Opportunities

Dear Friend,  When It Rains, It Pours And I mean that it a good way. Over the past couple of weeks I have been part of four different events/opportunities that can make tremendous difference in your organization. Our goal is to find as many ways as possible for you to be successful. Check these out.

Programme COREX I mentioned in a previous Director's Desk that the New England states plus New York were working with Quebec to improve cross border economic opportunities. During the launch luncheon in Montreal we were introduced to a new B2B platform that will improve communications between companies that want to do business. To get this product off the ground, any company that is even remotely interested in cross border relations should go to the following website and pre-register. More will follow.  http://www.corexb2b.com/ Area Guide Each year the Chamber partners with the St. Albans Messenger to publish an Area Guide to promote businesses and organizations in Franklin County. This guide reaches people throughout the Northeast including Quebec. The many people who pick up this guide are your direct customers - they are looking for you! The Messenger staff will be contacting you with an opportunity to place your ad in this year's guide. By the way, as a Chamber member you are offered a discount on the ad rates. If you haven't been contacted yet, you can start the process by contacting Jeremy at jeremy@samessenger.com. I love easy email addresses! Swanton Community Visit Phase 3 I cannot say enough about the excitement and possibilities that surround the Swanton Community Visit project. Once again the room was full of volunteers who want to see this corner of Franklin County blossom. The Phase 3 meeting was where the rubber begins to meet the road. People joined groups and began to carve out priorities and assets. People were raising their hands to say, Yes, this is an opportunity to make a difference. It is not too late to get involved. Contact Hank or Molly Lambert at hanklambert@comcast.net. Strategies for Success I know it is still a week away but this one has me pretty excited. Dorey Demers from RiseVT and NMC will be conducting a seminar called "Using Social Media to Expand Your Business." You may know something about Facebook but Dorey knows great things about Facebook. Another free opportunity for Chamber members ($10 for non-members). As of this morning, there were only 10 spots left - Register Here. Did You Know? "When people use your BRAND as a VERB, that is Remarkable." ~Meg Whitman For your brand to be used as a verb, your brand must be memorable and: deliver your promise clearly, relay your credibility, make an emotional connection with your target, motivate your audience to take action, and create unsurpassed customer loyalty. Get out there today and turn your BRAND into a VERB!

Please make a Chamber membership part of your success strategy. Thank you for your continued support of the Chamber in your community.

Dave Southwick