I'm pretty sure I blew up his phone and email box.  We ended up launching the the Amherst Area Gift Card just in time for the Holiday Season in 2012.  Since then we have sold over $11,000 in gift card sales!  Big win for our participants.

If you have a benefit in mind that you would like to see, I'm open to suggestions. 

We have had a few transitions here at the Chamber and now things are starting to gel.  Executive Director, Don Courtemanche and Administrative Assistant, Carrie Carbone feel like family and we are ready to bring in the "New Year".  What's it going to bring?  Health, prosperity, new friendships?  Either way it's going to be new and exciting!  

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What's on the horizon ~ Membership outreach