December GCACC Update from Susan & Ken
With the temperatures falling and days shortening, it is indeed beginning to feel a lot like Christmas…
We are in full holiday mode as we gear up to bring Santa to our region, encourage locals and visitors to shop local, and celebrate the holidays and year in each of our five communities.
We have had a historic 2021, bringing our members and community back together after a most challenging 2020. We celebrated our businesses and the region with more than 100 in-person networking, ribbon cutting and large community events; supported our members and all businesses with substantial training, promotion, and a new online business directory with a large regional grant; and completed a strategic plan which will provide for enhanced member services for years to come including how we offer greater inclusion and diversity services. And oh yes, one more thing, we welcomed Ipswich to our now Greater Cape Ann Chamber and our region.
Our not-so-new beautiful new Visitor Center and Chamber Offices celebrated its one-year anniversary, from which we greeted more than 25,000 visitors, helping them to fully experience our amazing region. We also promoted our members and the region with our premier publications, 260,000 pieces in print, and through four (4!) websites and more than twice as many social media platforms. Our more than a dozen committees were very active on all matters of economic development, tourism, and in support of our schools, businesswomen, young professionals, trades…and many more. And our Cape Ann Community Foundation again granted $15,000 to local area non-profits and schools through the proceeds of the Cape Ann License Plate.
Our Members, the Board, and the Chamber Team are to be credited for this fantastic year, and we thank you. You have allowed us to strengthen our ability to execute our mission: to serve as the leading advocate for business on Greater Cape Ann by promoting our members, growing the regional economy, celebrating our culture, and enhancing our quality of life.
Greater Cape Ann’s vibrant business community plays an important role in what makes this area a special place to live, work and play. Together we are making great things happen, building on our strong heritage to imagine and create a bright future.
This will be the last update from Susan, who, after being at the helm of the Chamber Board of Directors since January 2021, will soon be turning over the reins to incoming 2022 President Caitlinn Pzenny. It’s been a pleasure and almost too much fun to have served as the GCACC’s leader during this historic and impactful year. My theme for the year, Reflection and Imagination, could not have been more appropriate. I look forward to serving on the board as its Chair, joining the Cape Ann Community Foundation and continuing pursuing my specific interests on the Government Affairs, 100th Anniversary and Executive Committee in 2022. Thanks for this opportunity!
We wish you a joyous and safe Holiday season and look forward to working with you in the New Year.
Susan and Ken
