Monthly Edition - April 4, 2023 | | |
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April is Autism Awareness Month
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a common but complex developmental disability, with 1 in 44 American children born in the United States on the autism spectrum. Although doctors generally agree that the cause for autism spectrum disorder is unknown, there are known risk factors. Research indicates that genetics are involved in the vast majority of cases and children born to older parents are at a higher risk for having autism. Parents who have a child on the spectrum have a 2-18% chance of having a second child who is also affected. Read More
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Our Board of Directors and Chamber Team continue to focus on our priorities for 2023 including “Connecting Commerce and Community”. We continue to focus on improving cross promotion of services and events amongst Chamber members, increasing our visibility as a place to live, work, visit and play, enhance cultural initiatives and to continue to grow our economy in a responsible and thoughtful way.
Read Full Report
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Tourism Council Focuses on Future Opportunities…and the May Spring Mixer!
The March meeting of the Greater Cape Ann Tourism Council confirmed what our group has known for quite some time: our region is a wonderful destination for visitors (as well as those of us who make our home here).
Nancy Gardella from the North of Boston Convention and Visitors Bureau was our special guest, and she shared some insights on our region, pointing out that north of Boston is the number three tourism destination in Massachusetts.
Read Full Report
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Get Your Job Openings Seen
Did you know you can post job listings to the Greater Cape Ann Chamber’s website, newsletter and socials? With more people than ever before making career changes, don’t miss out on an opportunity to get your listings in front of the masses! Posting your openings to our website doesn’t end there, it also gets included in future Soundings News editions and automatically to our Facebook page. Right now, there’s more than 25 jobs posted to our website – are yours up there too? Please reach out to Sam Bevins for assistance posting your listings to our site. It’s FREE!
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Weekday Volunteers needed at Gloucester Chamber Office
Do you or someone you know have a few spare hours to fill by giving back to the Greater Cape Ann community? If so, the Chamber is seeking volunteers to help out on weekdays during the winter months. Meet visitors, from around the world, help answer phones, assist with office tasks, and have a fun time with a great team. To learn more, please email Cherl!
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2nd Annual WellFest
Saturday, May 20 | 11 AM - 2 PM
Harvey Park, Rockport MA
WellFest is an event that will promote the broad range of health and wellness services that are right here on greater Cape Ann. This unique event was a big success in 2022 and we’re excited to continue this community experience in a new venue, the beautiful coastal community of Rockport. Due to limited capacity at Harvey Park, there will be a juried vendor selection process this year. Vendor Application deadline has been extended to Friday, April 14.
Download Vendor Application
Download Sponsorship Information
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Greater Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce Arts & Culture Alliance
Inaugural Meeting Announcement
Tuesday, May 23 | 5 - 6:30 PM
Gloucester Stage Company
We are pleased to announce the first official gathering of the newly conceived Greater Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce Arts & Culture Alliance.
We invite artists, arts and culture leaders, creative businesses, gig workers, and non-arts business leaders who want to connect with the Cape Ann creative community. We define “culture” broadly to include maritime heritage, which has always had close alignments with the arts on Cape Ann.
Download Flyer | Learn More & RSVP
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March was a very busy month at the Chamber.
Visit Our Photo Albums
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Cape Ann Caucus in Gloucester | |  |
Division Meetings in All Communities | | |
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ECCF: Essex County Racial Equity Leaders Learning Circle
The Essex County Racial Equity Leaders Learning Circle (EC-RELC for short) is an opportunity for a cohort of about 10 Essex County nonprofits to participate in a shared learning experience designed to support individual and organizational racial equity practice as well as pathways towards more diverse, inclusive, and racially equitable organizations. Over the course of seven months, participating organizations will have the opportunity to go deeper on key racial equity concepts and content and apply this learning real-time through the development and beginning implementation of action plans. Learn More and Apply
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True North Ale Company Launches Straight Up IPA
Ipswich, MA • March 24, 2023
True North Ale Company announces the launch of Straight Up IPA, adding to its offering of year-round core brands. A strong complement to Northern Haze, our flagship, Straight Up IPA pours crystal clear, fills the room with hops aroma, and drinks tropical with just a hint of piney dankness. Read Full Press Release
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Seaside Sustainability Internship Program
During the summer 2023 season, Seaside Sustainability will introduce an in-person initiative as an extension of their Marine Science and Education team. The internship program will be local to the Gloucester, Massachusetts location, so all applicants should be located within 30 minutes of headquarters to be considered, as housing and transportation cannot be provided. The program currently runs for three months from June 1 to September 15, 2023, with an opportunity to extend involvement. We are currently searching for a wonderful group of interns that would come on board with us. Learn More | Apply Online
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Volunteer at the Institution for Savings’ Credit for Life Fair on May 23
The Institution for Savings invites area professionals to volunteer at the 13th Annual Credit for Life Fair at Masconomet Regional High School on Tuesday, May 23 from 9:30am-11:30am. This annual event hosts 1,000 high school juniors from across the North Shore as they play the roles of 25-year-old adults and ‘spend’ their monthly ‘salaries’ on everything they need. Volunteers will staff booths as part of the students’ journey to manage everything from housing, furniture and utilities to lifestyle, transportation, wellness and more. Check out last year’s video to learn more.
Join Greater Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce CEO Steve Buckley as a volunteer at this fun and interactive event. Make it a teambuilding opportunity and recruit a colleague or group from your business to volunteer. Contact mclancy@ifs.bank to sign up or learn more.
Participating high schools: Amesbury, Newburyport, Triton, Pentucket, Ipswich, Hamilton-Wenham, Georgetown, Manchester-Essex, Masconomet, Beverly, Swampscott, Gloucester, and Rockport High Schools.
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Spring into Essex: Essex in Bloom
May 19 - 21
The Town of Essex and the Essex business community are welcoming people back to Downtown Essex to see Essex in Bloom! There will be dining, shop hopping, entertainment, art installations, games, and more.
Get Involved: Essex would love to have your business involved with activities this weekend. A few ideas from businesses on how they might be involved have been:
- Tastings: wine, beer, mead, etc.
- Cooking demos
- Store display
Please fill out this form with information about how your business can be involved. (This information can be updated later on.)
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Mentors Sought for Fall 2023
Wellspring and Gloucester High School (GHS) are searching for community members and young professionals who are interested in sharing their life, education and career experience as mentors to rising GHS juniors and seniors. As a mentor in the Gloucester Mentor Project, mentors work one-to-one with GHS students to help them plan for post-secondary career and education plans, sharing your valuable tips, best practices and advice along the way.
Beginning in Fall 2023, students will be paired with mentors, and they'll meet once per week on Zoom/in-person to discuss opportunities and help them set action steps to reach their goals. Anyone who is interested can email Mary Hardwick, Community Liaison, at MHardwick@wellspringhouse.org for more information, or fill out Wellspring's Volunteer Inquiry Form.
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| FORGE Spring Startup Showcase, Thursday, April 13, 2023 from 4:30 - 7:30 pm.
Kick off Spring by joining us for an exciting evening of networking, startup tabletop demonstrations, and a pitch competition with over $10K in non dilutive funding at the FORGE Spring Startup Showcase. This event, hosted by 3DEXPERIENCE Lab at Dassault Systemes, will bring together startup companies, local suppliers, manufacturers, startup ecosystem organizations, and investors. | | 2023 SBA T.H.R.I.V.E. Program - Learn More and Apply
Deadline Sunday, April 30, 2023 at 11:59 pm
T.H.R.I.V.E. Emerging Leaders Reimagined program takes you on a journey of learning to lead yourself and ultimately translates that knowledge into leading others. It will equip you with skills to overcome the constraints of your business' growth and help you to step forward with a new perspective on leading your team to success. Enhance your leadership abilities, acquire MBA-equivalent knowledge, benefit from personalized business guidance, and establish connections with a group of entrepreneurs, consultants, and specialists | | Department of Industrial Accidents (DIA) awards up to $25,000 to various organizations to fund workplace safety training. Eligible employers within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts covered by the Massachusetts Workers’ Compensation Law (MGL CH. 152) may qualify for funding. | | Cape Ann Works: Keep up to date with Cape Ann Works events and announcements on the Chamber website and post jobs or search candidates at capeannworks.com. | | The Workforce Training Fund Express Program is designed to help businesses respond quickly to change and keep employees engaged. With bite-size grants for just-in-time training and no waiting periods between grants, Express is our fastest path to funding, enhanced with an even more flexible directory of training options and 6 quick steps to success: | | Please check the Business Resources Category in Chamber Blog for Business Resources available to the Cape Ann region! | | |
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Local Sales, Discounts & Promotions
Posting a Shop Our Member deal is a great way to gain exposure for your business by highlighting your special promotions. Take advantage of this FREE member benefit and list yours today by logging into your account!
*Contact Sam at sam@capeannchamber.com if you need assistance
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We extend a big thank you to our supporting sponsors.
If you are interested in promoting with the Greater Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce and sponsoring this newsletter, please contact Ken Riehl at ken@capeannchamber.com
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