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Join Us Our Annual Dinner
& Celebration
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The Bedford Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner & Celebration
February 13, 2019
Doubletree Bedford Glen Hotel
6-9- PM
$60.00 per person
Guest Speaker
Massachusetts Superior Court Judge
William Barrett
Bedford citizens, business owners and community leaders are invited to submit nominations to the Chamber for several prestigious awards to be given in February to honor local business representatives.
Each year the Chamber names a Business Person of the Year, Business of the Year, Diversity, Ray of Hope and Outstanding Service to the Chamber Award.
Business Person of the Year:
Conducts their business and themselves with regard to their business dealings in a highly ethical and exemplary manner. Is a good citizen within the community, taking time and effort to serve the community in productive and volunteer efforts.
Business of the Year:
The business is conducted in a highly ethical and exemplary manner. The business is a good citizen to the town by financial and/or resource support to community activities and operations.
Diversity Award:
Has significantly contributed to the diversity awareness in the town. Demonstrates an attentiveness and a willingness to continually improve the atmosphere to work, shop and live in Bedford.
Ray of Hope:
A high school age young people who have performed outstanding service to the Bedford community and/or who by their actions are excellent role models for their peers.
Anyone wishing to make a nomination for any of these awards is encouraged to send the name, address and a brief one page description of the nominee to the Chamber. Deadline for all nominations is January 10, 2019. Awards will be presented at the Chambers' Dinner on February 13, 2019.
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Middlesex 3 Coalition Wraps Up Its Year, Looks to the Future
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By Erin Sandler- Rathe
Middlesex 3 Coalition held its final event for the year on December 6 at the new DCU Operations Center in Chelmsford. DCU co-hosted the event with ahp Architects.
Judy Burke, Executive Director of Institutional Advancement at Middlesex Community College, moderated a panel discussion on the economic outlook for the region in 2019. On the panel were Dr. Mark Melnik, Director of Economic & Public Policy Research at the University of Massachusetts' Donahue Institute; Peter Milano, Senior Business Development Director, Massachusetts Office of Business Development; Peter Farkas, Executive Director for the MassHIRE Greater Lowell Workforce Board; and Dr. Scott Latham, an Associate Professor at the University of Massachusetts, Lowell.
The panelists outlined the state of the current workforce, noting Massachusetts' low unemployment rate and strong growth in the industries of health care, manufacturing, and professional and technical services. Key indicators of strength they mentioned included high rates of education and population growth for the Greater Boston Area. Dr. Melnik in particular, however, stressed that the robust economy is not evenly developed across the state, with Western Massachusetts and the Cape reporting much lower growth and success. Milano addressed that concern by noting that his office actively recruits and incentivizes businesses to locate outside of Boston and Cambridge.
Housing availability and the high cost of living were among the challenges the panelists cited as potentially negative factors looking to the future. Milano noted that Massachusetts is a net exporter of talent in the workforce because our educated workforce can find similar jobs with similar compensation in other parts of the country where they benefit from a lower cost of living.
While the current economy appears robust, Dr. Latham cautioned that it is likely to slow over the next year. The panel identified as imminent challenges for the state our aging population, retention of talent, and the need to upgrade infrastructure. Uncertainty at the federal level will also play a role since 94% of Massachusetts' population growth since 2010 has come from international citizens. Employers in the region cannot feel certain that this pool of workers will continue to be an available resource.
The Middlesex 3 Coalition will resume its events and speaker series in January. Middlesex 3 is a partnership across nine towns surrounding the Middlesex Turnpike and Rte. 3 corridor, with members from business, education, community organizations, and town governments. In attendance from Bedford were Jim Sullivan of DSA Printing, representing the Bedford Chamber of Commerce; Tony Fields, Planning Director for the Town of Bedford; and Alyssa Sandoval, Bedford's Economic Development Coordinator.
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SERVPRO Honors Everyday Heroes with Sponsorship of SERVPRO First Responder Bowl
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SERVPRO is proud to announce the inaugural SERVPRO First Responder Bowl being played at historic Cotton Bowl Stadium. The newly renamed bowl is designed to honor the sacrifice and service of the brave men and women who are the first line of defense in local communities like when the unexpected or the unthinkable happens, according to SERVPRO restoration specialists in the Bedford area. Kickoff for the event, televised by ESPN, is December 26 at 1:30 ET, featuring Boston College Eagles and Boise State Broncos.
"It's a privilege to have the SERVPRO name associated with an event that celebrates the dedication and selflessness of first responders," said Sue Steen, CEO of Servpro Industries, Inc. "These men and women are true hometown heroes and first on the scene when disaster strikes, helping to save lives and protect property."
The SERVPRO First Responder Bowl will honor first responders including police officers, firefighters, EMS workers, correctional officers, search and rescue teams, dispatchers, security guards, federal agents, border patrol agents, and military personnel who have specialized training and are the first to arrive and provide help at the scene of an emergency. Event organizers planned to distribute 10,000 complimentary tickets to verified first responders and their families who sign up at
https://www.firstresponderbowl.com/first-responders. These complimentary tickets are possible thanks to corporate sponsors like SERVPRO and individual fans who choose to "Sponsor a Responder" with a $15 donation when they purchase their general admission tickets.
"The SERVPRO First Responder Bowl is a celebration of the commitment to service demonstrated by the everyday people who willingly put themselves in harm's way to protect the lives and property of their neighbors," said Steen. "SERVPRO is honored to have this opportunity to shine a spotlight on all of these hard working first responders, and their families, and to recognize them for the heroes they are."
SERVPRO is an industry leader and provider of fire and water cleanup and restoration services. For more information on SERVPRO® in the Bedford area, please contact one of the local business owners below. For more information about SERVPRO, please visit
https://www.servpro.com
.
For SERVPRO of Bedford/Lexington please contact Steven Taylor who can be reached at (781) 647-9100 or steve@servprooflexington.com.
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2018 WRAP UP
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We are pleased with the progress made by the Chamber in 2018 and a few of our accomplishments include:
Hosted 16 networking after hours, lunch seminars and breakfast events
Education of residents on the Great Road District Bylaw which passed at town meeting
Sponsored 6 community events: Summer & Winter Walk About, Goddard School Trunk or Treat, Barrett Sotherby's Senior Prom Stroll, Flavors of Bedford, Bicycle Celebration Day & Suzanne & Company Holiday House tour
Increased the visibility of the Chamber and of our members with the community through social media and events
New branding of the Bedford Chamber of Commerce
Collaborated with other area chambers to provide 5 multi-chamber events
Business Development Highlights
Great Road Retail Market Survey - Great feedback for what town residents and people who work in town would like to see.
Sign Illumination Improvements in Industrial Districts
New Business Permitting Guide -Make it easier to start a business in Bedford
Flyer for Small Business Recruitment in Bedford - Assisted town in developing this guide
Hotel Alcohol Policy Amendment-The amendment includes removing the 2 drink without food restriction for hotel guests only
Small Business Guide
Leadership Luncheons - Educational & best practices
Volunteer opportunities &
Certificates of Achievements
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PrepU Admissions and
Test Prep Grand Opening
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The Board thanks outgoing directors Steve Taylor and Danielle Beck for their contribution to the board, as well as President Adam Schwartz for another year of outstanding leadership in making the Bedford Chamber better and stronger than it has ever been.
2019 Executive Committee
President - Erin Sandler - Daydreamers Consulting
1st VP:Josh Franklin - Merrill Lynch
2nd VP: Caitlyn Campopiano- Middlesex CC
Treasurer: Charles Duran - Carlton & Duranm CPAS
Chairman: Adam Schwartz - Couponsurfer
Directors
Sheena Santos - Barrett Sotherby's Realty
Pamela Brown - Brown & Brown, P.C.
Alan Shoemaker - MITRE
Jim Sullivan - DSA Printing
Bud Koor - Great Road Framing
Chuck Gardner - Doubletree Bedford Glen Hotel
Daisey Girifalco - The Bedford Children's Center
Laura Hatziandreou - Express Pizza
Marillian Buono-Missiti - Bouno Pest Control
Maria Borino - Cambridge Savings Bank
Rob Bagdasarian - KB Jewelers
Dick Fields - Lexington Symphony
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Chamber Renewals
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Thank you for your membership with the Bedford Chamber of Commerce!
As a member of the Bedford Chamber of Commerce, you are part of an organization consisting of nearly 150 members representing a wide range of businesses across many industries that includes commercial, civic and individual ventures. Your chamber membership provides you with the following:
· Connections and referrals to potential customers
· Countless year-round networking opportunities - both locally and with other chambers
· Advocacy work with our city and state governments
· Marketing of your business through our website, social media and events
· Exclusive Event Sponsorships
· Regular communications including our e-newsletter, social media posts and mailings
· Year-round educational opportunities
Your annual renewal has been mailed. The invoice reflects a new membership structure that takes into account the growth and changes our membership has experienced over the years and is reflective of the many new businesses and organizations we have welcomed into the community.
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From the Chamber Office
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Is your Business looking for volunteer opportunities for your employees?
Click
HERE for a list of organizations that need help, Certificates of Achievements are provided to all Chamber business members along with photo ops and social media outreach. An optional short video showing your employees doing the volunteer work can be added.
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Do you want to get involved with a Chamber Committee or event?
The Board of Directors are always looking for volunteers to serve on committees and help with events, this is a great way to get involved in the Chamber and maximize your membership by meeting and networking. There are lots of opportunities, please email
Maureen Sullivan
at the Chamber office and explore what might fit your talents and interests.
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What the Chamber
did in December?
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Winter Walk About
Women in Business Luncheon
Ribbon Cutting UPrep
Chamber Holiday Party
Suzanne & Co. Hol
iday House Tour
Board of Directors Meeting
Chamber Connections
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WHO WANTS TO BE ON TV?
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We are so excited to offer our members
another
new FREE benefit!
We are partnering with o
ur friends at Bedford TV to produce a monthly show called CHAMBER CONNECTIONS
. In addition to promoting our events/activities, Chamber members will be interviewed providing great exposure for their business. The show will be broadcast on Public channel and also through their website. Contact the Chamber if you are interested in learning more.
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Check out your fellow Chamber members
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CHAMBER CALENDAR
January 8
Women In Business
Aloft Hotel
727 Marrett Road
Lexington, MA
8:00 AM
February 13
Chamber Annual Dinner & Celebration
DoubleTree Bedford
Glen Hotel
44 Middlesex Turnpike
Bedford, MA 01730
6:00 PM
Guest Speaker
Judge William Barrett
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Atlantic Capital
Baldwin Insurance
Barrett Sotherby's Realty
Baudanza Electric
Bedford Car Wash
Bedford Childrens Center
Bedford Dental Associates
Bedford Family Connection
Bedford Historical Society
Bedford Pediatrics
Bedford Research Foundation
Bernardo Faria Academy
Brightview Concord River
Buono Pest Control
Callahan's Karate Studio
Cambridge Savings Bank
Carlton & Duran, CPAs
Carlton Willard
Chestnut Dental
Daydreamers Consulting
Design 1 Kitchen & Bath
Diane Bridgeman, DDS
Davidson Law
Dsousa Electric
Doyon's
DSA Printing
EDCO Collaborative
Express Pizza
First Parish Church
Fujifilm Microdisks
Great Meadow Dental
Great Road Gallery & Framing
Hanscom Federal Credit Union
Huntington Tax Partners
Instrumentation Labs
Leary Auto
L
exington Symphony
Live Life Well
Mead Brothers
Merrill Lynch
Middlesex Community College
Middlesex Savings Bank
New England Nurseries
Primrose School
Red Heat Tavern
Salon OZ
Sean Tierney Construction
St. Michael's Parish Center
TD Banknorth
Techex
The Armed Forces Retirees Association
Yoga Nova
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Jen Rosier, founder of PrepU Admissions and Test Prep has opened opened a new office at 52 Great Road 
