Trekkers is Exhibiting at Chamber of Commerce Business & Community Expo on April 12

Rockport, Maine - Trekkers will be exhibiting at the Penobscot Bay Regional Chamber of Commerce Business & Community Expo at the Samoset Resort on Wednesday, April 12 from 2-7pm. The Trekkers booth will be located in the Knox County Ballroom in booth #75. Staff members from Trekkers will be on hand to talk about the organization, its mission and their expeditionary learning programs for local youth.

The Expo is free admission and opens to the public from 2-7pm. There will be over 100 exhibitors, including community service organizations as well as local businesses ranging from manufacturing to business services. There will be a Chamber of Commerce Business-After-Hours reception from 5-7pm, with food and beverage, which is also open to the public.

Trekkers is an outdoor-based, youth mentoring organization that connects young people with caring adults through community service, expeditionary learning and adventure-based education. Their mentoring programs began over 23 years ago with a model built upon the principle that programs don’t change lives, relationships do.  Trekkers provides educational programs to more than 200 7th through 12th grade students from the communities of Cushing, Owls Head, Rockland, South Thomaston, St. George and Thomaston.

Trekkers has just completed their sixth year of an expansion to serve more students, and has an increasing need for caring adult volunteers. In addition to helping with programs and expeditions, volunteers can support Trekkers by tutoring or mentoring students, helping with fundraising events and assisting with administrative tasks. Volunteer support of programming and operations provides Trekkers with the resources necessary to continue providing quality services to our youth for modest student dues. In addition to student dues, Trekkers relies primarily on individuals, organizations, corporations, and foundations to fund programs and operations. In-kind donations—non-monetary contributions of goods or services—also help the organization minimize costs. Information about volunteering and ways to support Trekkers and its students will be available at the Business Expo.

If you would like to learn more about Trekkers, please visit the booth during the Business Expo on April 12, call the Trekkers office at 594-5095, or visit us at www.trekkers.org.

Dozens Of Businesses Take Part In Annual Business & Community Expo

Rockport, Maine - Dozens of local businesses around the Rockland-Lincolnville area took part in the annual Business & Community Expo held by Penobscot Bay Regional Chamber of Commerce at the Samoset Resort in Rockport, Maine on Wednesday, April 13th, 2016.

Around a dozen non-profits also took part in the annual Business & Community Expo from Rockland Main Street to Pope Memorial Humane Society of Knox County.

This expo is a great way for those in the community to see people from businesses and non-profit.

Pen Bay Business and Community Expo (Video & Photos)

Today the Penobscot Bay Regional Chamber of Commerce's Business and Community Expo at the Samoset Resort in Rockport.  The Expo provides an opportunity for companies to meet prospective clients, customers, or members and to mingle and network with fellow chamber members and area businesses.
It is also a great opportunity to find out about many of the great businesses in the Mid Coast area.

Dream Local Digital Named Small Business of the Year

Penobscot Bay Regional Chamber of Commerce Announces ‘The Best of 2013: The Year in Review’ Awards

Rockland, Maine – Dream Local Digital, the national digital marketing and communications agency based in Rockland, Maine, has been namedSmall Business of the Year by the Penobscot Bay Regional Chamber of Commerce. They will receive the award at the Chamber’s Annual Awards Gala on February 12 at the Samoset Resort in Rockport.

The Penobscot Bay Regional Chamber of Commerce, Maine’s 4th largest Chamber, is based in Camden and Rockland and serves 24 communities in the Knox, Waldo, and northern Lincoln county regions, representing over 1,000 businesses and organizations. The gala, slated, ‘The Best of 2013: The Year in Review,’ will recognize businesses and individuals for Economic Enhancement, Small Business Development, and Innovation in Business. Awards are also given to the Community Person of the Year and Community Volunteer of the Year.

The Gala, expected to draw 450 people from surrounding communities, will be topped off by an after-party at the aptly named Dream Local Digital Midnight Lounge, at the Samoset Resort, and will feature the company’s exclusive drink, the ‘Dream Catcher.’

“On behalf of the entire Dream Local Digital Dream Team I would like to say we are thrilled and honored to have been chosen for this prestigious award. Each day we work hard to effectively tell our clients’ stories online to grow their businesses, and this intense customer focus has allowed us to expand our business nationwide as well. This allows us to bring national best practices and experience to small businesses in local markets. I am proud to be here in Midcoast Maine and an active member of this terrific chamber, proud to be creating jobs and strong customer value, and most of all proud of all of the Dream Local Honey Badgers that get it done every day.”

Dream Local Digital, recipient of the Chamber’s 2010 ‘Innovation in Business’ award, continues its significant growth, having created 26 local jobs over the last three years and slated to add another 25 this year alone. The company was recently selected for Blackstone Accelerates Growth’s, Accelerated Ventures Program and founder, Shannon Kinney was named a Mainebiz Woman to Watch last summer. Dream Local Digital’s portfolio continues to broaden nationally, as they currently have partners in 19 markets, with plans to expand to 30 additional markets in 2014. The ‘Dream Team’ is sticking close to their roots, renovating an old newspaper building on Main Street in downtown Rockland, to help support the growing team.

Find out more about Dream Local Digital’s business and media services here.

About Dream Local Digital:

Dream Local Digital is a digital marketing agency specializing in interactive media, marketing, SEO and social media. Dream Local Digital works with newspapers, media companies, ad agencies, and directly with small to medium-sized businesses on all aspects of their online marketing plans, from website development, content strategy and social media to search engine optimization, reputation management and e-mail marketing. Subscribe to the the Dream Local Digitalblog to keep up with the latest trends and insights from their team of experts.

"Maine Made 2013"

A Celebration of Maine Food, Maine Artisans and Maine Creativity

Rockport, Maine - "Maine Made 2013" showcases the variety and high quality of products that are made right here in our own state. The show’s fifty exhibitors will include Maine food producers, artisans, jewelry makers, wineries, and fine furniture makers among others. The show is the premiere resource for locally-made products in the mid-coast.

From chocolates and other sweet confections to jams, fine cheeses, and wholesome goods from family farms, the foods available at the show are unsurpassed. Handmade soaps, quilts, art, photography, and energy-efficient products for the home were on display and available for purchase at the show.

Part of the mission of Maine Made 2013 is to encourage people to shop locally. The one-day show is co-produced by the Penobscot Bay Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Maine Food Producers' Alliance. The State Department of Economic and Community Development is collaborating with producers and sponsors to promote Maine’s small businesses and make the event a success.

A SAMPLING OF MAINE MADE BUSINESSES AT THE SHOW

Avalon Handbags: These bags are completely hand knit and lined with contrasting fabric, and are finished off with hand dyed leather straps and hand crafted ceramic buttons.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Avalon-Handbags/239313842772431?hc_locati...

Balfour Farm: Balfour Farm is an organic dairy and farmstead creamery located in the central Maine town of Pittsfield.  “Balfour” is a Gaelic word that means village pasture and describes our farm.  Our pasture based farming system produces high quality fresh milk, yogurts, soft cheeses, aged raw milk hard cheeses, eggs, beef and pork.
http://www.balfourfarmdairy.com/home.html
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Balfour-Farm/203429683768

Baobab Organics: Baobab makes fun, efficiently-designed clothing for kids using earth-friendly, sustainably produced fabrics. Made here in New England, our cozy layered sets are made with kids’ comfort and imagination in mind, with ample hoods and fun pockets to fill with treasures. We hope you and your kids will enjoy our clothes and the fact that they were produced in a way that benefits our communities and minimizes our impact on the planet’s natural processes.
https://www.facebook.com/Baobaborganics
http://www.baobaborganics.com/

Beastfeast: Beast Feast Maine Sauces and Rubs: Beast Feast Maine produces a premium line of BBQ sauces, Marinades, Hot sauces, and spice rubs all made with highest quality ingredients available. Beast Feast  Sauces and rubs were first developed for wild game but has long since crossed the threshold to be a favorite on all domestic fare and fish.
www.beastfeastmaine.net

Many Unique Experiences Up for Bid

Many Unique Experiences Up for Bid in Penobscot Bay Regional Chamber of Commerce Auction

There are a number of unique experiences up for bid at the Penobscot Bay Regional Chamber of Commerce online and live auction including a Cult Winemakers VIP Experience in Napa Valley; Stearman Bi-Plane ride from the Owls Head Transportation Museum; American Flag flown over U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC; Tickets to Dr. Phil; VIP Seating to The Doctors; NASCAR Sprint Cup Experience; New Orleans Jazz getaway; Samuel Adams Brewery Tour/Dinner Fairmont Stay;  VIP Tours of Owls Head & Breakwater lighthouses; Ultimate Pro Sports Fan Getaway; 2 hour Dump Truck ride from George C. Hall & Sons; VIP seating to taping of “Live! With Kelly & Michael!” in New York City; and Napa Valley Wine Country getaway featuring Chauffeur, Wine Train, Meritage Resort and Spa 3-Night Stay and Airfare for 2.


On October 21 at 8am, the “doors” will open to our auction, which will take place online at www.BiddingforGood.com/PBRCCAuction.  There are already over 200  items up for bid, valued at over $62,000,  with more arriving on a daily basis.  All money raised supports our mission of promoting the interests of our members by advocating for the commercial and economic development of the region. The online auction bidding will run through November 11 at 9pm, with about 100 items heading to a live auction on Saturday, November 16 at the Rockland Elks Lodge, located at 210 Rankin Street in Rockland.  There will be live auction items, cash raffle prizes, raffle items, cash bar and a concession stand.  Bruce & Becky Gamage will be our auctioneer team.


The fourth largest chamber in the state of Maine (and the largest chamber representing smaller, coastal communities), we are one of the largest membership-driven community organizations in the area. We represent the coming together of businesses, non-profits, government, and citizens in support of a vibrant and growing region with unparalleled quality of life and quality of place. We are the voice of business in Knox, Waldo, and northern Lincoln counties.

Thank you to our Lead Sponsor: Fisher Engineering. The featured item at the chamber auction will be a FISHER HT Series snowplow from Fisher Engineering, valued at $5600! Thank you to Fisher Engineering for your generosity again this year, we sincerely appreciate your support. The FISHER HT Series snowplow is engineered for today's half-ton trucks, providing all the features you expect from FISHER in a standard-duty snowplow. The HT Series feature's FISHER'S Minute Mount 2 On/Off system, INTENSIFIREHalogen headlamps and the original FISHER trip edge design. Based in Rockland, Maine, dedication to quality and service has been a FISHER tradition for more than 60 years. Through the years their plows have earned a solid reputation for reliability and strength - among residential and commercial plowers. Blade width, 7’, 6” (no substitutions will be permitted).


Thank you to our supporting sponsors:  Bangor Metro, The Coastal Journal, The Free Press, Gamage Antiques, Courier Publications (The Courier Gazette, The Camden Herald & The Republican Journal), Country Inn at Camden/Rockport and The UPS Store.  Thank you to our $100 live auction cash raffle prize donors:  Bruce Gamage – Gamage Antiques;  James W. Brannan; Peter Horch - Horch Roofing, John Batty - J&B Printers, Jody & Bill Cowan - Ocean Pursuits, Mike Jones – Camden National Bank and Kevin Waters - Penobscot Island Air.

The live auction items will be clearly identified on the web site and absentee bidding will be available for those that cannot attend the live event.

The PBRCC Auction is a valuable online marketing tool for businesses  and organizations. All you have to do to participate is donate an item. In return, your business receives:
• Valuable marketing exposure—bidders from across the country will be viewing your item or service and hot-linking to your website;
• Local interest in your products/services through our weekly e-mail communications and our other powerful promotional vehicles aimed at encouraging PBRCC members’ participation;
• An instant link with potential future customers both in- and out-of-state.

Though the PBRCC Auction online bidding is still over a month away, we’re eager to accept donations of items to put up for bid on our special auction web site. The sooner you sign on, the more promotion you’ll enjoy as an Item donor.

Members of the public can participate by going to www.BiddingforGood.com/PBRCCAuction.  Using software provided by BiddingForGood Inc., an organization with a focus on serving non-profit organizations, and thanks to the generosity of donors, we will be assembling an exciting catalog of hundreds of auction items over the next few months.

Items up for bid include business services, artwork, unique experiences, travel, lodging packages, dining, recreational activities, gift baskets, train rides, boat trips, festival tickets, landscaping supplies and much, much more. Everyone is welcome to browse, shop, or just drop by and sign our guest book to show their support for our auction at www.BiddingforGood.com/PBRCCAuction.

Donations are being accepted from now through early October – simply log on to the site and click on the “Donate Now” button or you can call the Rockland Chamber office with your donation at 596-0376, ext. 106 (Shari Closter, shari@penbaychamber.com).  Users can also contribute to the auction’s success by using the “Tell A Friend” button on the website.

For more information about getting involved, contact Shari Closter, Director of Operations at the Penobscot Bay Regional Chamber, PO Box 508, One Park Drive, Rockland, ME 04841;  207-596-0376, ext. 106; or shari@penbaychamber.com; www.mainedreamvacation.com.

Story Sponsor...

www.shootmainestudios.com

Time To Getaway

Exciting Getaway Packages Up for Bid at Penobscot Bay Regional Chamber of Commerce Online Auction


On October 21 at 8am, the “doors” will open to our Chamber of Commerce auction, which will take place online at www.BiddingforGood.com/PBRCCAuction.  There are already over 195 items up for bid, with new items arriving on a daily basis.  All money raised supports our mission of promoting the interests of our members by advocating for the commercial and economic development of the region.

The fourth largest chamber in the state of Maine (and the largest chamber representing smaller, coastal communities), we are one of the largest membership-driven community organizations in the area. We represent the coming together of businesses, non-profits, government, and citizens in support of a vibrant and growing region with unparalleled quality of life and quality of place. We are the voice of business in Knox, Waldo, and northern Lincoln counties.

We have some exciting getaway packages from numerous Maine inns and hotels; lodging properties across the U.S.; tropical retreats in the Caribbean and Panama; and even an exotic stay at a deluxe resort in Crete, Greece!  Here is just a partial list:
·         Aysgarth Station B&B
·         Camden Maine Stay Inn
·         Claddagh Motel
·         Craignair Inn
·         Hampton Inn & Suites
·         Tidewater Motel
·         Towne Motel
·         Weskeag Inn
·         St. James Club, Antigua & St. Lucia
·         Los Establos Boutique Inn, Panama
·         The Club, Barbados
·         Miracle Springs Resort, CA
·         South Point Hotel, Casino & Spa, Las Vegas
·         Porto Elounda Golf & Spa Resort, Greece


Thank you to our Lead Sponsor: Fisher Engineering. The featured item at the chamber auction will be a FISHER HT Series snowplow from Fisher Engineering, valued at $5600! Thank you to Fisher Engineering for your generosity again this year, we sincerely appreciate your support. The FISHER HT Series snowplow is engineered for today's half-ton trucks, providing all the features you expect from FISHER in a standard-duty snowplow. The HT Series feature's FISHER'S Minute Mount 2 On/Off system, INTENSIFIRE Halogen headlamps and the original FISHER trip edge design. Based in Rockland, Maine, dedication to quality and service has been a FISHER tradition for more than 60 years. Through the years their plows have earned a solid reputation for reliability and strength - among residential and commercial plowers. Blade width, 7’, 6” (no substitutions will be permitted).


Thank you to our supporting sponsors:  Bangor Metro, The Coastal Journal, The Free Press, Gamage Antiques, Courier Publications (The Courier Gazette, The Camden Herald & The Republican Journal), Country Inn at Camden/Rockport and The UPS Store.  Thank you to our $100 live auction cash raffle prize donors:  Bruce Gamage – Gamage Antiques;  James W. Brannan; Peter Horch - Horch Roofing, John Batty - J&B Printers, Jody & Bill Cowan - Ocean Pursuits, Mike Jones – Camden National Bank and Kevin Waters - Penobscot Island Air.

The online auction bidding will run from October 21 at 8am through November 11 at 9pm, with about 100 items heading to a live auction on Saturday, November 16 at the Rockland Elks Lodge, located at 210 Rankin Street in Rockland.  There will be live auction items, cash raffle prizes, raffle items, cash bar and a concession stand.  Bruce & Becky Gamage will be our auctioneer team.

The live auction items will be clearly identified on the web site and absentee bidding will be available for those that cannot attend the live event.

The PBRCC Auction is a valuable online marketing tool for businesses and organizations. All you have to do to participate is donate an item. In return, your business receives:
• Valuable marketing exposure—bidders from across the country will be viewing your item or service and hot-linking to your website;
• Local interest in your products/services through our weekly e-mail communications and our other powerful promotional vehicles aimed at encouraging PBRCC members’ participation;
• An instant link with potential future customers both in- and out-of-state.

Though the PBRCC Auction is still a little over a month away, we’re eager to accept donations of items to put up for bid on our special auction web site. The sooner you sign on, the more promotion you’ll enjoy as an Item donor.

Members of the public can participate by going to www.BiddingforGood.com/PBRCCAuction.  Using software provided by BiddingForGood Inc., an organization with a focus on serving non-profit organizations, and thanks to the generosity of donors, we will be assembling an exciting catalog of hundreds of auction items over the next few months.

Items up for bid include business services, artwork, unique experiences, travel, lodging packages, dining, recreational activities, gift baskets, train rides, boat trips, festival tickets, landscaping supplies and much, much more. Everyone is welcome to browse, shop, or just drop by and sign our guest book to show their support for our auction at www.BiddingforGood.com/PBRCCAuction.

Donations are being accepted from now through early October – simply log on to the site and click on the “Donate Now” button or you can call the Rockland Chamber office with your donation at 596-0376, ext. 106 (Shari Closter, shari@penbaychamber.com).  Users can also contribute to the auction’s success by using the “Tell A Friend” button on the website.

For more information about getting involved, contact Shari Closter, Director of Operations at the Penobscot Bay Regional Chamber, PO Box 508, One Park Drive, Rockland, ME 04841;  207-596-0376, ext. 106; or shari@penbaychamber.com; www.mainedreamvacation.com.

Chamber prepares for Business Expo 2013!

Chamber prepares for Business Expo 2013!

The Penobscot Bay Regional Chamber of Commerce is once again preparing for their annual Business and Community Expo.  Held each year at the Samoset, this year’s event will take place on March 20.

“We’re really excited about the upcoming Expo,” said event organizer, Robin McIntosh.  “We’ve had a great response from sponsors, businesses, and non-profits.”

In addition to providing a venue for area businesses to showcase their products and services, the Expo will again feature a special section for non-profit organizations.  “The Loft was a very successful addition to last year’s expo, allowing non-profit participation at a reduced rate.  We hope that this will continue to enhance their collective opportunity to promote their missions and programs.”

“As always,” stated Peter Horch, the Expo’s committee chair, “we encourage businesses of all types to join us.  We hope they’ll be creative with their booths and find a way to do business – whether that means sampling food, selling product, opening bank accounts, or helping people with their job searches – we want to show that the Midcoast is open for business!”

The Expo provides an opportunity for companies to meet prospective clients, customers, or members and to mingle and network with fellow chamber members and area businesses.

The Expo’s Lead Sponsor this year is Computer Solutions of Rockland.  Co-sponsors are Eastern Tire and Auto Service, Machias Savings Bank, North Atlantic Painting, and Philbrook & Associates Bookkeeping.  J&B Diversified is sponsoring “The Loft” area for non-profits.  Other sponsors are the Samoset Resort who will sponsor the evening’s Business After Hours, Courier Publications/Village Soup is this year’s media sponsor, Bangor Savings Bank is the Bag Sponsor, and Rock City, Inc. will be providing beverages to vendors during regular set-up hours.

For more information about the event, contact Robin McIntosh in the Chamber’s Rockland Office:  596-0376 or robin@penbaychamber.com.  Exhibitors can register for the event at www.MaineBusinessShowcase.com.