Dividends-May 2005

Presidents Message
by Dick Ingram

Things are happening in Portsmouth!

During the long winter, our many restaurants, attractions and gathering places offered respite from the weather and the opportunity to enjoy the unique lure of Portsmouth with friends and family. Now that Spring is upon us, the city is alive both outside and inside!

Our streets bustle with residents and visitors enjoying the longer (and warmer!) days. Businesses both large and small tell me that they are enjoying a busy Spring and looking forward to a very good 2005. We are attracting visitors drawn to the City's many charms. For example, later this month Shriners from across New Hampshire will spend a weekend in the city. They will be spreading their unique brand of good cheer and the news of the good work their hospitals perform for so many across the country. They are just one example of the many people who want to visit Portsmouth, let's give them and all our visitors a taste of what makes Portsmouth special.

As we begin to enjoy the season that is upon us, Portsmouth is a community still hard at work. Broad based efforts to preserve the future of the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard continue. Community support for these efforts has been truly unprecedented. Nearly 10,000 letters of support have been delivered to the Pentagon. Our "Rolling Rally" drew national media attention. And the community demonstrated its strong support for our Shipyard through the many marchers who endured torrential downpours to help us make our point-that the Shipyard deserves to continue as a primary contributor to our national security. No where else in the country has this type of support been demonstrated. We are proud to work with the Seacoast Shipyard Association, other area chambers of commerce, and our local, state and federal elected officials to make the case that our friends and neighbors who work at the Shipyard are the best in the world at what they do.

Other work is before us as well. Our city leaders are well into the process of crafting a budget for the next fiscal year. Public hearings will be held during May and June. I urge business leaders and residents to be part of the process, not just spectators. We are lucky in Portsmouth. Information about city government, including information on operating and capital budgets, as well as all city programs, is easily accessible. The city's website at www.cityofportsmouth.com is easy to navigate and provides all the information anyone could need about the budget, when meetings are being held, and how to access city programs and services. The Chamber attends these public meetings to represent the interests of the business community. If you have a point you would like to share, please call or email me at (603) 436-3988, ext. 16, or dingram@portsmouthchamber.org. You will have a special opportunity to be part of the give and take of local government when the Chamber presents its annual "State of the City" program May 18 at our monthly breakfast forum. I hope to see you there.

Included in the city's capital improvement plan are a number of improvements in the downtown area, such as improved traffic signaling, restored crosswalks and paving improvements. This plan was developed with significant input from city departments and the public. Managing the many projects that are planned, and coordinating them to minimize any disruptions to our normal routine, is no small undertaking. While we might always like to see more done and sooner, progress is the order of the day here in Portsmouth.

Another significant undertaking that is moving forward is the planning for the Sheraton Conference Center. The developers recently held work sessions with the Historic District Commission to solicit input and guidance prior to a public hearing in June. Both the developers and the members on the commission deserve our gratitude for the effort they are making to ensure this is the best possible project for Portsmouth.

The Chamber supports this project and we feel that it offers many benefits for the community. Like the Hilton Garden Hotel, where work recently began, it will further the redevelopment of the Northern Tier. These projects, and others in the future, will provide a gateway between downtown and the neighborhoods that surround Maplewood Avenue. It will provide attractive new parking alternatives. It will attract business and visitors that currently bypass Portsmouth. It will enhance Portsmouth's reputation as a premier destination for business and personal travel. And it will expand the core downtown district and bring new opportunity to those businesses currently somewhat removed from Market Square.

Looking ahead to next month, you should mark your calendar for June 23. That is the date of the Chamber's annual dinner, business meeting and awards. This year's event will be held at the Seacoast Science Center. Nicole Gregg and the annual dinner committee are putting together another wonderful event, one that you will not want to miss as we will celebrate Portsmouth in a special way. The annual meeting also means that you will be receiving notice in the mail later this month about nominations to the Chamber board of directors and proposed revisions to the chamber bylaws. The board and staff look forward to seeing you at this year's annual dinner.

We continue to believe that when business is healthy the community is healthy. We are here to serve our members and the wider community. Put us to work for you!

Chamber News

Annual Dinner Travels to the
New Seacoast Science Center
June 23 Event to Spotlight Local Naturalists and Performers

This year's annual dinner and awards celebration will exchange the opulence of the Wentworth by the Sea for the natural beauty of the shoreline as the venue moves to the newly renovated Seacoast Science Center at Odiorne Point in Rye. The dinner is set for 5:30-9 p.m., June 23.

The evening will feature vignettes presented by the Seacoast Repertory Theatre, Prescott Park Arts Festival and other local entertainers.

Another key aspect of the annual dinner is to recognize those who have contributed to the organization's success and the community as members of the board of directors. Proposed and outgoing officers will be recognized and members will have the opportunity to meet and vote on the proposed slate of new board members. Chamber members should look for dinner invitations and a letter in mid-May. The letter will detail the proposed new slate of officers and changes to the bylaws.

The annual dinner will also recognize this year's group of annual award winners including business, small business, volunteer and citizen of the year.

Sponsorship opportunities are still available for the annual dinner. For more information, visit the Chamber's website home page at www.portsmouthchamber.org and click on the annual dinner event link, or contact Nicole Gregg, the Chamber's event manager at (603) 436-3988, ext. 11, or email ngregg@portsmouthchamber.org.

The Chamber thanks the following annual dinner committee members for their efforts in putting together this year's festivities: Jay Levy, Merrill Lynch, chair; Becky Dominguez, York Harbor Inn; Jessica Dominguez, Ethan Allen; Alison Egnaczyk, Access Sports Medicine; Cathy Clark, Portsmouth Copy & Blueprint; and Sarah Robillard, Bank of America.

Cost of the event will be $100 for Chamber members and guests. For more details, contact the Chamber at (603) 436-3988, ext. 11.

Danversbank Signs On
Golf Tournament Marquee
Slots Sold Out, Limited Sponsorships left for Contest

Danversbank took the lead this year in underwriting the 22nd Annual Greater Portsmouth Chamber of Commerce Golf Tournament.

This year's competition, set for June 3 at the Links at Outlook, is sold out including many of the major sponsorships. According to Nicole Gregg, Chamber events manager, there are only a handful of green sponsorships left for $100 each.

More than 120 golfers are signed up for the day, which will feature barbecues, raffles and a chance at the coveted Championship Cup. The Chamber thanks the following major sponsors for their support of this year's tournament: Danversbank, marquee sponsor; Irving Oil, Cart; Global Technical Talent, 19th Hole; Black Hawk Capital, driving range; Lee Hecht Harrison, putting green; Seacoast Mazda, hole-in-one car prize-a Saab SUV from Saab of Nashua; jet ski or ATV hole-in-one sponsored by Chris Houldsworth of Cousins Home Lending ; and a hot tub hole-in-one prize from Great Bay Spa & Sauna.

Members Urged to Verify
Business Information
Deadline for Membership Directory Corrections May 23

Over the next three months, the Chamber will be producing the 2005 issue of Coastline Magazine which includes a comprehensive business directory spotlighting more than 1,000 members. Deliver is projected for mid-August. Members should take time in the next three weeks to review their business information and update any inaccurate information. Directory information for Coastline will be pulled from the main database May 31, deadline for corrections is May 23.

In past years, the Chamber has mailed verification forms that were used correct errors. Members now have access to their information online through a "member logon" at www.portsmouthchamber.org. To expedite the update of information, the staff encourages members to logon and check out their business details. Logon requires a username and password that members should have received via letter or during the application process. Those who don't have that information, or who do not have access to the Chamber's web site, should contact Katie Goodspeed, the Chamber's member services manager, at (603) 436-3988, ext. 27 or email kgoodspeed@portsmouthchamber.org.

As part of the update process, the Chamber is also asking members to include a 25 to 30-word description of their business. The descriptions will be used by Chamber staff to provide referrals and develop customized information lists in response to inquiries.

Last Chance to Book an Ad
in Coastline Magazine
Be the First to Make a Big Impression on Newcomers

Coastline Magazine, the region's most comprehensive relocation and business-to-business guide, is currently in production. Ad space is now available to Chamber members interested in being the first to make a lasting impression on individuals and businesses moving into the Greater Portsmouth area and their fellow colleagues.

Thousands of magazines are mailed out each year to prospective new businesses and residents through the Chamber, the Pease Development Authority, NH DRED, the City of Portsmouth and the many real estate companies that service the Greater Seacoast area. The contents are also available to a worldwide audience through the Chamber's Internet website at www.portsmouthchamber .org. This year's rates have been held to last year's prices, so don't miss this chance to take advantage of this award-winning relocation and business-to-business guide.

To find out more about the benefits of advertising in Coastline, contact Kendra Frangos, the Chamber's membership development manager, at (603) 436-3988, ext. 18 or kfrangos@portsmouthchamber.org; or Katie Goodspeed, membership services manager, at (603) 436-3988, ext. 27, or kgoodspeed@portsmouthchamber.org.

To see a list of this year's current group of advertisers, Coastline's editorial lineup, and additional advertising opportunities to support the Portsmouth Peace Treaty Centennial Celebration, visit www.portsmouthchamber.org/coastline2005.cfm.

Chamber' Tourism Arm
Makes Pre-Season Splash
Ads & Travel Show Spots Get Area on World's Radar Screen

The Chamber got an early start setting the stage for this year's tourism season with cooperative advertising in the National Geographic Traveler Magazine and the Boston Business Journal, and a traveling roadshow presence at the American Bus Association annual conference in Chicago, the Canadian Sales Mission, the Discover New England (DNE) Conference and the recent New England Meeting Planners International Conference and Exposition (NEMICE) in Boston.

According to Marge Hubbard, tourism manager and the Chamber's representative at the various shows, the Chamber has received more than 3,000 leads from the ads and various shows-1,200 from the January/February issue of Traveler Magazine alone. "The Canadian Sales Mission was terrific!" she said. "We showed at mini-expos in Montreal, Toronto and St. Catherine's where the turnout was excellent. I spoke with many tour operators, travel agents and travel writers who seemed very interested in the NH Seacoast and Portsmouth."

The Boston Business Journal ad targeted meeting planners and invited them to the Chamber's booth at NEMICE to find out more about venues and amenities in the Portsmouth area. Representatives from Strawbery Banke Museum and the Isles of Shoals Steamship Company joined Hubbard in Boston to help market the Seacoast. The DNE conference provided an opportunity to interface with tour operators, travel agents and travel writers that promote New England to the international markets, particularly the United Kingdom and Germany.

The Chamber thanks the many sponsors who helped to make this year's preseason tourism and marketing program possible. To see the list visit www.portsmouthchamber.org/tourismpromotion.cfm.

 Chamber Events

BREAKFAST WITH NH GOV. JOHN LYNCH

NH Gov. John Lynch made his first official foray into the Seacoast March 30 as keynote speaker at a special Seacoast Chambers of Commerce State of the State Breakfast. The event, underwritten by Public Service of NH and Ocean National Bank, was held at the NH Community Technical College.

The Governor told an audience of nearly 200 guests from throughout the Seacoast that his goal was to resolve some of the state's most pressing issues like school funding, rising health insurance costs and making government accessible to the people. He also said he would be working to tear down partisan barriers and build collaborative partnerships within state government to deal with the many challenges facing the state.

During the session, he praised Dr. Lionel Tracey who recently took his place as the state's first education commissioner. Dr. Tracy, formerly the Portsmouth superintendent of schools, has been an active participant with the Chamber in the efforts of the Business Education Collaborative.

Talking specifically to the high cost of health insurance in the Seacoast, Gov. Lynch pledged to push the passage of House Bill 611 which was created to mitigate some most detrimental aspects of Senate Bill 110. The breakfast program was a collaborative effort of the six Seacoast Chambers: Dover, Exeter, Hampton, Portsmouth, Rochester and Somersworth. " For more on the story from the local press, visit the Chamber's online library at www.portsmouthchamber.org/library.cfm and check the breakfast links under "articles."

PUBLIC POLICY BREAKFAST WITH RICK MINARD

Standing over a the "Ragtime" moniker from one of the Seacoast Repertory Theatre's past shows, Rick Minard, coexecutive director of the NH Center for Public Policy Studies, presented a statistical look at the state's economic position to nearly 100 members and guests at the April Bank of America Speaker Series Breakfast.

The focus of the report was meant to answer the question, "is the Greater Portsmouth area a microcosm of New Hampshire or is it in a class by itself and what will the Seacoast look like in 2015. Minard covered considerations related to the state budget, state aid to education, health care finance and the projected evolution of state demographics that will drive decisions made in those areas.

For a PowerPoint copy of the complete presentation and links to press coverage, visit the Chamber's online library at www.portsmouthchamber.org/library.cfm.

Following the presentation, the Chamber recognized a number of volunteers with a token of tangible thanks through a raffle in honor of National Volunteer Appreciation Week. Winners were Paul Ford, Regal Limousine, Diane Hodun, Sise Inn, Chris Houldsworth, Cousins Home Lending and Nancy Carmer, City of Portsmouth, all won Clay Hill Farm gift certificates; Sarah Robillard, Bank of America, and Shawn Shapiro, Port City Chiropractic, received Flatbread gift certificates; Becky Dominguez, York Harbor Inn, picked up a Massage at Equinox; Warren Daniel, NHSBDC, won a Cocheco River Tour; and Karen Provazza, Seacoast Science Center, received a set of Seacoast Repertory Theatre tickets.

BUSINESS AFTER HOURS HAT TRICK

April's business after hours schedule proved to be a networking hat trick for more than 300 Chamber members and guests who got the opportunity to visit three downtown hosts: Bank of New Hampshire, Attrezzi and the Portsmouth Gaslight Co.

The month's social calendar kicked off April 6 with an evening at the downtown bank. There, a group of new members fresh out of the monthly member orientation mingled with the veteran crowd while munching on light hors d'oeuvres provided by the host.

For hockey fans the evening proved especially rewarding in the door prize department as Marc Bouchard, CM IT Solutions picked up a Ray Borque autographed hockey stick, and Rich Pettigrew, Keller Williams drew a Ray Borque bobble head (whose value, according the bank staff, was nearly $400 on eBay). Other door prize winners were Shannon McMullen, Junior Achievement, who scored a $100 gift certificate to Staples; and Eric Weinrieb, Altus Engineering, Inc., and Regan McCarthy, Ensconce Data Technology, who both received elegant picnic packs complete with glasses and refreshment from the vine.

Later in the month, attention turned to the newly renovated Gaslight and Attrezzi. Visitors started the evening, April 28, with a look at Attrezzi's comprehensive collection of Mediterranean décor, food specialities and wine. Then it was up to the Gaslight's new night club where it was wall-to-wall humanity as the Chamber's curious came out in droves to check out the new digs.

You could tell it was Spring as the door prizes turned to flowers and dinner out; Sean Clancy, Success Coach, and Judy Pinkham, United Way of the Greater Seacoast, both picked up an attractive flower arrangement courtesy of Ambrosia Gardens; Jeff Winters, Cisco Systems, and Jeff Greene, Hunter Greene Carpentry, drew unusual bouquets of real imprinted roses; Dan Witham, Sheraton Harborside Portsmouth Hotel, and Pamela Jacques, Wilson Travel, won dinner for two in the new upscale Portsmouth Gaslight dining room; and Kim Curtis, FNX Radio picked up cooking classes for two at Attrezzi.

Movers and Shakers

Fleet Street Wireless, a division of Online Communications, LLC located in Greenland, N.H, is now open at 110 Fleet St. in downtown Portsmouth. The store is a Sprint PCS Select Retailer offering a full line of Sprint PCS phones, service plans, and phone accessories. Pat Burns, owner of Online Communications in Greenland for over 5 years, partnered up with fellow Portsmouth resident Carrie Colby in November to open the doors to their new store. For more, visit www.fleetstreetwireless.com.

Governor John Lynch and Citizens Bank New Hampshire President and CEO Thomas Metzger recently announced a $100 million fund that will offer low-interest loans to companies that commit to creating or expanding jobs in New England. The Citizens Job Bank, the first of its kind in the Granite State, will help create more than 2,500 new jobs in New Hampshire and throughout New England. Companies interested in obtaining more information about the program may visit www.NHeconomy.com, contact the NH Business Resource Center office at (603) 271-2591 or Citizens Bank at (888)-358-0100.

General Linen and Uniform Service Inc. has added several new members to its management team. The expanded management team comes on the heels of the company's acquisition of Tartan Textile Services - a move that has increased General Linen Services' customer base by 20 percent. New employees include: Sue Skiles, human resources manager; Richard Cloutier, production manager; Julie Cope, executive administrative assistant to the president and vice president; Steve Marcq, service manager ; and Catherine Froehling, accounts receivable manager. To learn more visit, www.generallinen.com.

Portsmouth-based Harbour Light Strategic Marketing has been selected to develop and launch a new advertising and branding initiative for its client McLane, Graf, Raulerson Middleton, LLP, New Hampshire's largest law firm. Work will include advertising, internet and database marketing. Harbour Light Strategic Marketing is a strategic planning and full-service creative company specializing in packaged goods, consumer goods/services, business to business, sporting goods, real estate, publishing/mass communication and hospitality/recreation. For more, visit www.harbourlight.com.

Waterlot Media Consultants, a media planning and buying agency for small and medium enterprises, recently announced the launch of two new services: Post Media Analysis (PMA-II) and Advertising Expenditure Analysis (AEA). PMA-II is an upgrade to the popular PMA-I and offers the client a more in-depth advertising performance review. AEA is a detailed discovery of the client's advertising budget, usage and effectiveness with special focus placed on telephone directory placement, outdoor and online optimization. For more, visit www.waterlotmedia.com.

United Way of the Greater Seacoast recently welcomed Cheryl Rau as the new director of marketing and communication for the organization Rau may be reached at crau@uwgs.org or (603) 436-5554, ext. 21.

Cabot House Furniture of Portsmouth recently welcomed two new employees to its team: Terry Risden and Alysun Perreault. Risden , formerly of Allen Wayside Furniture, has 25 years of experience in sales in the Seacoast. Perreault is a graduate of the Art Institute of Ft. Lauderdale and will assist customers with their design needs. For more on the store, visit www.cabothousefurniture.com.

The Kane Company recently assisted in the sale of 37 Acres of land on Sixth Street in Dover to Veterinarian Drs. Mike Davis, Jacqueline Bartol and Deme Erickson of the Rochester Equine Clinic. The new owners are building a 34,000 square-foot equine emergency and referral hospital to serve horse owners and equine veterinarians from the New England region and beyond.

One of New Hampshire Film Expo's (NHFX) cofounders, Dan Hannon, along with Scott Sandler and Kane Ng, recently sold their speculative script, "Trudain Rising" to Paramount Pictures. The story is about a pair of orphaned brothers, the younger of whom discovers he's imbued with supernatural powers from a dwindling race and is besieged by alien assassins. Happy Madison and Lorenzo Di Bonaventura will oversee the project. NHFX will be celebrating their fifth birthday this fall in Portsmouth. For more on NHFX, visit www.nhfx.com.

Bella Intimates recently moved to a larger space at Rosewood at Rye. Owner Shelly Manougian invites Chamber members to her Grand reopening scheduled for 4:30-7:30 p.m., May 11. Festivities include a ribbon cutting ceremony followed by a wine and cheese reception. Manougian, a certified mastectomy fitter, said the space will allow her to offer breast cancer survivors the latest in breast prosthetics including "Radient Impressions," a custom-fit breast form that will mirror a woman's existing breast. The shop also offers a wide selection of bra's and swimwear for women with post surgery needs.

Peter Hamblett, president and CEO of Federal Savings Bank, recently recognized the work of Laura DuBay with the bank's excellence award. The award is presented annually to the employee who "truly exemplifies the bank's philosophy." DuBay is the branch supervisor for FSB's Barrington office.

Under the direction of Chorusmaster James Dodge, The Yankee Clipper Chorus of Portsmouth recently won distinctions at several competitions and may be headed for the international competition. The group won "Best Great Small Chorus in Maine and New Hampshire" at the regional competition in Nashua and "Most Improved Chorus at a more competitive district competition held at the famous Lowell (MA.) Auditorium. The Yankee Clipper Chorus hosts open rehearsals every Tuesday, at 7 p.m, in the vestry hall of the Portsmouth Christian Advent Church. For details, call Ted at 603)433-9180.

The Comfort Inn Portsmouth recently welcomed Margaret Regan as its new sales manager. Regan comes to the position with 20 years of tourism and hospitality experience. Some of her recent honors include being chosen as the Southern Maine Coast representative for a 2003 sales mission to The United Kingdom and the 2003 Maine Tourism Association Award for contributions to regional tourism. For more on the local accommodation, visit www.comfortinnportsmouth.com

Calypso Communications, a local issues-driven marketing, graphic design, and public relations agency announced that Elizabeth Edwards, the company's editorial director, was recently honored by Emerson College in Boston for her 2004 poetry collection, The Chronic Liar Buys a Canary. The college's annual celebration, called "In the Limelight," acknowledges faculty that have written or edited a book or CD-ROM in the previous year. In addition to writing full-time for Calypso's growing list of clients, Edwards also teaches an advanced undergraduate poetry course at Emerson. For more on Calypso, visit www.calypsocom.com.

Junior Achievement of NH was recently featured in a Union Leader article about the organization's company program operating within the JA Academy based at Southern New Hampshire University. The article ran in a special "Teen" insert in the Union Leader which also featured student-created companies hosted by Bank of New Hampshire, Timberland and Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield. For more on the JA program, visit  newhampshire.ja.org.

Kittery Outlets Association invites Chamber members to its AAA Membership Appreciation Day set for 9 a.m.-3 p.m., May 20. All AAA members will get a VIP Savings Book filled with discount coupons. The first 200 people to register will also received a free gift bag filled with addition coupons including a free pass to Water Country in Portsmouth. For more information, visit www.thekitteryoutlets.com.

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