A Letter to the Membership from the President...

Building a Stronger Chamber

This year I am happy to report the Gr. Hudson Chamber of Commerce continues to thrive as we grew to 180 members of united voices for local commerce.  Your support, participation and volunteerism are the very essence of the Chamber and the reason the GHCC continues to move forward. 

Time and time again people admit they get out of the Chamber what they put in, and they are not always talking about the money.  Although our members can enjoy many benefits of membership without effort, certainly the most rewarding and perhaps most recognized is the benefit of active participation. 

Working as a team, each committee and volunteer allows us to build a stronger Chamber.  We invite you to take a look inside the accomplishments of each of the committees as highlighted in this “Year in Review” and if you and others in your organization are seeking more involvement in your Chamber, the invitation is there for you to join us sharing new ideas and enthusiasm, which will ensure our further growth.

Businesses’ working together is the essence of the GHCC and its effectiveness is wholly dependent upon its leaders and each of its members.  This is your organization; you can no longer let things happen, you have the opportunity to make things happen.

By joining the GHCC you have taken the first step in reaping benefits and rewards each member can expect and you have our commitment that we will continue to keep the Chamber working for you. To further gain the advantage of your membership with the GHCC advance yourself and your business by joining a committee, sharing input and participating.  The payback is there with each new connection achieved. 

Thank you for the opportunity to serve as your President these past two years.

Timothy Malley

TJ Malley Electric

2007 & 2008 GHCC President

• Business - Education Committee
• Marketing Committee
• Ambassador Committee
• Membership Committee
• Program Committee
• We Belong...
  
  

BUSINESS - EDUCATION COMMITTEE (Return to Top)

The Business-Education Committee has three basic missions first, to initiate and provide a partnership with the educational community to assist in increasing the educational quality and content to reflect the needs of the business community. Second they are responsible for seeking nominations for Businesses, Citizens and Junior Citizens of the Year.  Lastly, they are working to develop school to career programs such as job shadowing and/or internships by working with the Career and Technical Education Center at Alvirne. 

The committee, chaired by Jerry Mayotte, has worked diligently with Dick Lutz, CTE Director at Alvirne over the past year.   As a result a survey was put together for the marketing students at the school where they met with chamber members.  The experience was a great opportunity for these future business minded young adults and a chance for chamber members to give feedback regarding what they want to see for educational offerings at the school as well as what type of benefits the GHCC can provide.

With the feedback the committee worked to re-vamp the Adult Education Programs offered at Alvirne’s Vocational Technical Center.  In an age where the desire for immediate gratification and everyone’s ever changing schedules don’t allow for long term commitments, the school is offering the community “One Nighters” as an alternative to lengthy classes.  For a cost of $20 (some classes vary) you can learn tips and tricks in such programs as PowerPoint, Excel and what to do with all those digital pictures. Then there is the Culinary Arts Around the World—enjoy learning and tasting a new cuisine. Registration for these One Night Programs is ongoing at Alvirnehs.org

Going forward, the committee is supporting the 2nd Annual Career, College & Curriculum Day on January 29th.  This day consists of booths for businesses, adjoining colleges and programs offered to achieve that profession. GHCC Members are invited to participate as we work to connect business and education!  This committee meets in the GHCC office every first Wednesday of the month from 8:00 AM to 9:00 AM.

Jerry Mayotte

Red Brick Clothing

GHCC Director & Business/Education Committee Chair

MARKETING COMMITTEE (Return to Top)

The Marketing Committee has been designated to implement and devise strategies intended to attract new members, while promoting the GHCC; continue to review current member benefits, programs and services; and to generate marketing products that generate revenue and/or visibility for the GHCC and its members. 

As the committee chair, Dr. Scott Szela and the committee created the monthly insert in the Hudson-Litchfield Newspaper offering members an affordable method of reaching over 12,000 homes with a full color ad insert for only $133 per month for 3 months.  In keeping with the promotion of “supporting our local businesses” the committee further contracted a weekly ad in the HLN to run for 12 weeks for a cost of only $12 per week.  As a combined offering the consistent advertising may have been out of reach for some, however as a combined effort the cost is kept affordable.

The committee has also worked to expand utilization of the GHCC website, which receives over 700 views a month, with the creation of the Member-to-Member Marketplace, an Employment Listing and Commercial Property resource—all free to the membership.

In addition the committee will begin putting together the Annual Membership Directory and Community Guide.  The guide is provided to each member, anyone inquiring about the community and included in relocation requests.  To further utilize this resource, the committee will be encouraging businesses, town offices and other locations to offer a supply of the Directory to the public. 

Do you have ideas? Come to a meeting! This committee meets in the GHCC office every First Thursday of the month from 8:00 AM to 9:00 AM.

Dr. Scott Szela

Chiropractic Works

GHCC Director & Marketing Committee Chair

AMBASSADOR COMMITTEE (Return to Top)

Meeting new people, making others feel welcome—is this something you enjoy? Then the Ambassador Committee may be a great fit for you.  The basic goals of this committee are to orient new members while encouraging members to participate in GHCC programs. 

The Ambassador Committee is chaired by Steve Forkey and co-chaired by his wife Sheryl.  Many new members have probably already met Sheryl as she has delivered many new member welcome baskets over that past several years!  Besides the face-to-face connection this group brings at events and with the welcome baskets, they are working behind the scenes connecting with members to personally invite and remind everyone of the impending events.

Not only has the committee been reaching out to the GHCC members but this past August they diligently contacted over 600 local businesses to invite them to the recently held Membership Drive Event. 

Their success—it’s the personal approach, welcoming smiles and ability to connect! 

You are invited to meet more people, represent the GHCC and your business as an Ambassador—attend the next meeting held the every Third Thursday of the month in the GHCC office from 8:00 AM to 9:00 AM.

Steve Forkey

Web Action Group

GHCC Director & Ambassador Committee Chair

MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE (Return to Top)

Strength in Numbers—this may possibly be the motto for this committee. The Membership Committee, chaired by Jim Hedlund, has been tasked with the mission to recruit new members by ten percent; retain current members; and establish resources to reach out to new and existing businesses.

A daunting task but under Jim’s leadership the committee held its first ever Membership Drive in August which was a huge success.  The committee invited business owners and professionals to find out more about the Chamber and its commitment to the business community.  This one event alone brought in seventeen new members! 

Membership for the GHCC has increased this year so far with 38 new members for over 180 members in total.  The GHCC may be made up of a majority of small business owners but the GHCC has greatly expanded and strengthened over the years.  In 1998 the membership consisted of 90 members—doubling since that time. 

As a GHCC member, you too can add to our numbers.  Anytime you talk with a vendor, business customer or client take a moment to share with them all the reasons you belong—the benefits you have derived—the connections you have experienced.  Each new member allows us to grow and with that growth our local businesses grow!

The committee continues to look at benefits, programs and reasons businesses should be chamber members.  The feedback you give is necessary to the growth of the GHCC and the business community.

Do you have ideas you want to share to encourage new members or assist current members—then attend the next Membership Committee meeting; you are a vital part of the process! This committee meets in the GHCC office every Fourth Tuesday of the Month from 12:00 noon to 1:00 PM.

Jim Hedlund

Advanced Spa And Pool

GHCC Director & Membership Committee Chair

PROGRAM COMMITTEE (Return to Top)

The committee continues to look at benefits, programs and reasons businesses should be chamber members.  The feedback you give is necessary to the growth of the GHCC and the business community. Do you have ideas you want to share to encourage new members or assist current members—then attend the next Membership Committee meeting; you are a vital part of the process!

The Program Committee works to create implement and plan programs and events that bring members, non-members and at times the community together.  

Current ongoing programs:

Annual Awards Dinner usually held in March to honor Businesses and Citizens of the Year.  The GHCC invites a distinguished and relative speaker to this prestigious event.  Past speakers have been US Senators John McCain, Joe Lieberman, Bob Dole, John Sununu, Congressman Charlie Bass, Governor’s Craig Benson, John Lynch, Senator Bob Clegg as well as prominent area businessmen and motivational speakers. 

Community Expo, held annually in September, to invite the public to meet the businesses in their community.  The goal to connect local residents with their business neighbors, highlighting services and products of our members. 

Scholarship Fundraising Cookout, which occurs in June, aids the Chamber in raising funds to award to outstanding high school seniors who excel academically and selflessly give back to their community.  Over the past nine years the GHCC has given over $13,000 in scholarships due to the fundraising efforts of the GHCC membership and community grants from Sam’s Club and Wal-Mart. 

Silent Auction & Dinner for Charity, held in December to benefit the local community.  If you haven’t been to this event yet, you are definitely missing a great time for a very worthwhile cause.  In the past nine years the GHCC has raised over $30,000 for the St. Vincent de Paul Society, which maintains a food pantry, assists elderly with heating, rent and Medicare expenses, distributes holiday food baskets and gifts to families in need. 

In addition to the above annual events the Program Committee plans the monthly Business After Hour Networking events and Ribbon Cutting Celebrations for members interested in more exposure, inviting GHCC members to their place of business. 

Multi-Chamber programs with other chambers such as Merrimack, Nashua, Souhegan Valley and Salem are also coordinated to expand members networking opportunities.  Currently in the works is a Speed Networking event with the Salem Chamber.

The Program Committee was also responsible this year in putting together a Legislative Roundtable with all the local State Representatives.  The event allowed the business community a one-on-one conversation with their legislative body asking questions and sharing concerns they have from a business perspective.   The GHCC also works with the NH Business & Industry Association to annually host a Legislative Roundtable to further discuss legislative concerns giving members a voice for which BIA relies on when lobbying on behalf of NH businesses.

As many of us already have full schedules occupied with family, friends and business commitments, the GHCC Program Committee works to find the best venues and programs that will make the best use of our time.  If you or others in your organization have ideas for a program or event you think will benefit business and are interested in aiding in the planning and development you’re invited to attend the next Program Committee! This committee meets the First Tuesday of each month in the GHCC office from 12:00 noon to 1:00 PM.

Sandy Russo

AuctionLodge.com

GHCC Director & Acting Program Chair

We Belong... (Return to Top)

The Greater Hudson Chamber is also a member of New Hampshire Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives, NHACCE, which is a network of peers who provide support among the local chambers.

In addition the Hudson Chamber is a member of the US Chamber of Commerce keeping up with the goings on in Washington as well as a member of BIA of New Hampshire keeping up with issues in NH to aid us in having a better informed membership.