BiddefordSacoChamber: Chamber Annual Meeting Speech

Reflection is a good teacher for direction. The slide show that has been running all morning should serve as a reminder of the positive momentum we are developing as a Chamber. And while we have minimal opportunity to push back the wave of economic downturn we have been feeling since 2008, we do have the fortitude to stand tall and say Biddeford-Saco is open for business and do everything we can to provide consumers, both residents and visitors, with the very best experiences. Biddeford-Saco is York County’s economic heart. We must pump positive information out through the arteries of our connections at the press, our elected officials, advertising and promotion for tourism and retail and be a steadfast partner with our thriving manufacturing sector. The Chamber stands fast in its readiness and ability to do all these things.

While I’m proud of the changes and the great work we accomplished last year, I think it is more important to look ahead. Down-turning economics and lower than acceptable public perception has taken its toll on our membership. We must change this course. I believe that collectively Biddeford-Saco and the surrounding communities, in which we have members, must come together and change the conversations, change the negative perceptions and make membership in the Chamber heartfelt. I want you to be proud to be a Chamber member. I want you to be able to speak of the ways we enhance your business and our community like it were dinner table conversation.

In 2012, The Chamber will enhance its role as a convener. We have several learning sessions and workshops planned to help inform our members and the public on issues of great importance. We will continue to bring you access to elected officials, candidates for public office and issues of importance in our community. Just yesterday, I met with Governor LePage and was able to speak positively of our area and your businesses. We are continuously evaluating ourselves. We look for every opportunity, be it our new enhanced website or a mobile app, an advertising program in the newspaper or the Buy Local campaign, to highlight our members. In 2012, we will focus more on member to member benefits and ensuring that you are getting optimum value for your dues. We will participate in events that will bring consumers to our area like the Travel Show that Christie Pratt and I recently attended in Philadelphia. We will participate in local and state government to ensure that your businesses are recognized and heard as a voice of reason and economic security throughout this region.

All I seek in return is your support. If you believe we are doing everything we can to be your trade association of choice, I ask you to recruit one business.

If everyone recruits one business to join our membership, we will gain the strength and recognition this region deserves.

At 800 members, which is still 4-500 businesses below the potential membership of this area-we would rank in the top 5 Chambers in the state.

Membership is one measurement of success. I assure you, the Chamber staff, Board and volunteers will be working tirelessly to earn other measurements such as effectiveness, political recognition and most importantly integrity.