Dividends-November 2005
President's Message
by Dick Ingram
Chamber President
Voters in Portsmouth are scheduled to go to the polls on November 8th, about the time that you receive Dividends with this column in it. If you are a Portsmouth resident, I hope that you will vote (or have already done so). I have read and heard speculation that voter turnout will be low because there is less interest in local elections than in state wide or national contests.
I do not understand that sentiment, quite frankly. How can you not care about who is running to lead the community where you live? “All politics is local” as the saying goes and the neighbors you elect to your city council, school board and commissions make significant sacrifices to serve the community. The decisions they make have a direct and immediate impact on your life in the community, your family and your business.
I have shared many conversations recently with business owners, community leaders and friends on the street who are interested in the results of the election. They see the coming years as real opportunities to shape the future of Portsmouth. The outcome of these elections will influence the possibilities we realize. There have been numerous occasions to meet the candidates and evaluate who you would like to lead the city for the next two years. I urge you to remain engaged in the work of the shaping our future together, whether your candidates are the ones elected to serve or not. Our system of government works best when everyone is involved. It is not always as neat and orderly as some would like, but it works.
I encourage our elected leaders to shape a dialogue that encourages people to think about what is best for the broader community of Portsmouth. We have done a good job a developing the voices of our neighborhoods, now we must learn to converse as a community. The analogy I like to use is that of singing a song (those who have heard me sing might think that a curious analogy for one so tone deaf…). In this instance, each neighborhood or interest group might have its own verse to sing, but we all have to come in at the chorus, and sing together on the big themes that bind us together. Portsmouth is very good at singing the verses. We need to improve how we sing the chorus together.
Recently, the speakers at the Seacoast Chambers Business Expo reminded us of the power of working together. The power of “Better Together” is the most important lesson from the fight to save the Shipyard, quite frankly. We ignored state borders and political parties. We ignored keeping score on who got credit. We realized that the goal was bigger than any single person or group. We focused on what was right and the results were historic.
What do you think we could accomplish applying that attitude to questions of downtown development? How might that focus influence discussions about how we utilize our public properties? The possibilities do not end in Portsmouth city proper either. You have heard me say before that many of the issues that challenge us are ones that extend beyond the four walls of Portsmouth. Healthcare costs, ensuring a diverse and affordable housing stock for our workforce, and improving the transportation infrastructure are examples of issues that beg for a debate that raises our focus from what is immediately in front of us to one that encompasses a broader range of possibilities. We need to ask “What is good for us?”, not just “What is good for me?”
As we move into our new fiscal year, and look ahead to the 2006 calendar, the Chamber is recommitting itself to being a place where the business community can look to for leadership. We are committed to listening closely to our members, as well as to those who aren’t yet members. We want to learn from you how the Chamber can help us all succeed, both individually and collectively. Your ideas are important to us, and we are not interested in only hearing the good news. Tell us what you do not like, how you think we can serve you better. Some of the most productive conversations I have had in the past year are with those of you who were unhappy with something. Thank you for giving us the opportunity to do better. Better Together, there is that theme again.
As we head toward the end of the year, I hope that you will join us at our annual holiday auction. Lisa DeStefano, Kendra Frangos and Katie Goodspeed are working hard with the auction committee to bring you a great event. Details are elsewhere in this newsletter, but you can be sure that the great food, exciting auction items and the fellowship of your friends and neighbors will make for a great night out. Join us!
Chamber News
Holiday Auction & Food Tasting
Just Around the Corner
Tasty Treats and Unique Local
Treasures Highlight Annual Gala
Mallets & Palates affords guests the rare opportunity to enjoy a variety of foods, be entertained by auctioneer Joe Shanley, mingle with friends, and even do some “holiday shopping.” The evening gets underway at 5:30 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 17 at the Frank Jones Center in Portsmouth. The auction is underwritten by Business New Hampshire Magazine.
“Come enjoy the evening and if you find an auction item you like, you’ll be helping Area Home Care & Family Services who’ll be getting 10 percent of the proceeds, ” said Lisa DeStefano, auction committee chair. Visit the Mallets & Palates page on the Chamber’s website at www.portsmouthchamber.org/malletsandpalates.cfm to view participating chefs and auction items. “You will find the perfect holiday gifts are available at this event with one easy swing of the mallet,” said DeStefano. And visit often, since the list of chefs and auction wares are growing day by day.”
Some of the highlights of this year’s program include a five-day stay at the LaNapole Castle in the south of France, a year’s worth of mid-week golfing at the Pease Golf Course, a bus charter for 40 from C & J Trailways to Foxwoods (includes $25 gift certificates for all riders) and a full-boat party charter cruise aboard the Isles of Shoals Steamship Company’s M/V Thomas Laighton. Other great offerings this year include exclusive private dinner parties, overnight stays at unique establishments, a variety of hard-to-find and priceless sports tickets, one-of-a kind pieces of art and jewelry and gift baskets filled with local delights.
Guests will also get the opportunity to sample the culinary art of Clay Hill Farm, Victory 96, The Dolphin Striker, Saunders at Rye Harbor, The Blue Mermaid, Three Chimney’s Inn, Governor’s Inn, Edible Arrangements and The Portsmouth Gaslight Company. There will also be live chef demonstrations throughout the night courtesy of Attrezzi and the Blue Mermaid Island Grill.
Tickets may be purchased at the Chamber or ordered via telephone at (603) 610-5513 or info@portsmouthchamber.org. Admission is $25 per person or free for those who buy a chance to win the Chamber’s $10,000 Cash Bash.
The Chamber thanks committee members for helping to make this years event possible.
Chamber Honors Hospitality
Volunteers at Reception
Volunteers Greet & Serve
Thousands of Visitors to Area
The Chamber recently recognized a group of volunteers at a special appreciation reception held Oct. 24 at the Blue Mermaid Restaurant. Over the past year, the group has donated hundreds of hours to greet and assist the tens of thousands of travelers who visit the Chamber’s information center and Market Square kiosk.
During the evening, the special guests sampled specialty hors d’oeuvres, mingled and shared stories from a busy summer season. “The Blue Mermaid did a wonderful job of helping us to thank this committed group of volunteers who help us throughout the year,” said Lisa Proulx, the Chambers’ volunteer coordinator. “It was also helpful for the volunteers – who are promoting Portsmouth businesses everyday – to have a an inside peak at the restaurant and all that they have to offer.”
According to Maureen Arsenault, visitor center supervisor, volunteers assist at the welcome center year round and are responsible providing directions, promoting Chamber-member hotels, restaurants and local businesses, and recommending attractions and events. “They really have been an asset to our staff – particularly during the summer months when we are open seven days a week,” said Arsenault.
Barbara Chrane a retiree from Dover, sees the opportunity as great way to get out, meet new people-and at the same time-share her interest in the Seacoast with travelers to the area. “The hours have been very flexible, and although the Chamber has provided training to prepare the volunteers for the job, I am still learning new things all of the time, said Chrane. “It is a wonderful way to keep active – especially during the winter months.”
Those interested in learning more about becoming a hospitality volunteer this Fall or Winter may contact Proulx at (603)534-7396 or Arsenault at (603)610-5513.
eCoast Angels Plan
Investment Conference
Group Aims to Encourage
Angel Investment in Region
The eCoast Angels investment group, affiliated with the eCoast Technology Roundtable, will present its first-ever investment Angel and Early Stage Capital in New England conference Dec. 1 at the Elks Lodge, located at 500 Jones Ave. in Portsmouth, N.H.
The conference, targeted toward individuals and groups interested in providing seed, early-stage, and expansion capital to entrepreneurial ventures and participants, is expected to draw members of organized angel groups, individual angels, prospective angels, early-stage investment firms, bankers, academics, accountants, lawyers, and public officials. The purpose of the conference, according to George McQuilken, eCoast Technology Roundtable chair, is to examine the state of seed capital in the region, to promote the establishment and growth of angel groups, turn latent angels into investors and to demonstrate investor commitment to building a strong regional economy.
The conference will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and conclude with a cocktail reception and the monthly eBrew from 5 to 7 p.m. Cost of the conference is $50 per person and includes morning coffee and lunch. For more details on the conference and online registration, visit www.ecoastangels.com. The event and eBrew are underwritten by Wiggin & Nourie. The eBrew is open to the public.
Members Urged to Update
Info for 2006 Visitor Guide
Verifications Forms Scheduled
for Mailing by Mid-November
Although the next tourism season is more than six months away, the Chamber has already started production on the 2006 Guide to the Seacoast. To ensure the guide is accurate and up to date, the Chamber urges tourism-related members to complete the annual verification form which is scheduled to mail by mid-November.
The 48-page publication is the region’s most comprehensive guide to attractions, lodging, dining, shopping and visitor services.
As an added aid to the verification and update process, members may also visit the Chamber’s website at www.portsmouthchamber.org/seacoastguide2006.cfm for a look at the listings from the 2005 guide. That information may be printed, corrected and faxed to the Chamber at (603) 436-5118 in lieu of completing the verification form.
Those members who have address, phone or other basic business listing changes should also update that information through the Chamber’s online member login located under the About the Chamber section on the website.
Members with questions should contact Tom Cocchiaro, the Chamber’s communications manager, at (603) 610-5520 or email tcocchiaro@portsmouthchamber.org.
Chamber Events
Seacoast Chambers
Business Expo Resounding Success
B2B Event Featured Keynote Lunch,
100 Exhibitors
More than 100 exhibitors participated in this year’s Seacoast Chambers Business Expo held Oct. 27 at the Flextronics Building, located at the Pease International Tradeport. The event, organized jointly by the Dover, Exeter, Portsmouth, Somersworth, Rochester and York Chambers, featured a keynote luncheon, food from area restaurants, prize drawings and a wealth of networking opportunities for both exhibitors and guests.
Organizers kicked off the expo with a keynote luncheon featuring Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Commander Capt. Jonathan Iverson, Michael Powers, head of the state’s Workforce Opportunity Council; and Catherine Reilly, Maine state economist. Reilly talked about the opportunities created by transcending boundaries citing the campaign to save the shipyard as one of many initiatives being worked jointly by New Hampshire and Maine leaders. Capt. Iverson thanked the community for its support of the shipyard and presented a summary of yard’s economic impact on the area. He said that maintenance projects continue to line up now that the yard is “off the list” and that he expects to add more than 300 workers annually over the next several years to keep up with the schedule.
“One of the biggest things a chamber can offer its members is the opportunity to grow their business,” said Dick Ingram, Chamber president. “The expo provides a perfect environment for that activity—a place where everyone can come together to build new networks, identify new partners and expand their circles of influence.”
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