Ed Epstein, Financial Benefits,
Looks Back on His First Year as Chairman

It’s hard to believe that a whole year has passed since I took over as Chairman of the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce.

A lot has happened in the past year. The Chamber has had its fair share of “firsts,” and so has its Chairman. I made my pitching and singing debut on an evening last summer with our own Manchester Silkworms at Northwest Park. After my experience throwing out the first pitch and leading the seventh-inning stretch, “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” sing-along, I can assure you I won’t  be quitting my day job any time soon!

I am pleased to report to you that the Chamber has had another banner year. Our membership continues to grow. New members are getting involved as soon as they join. And existing members are more visible at events. We have so many new faces now that nametags are a necessity. As our membership grows and involvement increases, our Chamber becomes stronger and more diverse.

The Deskbook Directory, now in its 10^th year, has become a mainstay in the community with businesses and residents.  And increasingly our members see the value in taking advantage of this full year’s worth of advertising to their market. The Directory is a year round hit.

Now in its third publication, the Town Map is following in the Directory’s footsteps in popularity with the community. 15,000 maps fly out the door annually. And, again, members take full advantage of the opportunities provided to reach their market.

As for a few of the Chamber’s “firsts,” this year  for the first time in its 105 year history, the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce spoke out more strongly than ever in opposition to a proposal that it believed would seriously and negatively impact Manchester’s taxpayers, both business and residential. Members, non-members, and residents, rallied under the Chamber banner in opposition to this proposed public policy issue.

While the Chamber’s stance on this issue did not prevail, all of us are very proud that our Chamber took the lead in our firm belief that what is good for Manchester is good for the business community.

And a few more “firsts,” our June, 2006 golf tournament was sold out before Christmas, and last month’s Business to Business Expo followed suit just after Christmas. And both of these events already have waiting lists for 2007.

Our Chamber is growing, busy, active and pro-active. We are, in my opinion, the lead Chamber in our region. And this is made possible by the contributions of our members’ time and talent. We  are fortunate to have you as members.

Thank You to our Executive Committee and Board of Directors whose guidance and wisdom can always be counted on. And to retiring Board Members, Joseph Bucceri, Dave Jacoboski, and Fran McIntyre, thank you. We will miss you. Welcome to our incoming Board Members, Ken Charpentier, Katherine Kamerer, Sean Lindsay, and Michael Nowicky. We look forward to working with you.

And Thank You to our Ambassador Club whose visits  with members are an invaluable aid in member retention.

Thank You to our members for getting involved, attending events, or working on committees; and thank you to those who take advantage of the Chamber’s knowledge as a resource. As we assist you in finding the answers you need, our value to members increases as we learn more. Thank you to all for the support the Chamber always receives in its efforts for the entire Manchester Community.

And Thank you to Sue O’Connor and her staff: Amy Belske, April DiFalco, and Lisa Maley. They successfully juggle the numerous balls that the Chamber keeps in the air at all times,  and they make it look easy. It is obvious as we look at the Chamber’s year, that no ball has been dropped.

Congratulations to Anne Miller of Anne Miller Real Estate. Anne is truly deserving of this year’s Community Achievement Award.  Her involvement in local, state and professional organizations is incredible. Manchester is a richer community, thanks to people like Anne Miller.

I’m proud to serve as the Chamber’s Chairman of the Board and I look forward to continuing my term. Please feel free to contact me at any time, or let’s meet at a Chamber event, maybe it will be your “first” with the Chamber.