A Letter to the Membership...

Fellow Members,

We are please to send out the Greater Hudson Chamber of Commerce Annual Report to you.  Often we get busy with our own work and family schedule that its hard to keep up on the goings on of other businesses around you.  It is with that in mind that we have had this report prepared for our members.  You “hire” the Chamber to maintain a strong business climate in the Greater Hudson area  to grow and strengthen the local marketplace that you depend on to sell your products and services; to build a high-quality, well-trained work-force; to keep you informed about local and regional decisions and /or issues affecting your business; and to assure continued economic opportunities and high quality of life for our communities.  Truly, the front door to your community since 1969.

The Chamber’s effectiveness is wholly dependent upon its leaders AND each of its members.  The leaders must frame all courses of action with the question, “Does this path enhance the benefits of Chamber membership?” At the same time, each member must ask himself or herself, “Am I expecting more than I am willing to give?”  This is your organization; you no longer let things happen, you make things happen.

We are often asked “What’s in it for me?”  Well the chamber is many things to many people, but the following are some of the functions we have challenged ourselves with for you.

• The Chamber Answers your mail… many inquiry packets are mailed out monthly containing information about the surrounding area, demographics, your business and you.
• We are your Spokesperson … your voice on local questions of taxation and legislation issues affecting your business.
• Your Sales Manager and business promoter … The Chamber sells our town, your products and services to residents and visitors.  Everyday we promote our community.  The Hudson Chamber refers its members to people asking for specific products or services and encourages a “members using member products/services” point of view.
• We create Networking opportunities… with Chamber sponsored as well as member-sponsored events, networking is a great way for you to meet new clients, customers or partners to better your business.
• The Gr. Hudson Chamber is your Goodwill ambassador … letting people everywhere know about commercial, cultural, and recreational facilities and events, bringing trade to the area.
• We are your local Community Advocate … Improving community understanding of the free enterprise system, face-to-face, frank exchanges of views between local business people and the community government, at meetings and special forums.

The goals of the Greater Hudson Chamber are to serve, support and promote its members, through networking, community involvement, information services and public awareness.  Your Greater Hudson Chamber of Commerce also continues its mission to encourage a vibrant and diverse economy in which to live and work. 

Businesses working together is the essence of the GHCC; entrepreneurs pulling together to promote and develop the economic base, new businesses locating to Hudson so that local job opportunities increase and now a greater resolve to unite the efforts of the business community as competition is increasing regionally as well as locally.

The GHCC is an advantage your businesses needs!

• Annual Awards Recognition
• Silent Auction for Charity - The Tradition Continues
• GHCC Working Hard For It's Members
• Welcome New Members
• Committees and Programs
• We Belong...
• The Year in Pictures - (PDF file)
  

Annual Awards Recognition (Return to Top)

The 37th Annual Award Dinner "Spring Into The Future" was held in March 2006 to award Leo Dumont Jr. as Citizen of the Year, Jaimie Zablocki of Litchfield and Yiyi Xia of Hudson as Junior Citizens of the Year, Melissa Hoffman Dance Center of Hudson as Small Business of the Year and Public Service of New Hampshire as Large Business of the Year.

On hand to speak and offer congratulations to these winners was Governor John Lynch. Also the Junior Citizens of the Year, Jaimie and Yiyi, were each presented with a scholarship of $1,000 from the Chamber to continue educational endeavors. The outgoing President, Sheila Crete for the Member of the Year, made the last presentation of awards; this award recognizes the unselfish commitment and involvement by a member of the Chamber. This award was presented to Sheryl and Steve Forkey of Web Action Group.

Executive Sponsor was BAE Systems and Sam’s Club along with Corporate Sponsors: Citizens Bank, Public Service of NH, Southern NH Bank and St. Mary’s Bank.  Printing sponsor was Quality Press, Trophy Sponsor was Harris Trophy and Floral Sponsor was Anne’s Country Florals. 

Nominations are currently being sought for the Citizen, Junior Citizen and Business of the Year Awards!  Look for more information as the 38th Annual Awards are being planned for March 2007.

Silent Auction for Charity - The Tradition Continues (Return to Top)

The Annual Holiday for Charity held December 2005 raised $3,757 for the St. Vincent de Paul Society, which is operated through St. John the Evangelist Church in Hudson. This organization assists local families in need with utility bills, and during the holidays distributes food and gift baskets during the holidays. It was through the generosity of more than 60 business members and over 110 attendees that the Chamber could award this contribution and at the same time enjoy a fun night networking, garnering new acquaintances and business contacts and leave with great prizes.

This long-standing holiday tradition is one way our local businesses continue to contribute back to the community and certainly couldn’t have been done without the generous support of its members. In 2004 the event raised a record $6,479; in 2003 the auction raised $5,260 and in 2002 the auction raised $2,400. The previous year the auction raised $2,755 and in 2000 it raised $1,555 for local families. For the past five years the total contributions raised by the GHCC and its members has amounted to $22,127!! 

We hope you will be able to join us on Thursday, December 7th at 6PM at King's Court in Hudson. Dinner is $25 per person. We are in the process of actively seeking items for the silent auction. Contact the chamber office if you would like to contribute or plan on attending this highly anticipated annual event!

GHCC Working Hard For It's Members (Return to Top)

We often measure our success by the net profit/loss on the financial statements, but sometimes it is important to look elsewhere for the answers. It is great to see how much "talk" there is about our Chamber. Positive press and word of mouth are great indicators of how well we are doing our jobs. If we are here to represent our members and our community at large, than we should be well known and we should have a positive image.

Our Marketing approach of press releases sent to the local media on the ongoing happenings of our Chamber, have been greatly received. The state of the art website has attracted new members and proven a great source in sending business your way. The website has an average of 400 hits a month with over 150 of them occurring on the member directory page. A recent survey was also sent to our membership seeking input on how the GHCC was performing from members point of view. These surveys brought constructive ideas and suggestions that are invaluable as well as positive statements with regards to the workings of the Chamber.

We are also working on publicizing each of our individual businesses with welcome packages to our new members by collecting "widgets" and coupons from members . call the Chamber for details 889-4731. This is a free benefit to our members to spread the word about your company! Another great way to bring new customers to you are the monthly events, where door prizes are handed out. If you would like to contribute to the drawings drop off your "prize", be it a gift certificate or product, to the Chamber.

Welcome New Members (Return to Top)

Committees and Programs (Return to Top)

Legislative Bulletins-Raw information regarding the status of legislation, commentary on issues, and upcoming hearings is collected then in turn pulled together in a concise bulletin for transmittal via fax to the membership. These bulletins will keep the business community aware of any legislature that will impact their business performance and give each member the opportunity to respond to their representatives. By utilizing this added benefit, the Chamber encourages its members to voice its opinion on issues affecting business. Make sure we have your fax or email address so you can receive these bulletins from January through June.

Many of the accomplishments of the Gr. Hudson Chamber are fulfilled with the help of its many committees. The Annual Award Dinner Committee worked hard to pull together a wonderful Annual Dinner. Nominations are being sought for the Citizen, Junior Citizen and Business of the Year Awards!

The Networking Advantage
An enormous advantage that Chamber members receive is the monthly programs planned by the Program Committee. In order to enable all its members to attend, these meetings have been sponsored at no charge to you, with the exception of the dinner/breakfast meetings, where there is a nominal fee. If you have ideas, suggestions or want to help plan the Chamber's monthly events join us!

2006 Events:

• January was a breakfast held at Checkers in Alvirne to elect the incoming board of directors and hear guest speaker NH Insurance Commissioner Roger Sevigny speaking about the rising costs of Health Insurance, reasons behind it, how we can control it and what businesses can do. 

• February brought us to the Kozy Kitchen for a business after hours and then we were welcomed to Independent Electric Supply for a Grand Opening Ribbon Cutting Celebration with great food & fun.
  
• March was the GHCC 37th Annual Awards Dinner with Governor John Lynch as Guest Speaker  to recognize our Citizens and Businesses of the Year and award our scholarships to the Jr. Citizens.

• April took us to a BAH at Chiropractic Works for an enjoyable networking event. The membership then joined the Center for Physical Therapy & Exercise in a grand opening as they opened their newest offices in Hudson.

• May allowed us an opportunity to meet the great group at Citizens Bank along with a tour of the Chamber’s offices.  The GHCC teamed up the Town of Hudson to bring an Economic Development Conference where everyone could offer their feedback on issues regarding the future of economic and community development in Hudson.

• June brought us to Collins Dentistry for Children with Dr. Nilfa & her staff.  Also in June, was the GHCC Annual Scholarship Fundraising Cookout at Sam's Club where we earned a matching grant of $1,000 from Sam's Club & Wal-Mart. Thanks to all the volunteers’ cooks and servers and sponsors.

• July allowed everyone to visit the new home of the Center for Physical Therapy & Exercise. A Business Policy Roundtable was held with the Business & Industry Association of New Hampshire at BAE Systems to learn the issues you want addressed in the upcoming legislative year.

• August had everyone joining St. Mary’s Bank for a huge turnout of guests—the networking, food, music and warm welcome was outstanding for all.  Then a ribbon cutting was held at the offices of Todd & Chamberlin Orthodontics as Dr. Anne Todd has fully acquired the office with the recent retirement of Dr. Chamberlin.  

• September was the GHCC Annual Expo, which showcased our chamber businesses to the community.  The Expo was another success as everyone had a chance to benefit by making new connections.  AVI—Pro welcomed the chamber members to their showroom of home entertainment items with a ribbon cutting celebrating their grand opening.

• October was a time to commemorate Red Brick Clothing’s growth and success—everyone had a chance to print their own t-shirt and watch as an embroidered shirt was created for every guest.  Specialty Kitchens kicked of their Open House with a ribbon cutting celebration at their new showroom location!  Another fun trip was also planned for a day off at the casino.

• November Business After Hours will be hosted by Dr. Dan’s Acorn Acres Cat Hospital—Don’t miss the chance to network and welcome Dr. Dan to the community.

• December we will again enjoy the Annual Dinner & Silent Auction for Charity at King's Court Banquet Hall- the Tradition continues with lots of prizes, socializing and networking!

All of these events have proven an advantage to our members in networking and meeting new business contacts or customers. We always welcome new faces and if you have not yet joined us or it's been a while, we look forward to seeing you soon!

If you would like to host an event, we plan ahead so feel free to start planning with us now.

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.