President’s & CEO’s Update – July 2026
July 7, 2026 (Please note there was no report published in June 2026)
With summer comes one of the busiest and most exciting times of the year for the Chamber, our members, and our communities. From welcoming visitors and supporting local businesses to hosting signature events and advocating on behalf of our members, the pace has certainly picked up. It has been especially rewarding to see our towns full of activity and to watch the months of planning begin to come to life.
That activity has been evident throughout the region as the summer tourism season gets into full swing. Battle of Gloucester weekend, St. Peter’s Fiesta, and Fourth of July celebrations have brought tremendous energy to our communities, while beautiful weather has encouraged visitors to spend more time exploring Cape Ann. We’ve also been pleased to welcome many international visitors extending their trips following FIFA World Cup matches, particularly from Scotland and Norway. Combined with the MBTA’s Free Train Fridays program, which has introduced even more visitors to our region, it has been a terrific start to the season. To help welcome these guests, the Chamber Visitor Center is now open on weekends, and our staff has been busy connecting visitors with local businesses, attractions, lodging, dining, and events throughout our five communities.
June also marked the arrival and distribution of the 2026 Greater Cape Ann Guide and our community maps. Together, more than 210,000 guides and maps will be distributed throughout the year, making these publications some of the Chamber’s most valuable marketing tools. From visitor centers and local businesses to hotels, attractions, and regional tourism partners, these publications help showcase our members while encouraging visitors to explore, shop, dine, and stay throughout Greater Cape Ann.
Before looking ahead, June was another productive month for the Chamber. Our Small Business University seminar series continued to provide practical and relevant educational opportunities for local businesses, reinforcing our commitment to helping members navigate today’s evolving business environment.
We were also proud to celebrate our annual Small Business Week Community Awards throughout the month, recognizing outstanding businesses and individuals who make meaningful contributions to the economic vitality of Gloucester, Rockport, Essex, Manchester-by-the-Sea, and Ipswich. These celebrations are always a reminder of the remarkable entrepreneurs, employers, and community leaders who help make our region such a special place to live, work, and do business.
Our June Business After Hours was held at Misselwood Estate as our annual multichamber networking event in partnership with four neighboring Chambers of Commerce. This collaborative event brought together professionals from across the North Shore, creating new opportunities to build relationships, exchange ideas, and strengthen regional connections. We are grateful to our chamber partners and the Misselwood team for another outstanding evening.
Looking ahead to July, our calendar is full of opportunities to connect, celebrate, and showcase everything our region has to offer. On Saturday, July 11, we kick off the first of three Gloucester Main Street Block Parties with the year’s only Saturday evening event from 6:00 to 10:00 p.m. These popular celebrations bring thousands of residents and visitors downtown to enjoy live entertainment, local businesses, dining, and the vibrant energy of Gloucester’s downtown.
Networking continues on Wednesday, July 15, with our next Business After Hours, hosted by the Amanda Armstrong Group from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at a one-of-a-kind property located at 370 Summer Street in Manchester-by-the-Sea. We look forward to another enjoyable evening of making new connections while showcasing one of the community’s unique homes.
On Saturday, July 18, we invite everyone to join us for the Blackburn Brew Fest from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. This signature Chamber event continues to grow each year, bringing together outstanding craft breweries, local food vendors, live music, and a beautiful waterfront setting for an unforgettable summer evening.
Although it falls on August 1, planning is also wrapping up for Festival by the Sea in Manchester-by-the-Sea. More than 80 craft vendors will fill downtown from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., complemented by live music, sidewalk sales from local businesses, and a free shuttle to make visiting easy and enjoyable. We are also well underway with preparations for the 44th Annual Gloucester Waterfront Festival on August 15 and 16, another signature event that draws thousands of visitors to Cape Ann each summer.
Advocacy remains a core part of the Chamber’s mission, and we continue to work closely with our municipal, state, and regional partners on issues affecting the business community. Whether it’s infrastructure projects, regulatory changes, economic development initiatives, or other local concerns, we encourage our members to keep us informed about the challenges and opportunities they are seeing. Your feedback helps shape our advocacy efforts and ensures we continue to represent the interests of businesses throughout our communities.
As always, thank you for your continued support, participation, and partnership. Summer is one of the most important times of the year for our region, and we are excited to continue working alongside our members to make it a successful season for everyone.
Warmly,
Keith Harris, President, GCACC Board of Directors
Sam Bevins, CEO, Greater Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce