May CACC Update from Susan & Ken: Reflection ~ Imagination
April was windy and wet, as usual, but the weather also brought a fantastic opportunity for our region. The Chamber was awarded a grant from the Massachusetts Office of Business, called Cape Ann Comeback. In collaboration with all four Cape Ann communities, the grant provides additional pandemic relief for Cape Ann businesses hardest hit by the pandemic – please see the separate newsletter item below for additional information. We are also working with all Cape Ann communities on their recently received recent Local Rapid Recovery Program (LRRP) grants, and continue supporting business re-openings as a top priority.
Our online networking events remain very popular, and we are gearing-up for what is looking to be a fantastic summer visitor season. We are going to print shortly with our full complement of publications – 260,000 total pieces in print as the Cape Ann Guide and Directory, Cape Ann Map and Rockport Map – we anticipate a big year. In addition, we continuously update content on our four (4) websites and associated social media pages. We’ve shifted into high gear on Spring and Summer event planning, including preparing to open our Rockport Visitor Center by Memorial Day and we’ll be open seven days a week in Gloucester. Also, our annual Spring Tourism Mixer is planned for May 6 at the newly renamed and beautifully refurbished Emerson Inn by the Sea in Rockport.
We have several other events planned in May. Our popular virtual Coffee & Connections will be on Friday May 7 at 9 AM, and our virtual Business After Hours is the fourth Wednesday on May 26 at 4:30 PM – this will be our last virtual BAH – we go in-person in June, and we can’t wait! May’s main event is our annual Education Fundraiser Golf Tournament, on the 24th, at Bass Rocks Golf Club. We are sold out for golfers, but there is still opportunity to sponsor. Proceeds from the tournament support everything the Chambers does for our Education Priority, including our Career & College Fair, DECA support, Career Days, classroom business training, internships, and scholarships.
Our Annual Celebration is on Friday, June 18th outside at Maritime Gloucester. Normally in January, we postponed it to June….for obvious reasons. This will be the first time our Chamber business family will be together in well over a year, and we are ready to break loose. The event is outside under a tent and is going to sell out, so make your reservations today. Join us as we formally welcome Susan Gould-Coviello to the helm and our incoming new Board members, and thank our outgoing President, Tony Sapienza and exiting Board Members. This will be a more casual affair than most years and features the band Mad House who are sure to rock the docks!
Our affiliated Cape Ann Community Foundation is in its fifth annual grants cycle, having awarded more than $50,000 in grants to date to over 15 local area non-profits and all three Cape Ann school systems. Grant proceeds are from the beautiful Cape Ann license plate. The Registry disabled online purchasing of the plates last year due to the pandemic, but they are still available at the RMV offices (Danvers is closest to Cape Ann). Your local insurer and auto dealer can help you with this or call the Chamber if you would like more information.
The Chamber works for you every day with free directory listings in print and on our multiple websites, while spotlighting your business and sharing your news through our social media channels, weekly e-newsletters and monthly e-magazines. We also offer multiple advertising and sponsorship opportunities. Our monthly networking and signature community events are great ways for you to make connections and grow your business. Join one of our many committees to support the Cape Ann community and grow your connections. USE US – we are here for you!
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.
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