Please plan to join us for the Cape Ann Chamber’s annual Economic Outlook Breakfast, which will take place next Thursday, March 9, from 7:30 to 9 AM at the Gloucester House Restaurant.

REGISTER HERE.

The Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce has BIG news – Cape Ann’s special license plate has arrived at Registry branch offices and are ready to be picked up and put on the road. The nearly 950 area drivers who pre-applied for the new special plates are now receiving calls and letters with instructions as to where to exchange their current plates and pick up their new Cape Ann license plates.

Those who did not pre-apply but would like to obtain their own Cape Ann license plates can do so online at https://secure.rmv.state.ma.us/SpecialPlates/pltShow.aspx?Plate=027.

Thank you to Rockport Native, Annalei Babson of Coveside Designs for designing this beautiful license plate. She submitted the design when the Cape Ann License Plate initiative began and her design was voted in as the winner!

“We are very grateful to Senator Bruce Tarr, and Representatives Ann-Margaret Ferrante and Brad Hill for their leadership in enacting key amendments to the Special Plate law,” said Ken Riehl, CEO of the Cape Ann Chamber

“The Cape Ann license plate is not only a tremendous way to strengthen and promote our regional identity, but it will also generate funds that will be involved in our future. Like many such plates, it faced a major obstacle in getting enough pre-subscriptions for approval,” said Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr (R- Gloucester). “Now, we have legislatively removed that obstacle, and the plate can go to work for our communities.”
“The Cape Ann license plate will be one more in a growing list of ways we increase our visibility and sense of community,” State Representative Ann-Margaret Ferrante (D-Gloucester) said in a statement on Thursday. “The more people know about the uniqueness of Cape Ann, the more our small businesses and our Cape thrive as new visitors and potential residents explore our main streets.” State Representative Brad Hill (R-Ipswich) added: “The implementation of these Cape Ann license plates is a wonderful way to celebrate both our communities and our identities. Not only do they promote the character of our area as a whole, but they will also allow for further improvement of our Cape Ann communities.”
For those who have not yet signed up, now is the time: “Proceeds from the Cape Ann license plates will go back to the Cape Ann community towards promotion of the region, economic development, and education / training. The funds will be managed by a new 501c3 non-profit called the Cape Ann Community Foundation (CACF), whose Board of Directors consists of residents from all four Cape Ann Communities. ” noted Sara Young, President of the Chamber’s Board of Directors.

For more information, please contact the Cape Ann Chamber at (978) 283-1601, email them at info@capeannchamber.com, and / or go to the Cape Ann License Plate website: lovecapeann.com.

WE DID IT!

Join us for a ‘Refresher to QuickBooks’ Seminar (Advanced Beginners welcomed as well!). Two days: Tuesday, February 7 & Thursday, February 9, 2017, from 5:30-8:30 PM at Gloucester High School. Space for this seminar is limited – REGISTER HERE.

The class will be geared toward Small Business owners with some basic knowledge of Quickbooks or some other accounting software. It may be too fast paced for some beginners, however basic beginner skills will be reviewed.

Instructor: Mary Lou Balbo is a Senior Accountant with the CPA firm, Horvitz & Frisch, PC, located at 128 Main Street, Gloucester. Mary Lou has 35+ years of accounting, bookkeeping and tax preparation Experience. Horvitz & Frisch, PC, offers computer cnsulting and bookkeeping training, in addition to accounting and financial services.

Assistant: Marcia Hubbard, Finance Manager of The Open Door.

Class size is limited. Payment is required to hold a reservation. Cost is $175.00, or $135.00 with your Member discount.

For more information or to reserve your space, please call Kerry at the Chamber office. 978-283-1601 or register online here.

The Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce invites you to the 2017 Annual Dinner, an event to congratulate 2016 President Matt Anzivino of Rockport Inn & Suites on a great year and welcome Sara Young of Schooner Adventure, as our 2017 Board President.

Join us as we celebrate our Proud Heritage and look to a Bright Future. Don’t miss this exciting night to kick-off  a fabulous 2017 here on Cape Ann!

Seats are going fast. Reserve your spot for a wonderful evening including a delicious dinner, live music and entertainment. Register Online or call the Chamber office to reserve your seats. 978-283-1601

Get your tickets today!

Happy Holidays Cape Ann!
From your favorite Chamber Team – Ken, Peter, Kerry, Barb, Michelle & Debbie

The Cape Ann Chamber has launched a regional “Shop Cape Ann for the Holidays” promotion. There is no charge to participate, and all retailers are invited to join. The basic idea is to continually inform and remind both the local Cape Ann region, and our neighboring communities, to shop local this season, through the frequent posting of short Facebook videos, and to get you all to like and share the videos.

Please visit the Chamber’s Facebook Page to view the retailer videos we’ve posted to far.

Retailers can create their own videos using a smart phone and send them our way. If you create your own, please send your video via Dropbox.com to marketing@capeannchamber.com. If you’d like our help, give us a call at 978-283-1601.

We will post as many videos as we receive and tag your page with your video post, We ask that you all like and share all videos so that we maximize our reach and the Shop Cape Ann message.

This time of year is filled with community traditions and holiday events in Essex, Gloucester, Manchester-by-the-Sea and Rockport.  With a wide array of wonderful celebrations, visiting Cape Ann is a must this Holiday Season.

Starting with Small Business Saturday on November 26, be sure to shop local and support your favorite businesses in all four communities with holiday shopping.  Many of the businesses are participating in Small Business Saturday and will have exciting promotions available.

All of Cape Ann will be bustling during the month of December.  Each of our four communities have many events that local residents and visitors are invited to enjoy.

Essex – The holiday festivities begin in Essex on Thursday, December 1 with the Lighting of the Memory Tree, in Honor of Lost Loved Ones, at Town Hall at 6:30 PM. The following day, Friday, December 2, Santa arrives at Town Landing by boat at 6:00 PM. Children and families are invited to join for carols, refreshments and the chance to sit on Santa’s Lap.  On Saturday, December 3, Breakfast with Santa will be held at Essex Elementary School from 8:00 AM – 11:00 AM. The cost is $5 per person or $25 for the family.

Gloucester – On Sunday, November 27, the Gloucester Christmas Parade begins at the State Fish Pier at 3:00 PM and marches through the streets of Gloucester, ending at  Kent Circle for the Tree Lighting Ceremony at 4:00 PM. Thursday, December 1^st will mark the 43^rd Annual Ladies’ Night.  Enjoy shopping and refreshments in the downtown shops as well as exciting deals and discounts from 5:00-10:00 PM.  Thursday, December 8^th will be another opportunity to shop downtown during the Family & Friends Night from 5:00 -10:00 PM. Don’t miss the Middle Street Walk on Saturday, December 10. From 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM historic house tours, concerts and special programs will be featured on Middle Street.  Also on the 10^th, make sure to stop by the front of the Police Station at 4:30 PM for a truly unique Gloucester tradition, the lighting of the Lobster Trap Tree, decorated by the children of Cape Ann Art Haven.  As we get closer to Christmas, Men’s Night will be held on Thursday, December 15^th from 5:00 – 10:00 PM.

Manchester-by-the-Sea – The events of Christmas by the Sea are also not to be missed.  Visit the downtown merchants for Shop Manchester Night on Friday, December 2  from 4:00 – 8:00 PM.  On Shop Manchester Night, get your passbook stamped at all participating shops.  Turn it in to 7 Central by 8:00 PM to enter a drawing where the winner will receive a Fitbit Blaze!  Spend the day in Manchester on Saturday, December 3, starting with a PJ Pancake Breakfast from 8:00-10:00 AM at 7 Central Restaurant.  In the afternoon, Santa will arrive by boat at 1:00 PM.  Walk with Santa to the  Manchester Community Center and enjoy festivities until 3:00 PM.  On Sunday, December 4, join us for a Christmas Concert at 3:30 PM at First Parish Church.  The Lighting of the Friendship Tree will be held at the Town Hall Common at 4:30 PM.
Rockport – Shop Rockport – Black Friday and Small Business Saturday kick off the Christmas in Rockport holiday festivities on November 25 and 26.  The weekend is dedicated to supporting local small businesses and will include exciting offers from the downtown shops. Also starting on November 25 is the Rockport Holiday Selfie Contest. Upload a selfie at any Rockport business to Instagram, tag @rockportusa, tag the business and use #rockportselfiestroll to enter to win weekly prizes and one grand prize through December 22.  Friday, December 2 is Shop Rockport Night.  Shops will be open from 4:00-9:00 PM for the occasion and will offer special deals and refreshments for shoppers. On the following day, Saturday, December 3, Santa will arrive at T-Wharf by boat at 1:00 PM and will make his way to Dock Square for a Christmas celebration and to visit with children. Festivities will continue in the square with Christmas Carols and the Tree Lighting Ceremony at 4:00 PM, also at Dock Square. Christmas Shopping and Gallery Stroll Weekend is on December 10 and 11. The shops and galleries of Rockport will be open, each offering different promotions.  New this year is the Twilight Holiday Inn & Cookie Tour on December 10^th. Stroll through 6 of Rockport’s finest Inns all decked out for the season. As you visit the inns from  3-6 PM you will enjoy refreshments and collect an assortment of holiday cookies baked by the innkeepers. Tickets for the tour are $25. A unique event that engages the entire community, the 71^st Annual Christmas Pageant, starts at 5:00 PM on Saturday, December 17. The holiday celebrations are capped off with Rockport New Year’s Eve with live music and entertainment from 6:00 PM to midnight, to ring in the New Year.

To learn more about the events listed above contact the Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce at
(978) 283-1601. Event information can also be found by visiting the following pages.

http://capeannvacations.com/events-calendar/
http://www.rockportusa.com/events-festivals/
https://www.facebook.com/christmasbythesea/
https://www.facebook.com/christmasinrockport/

Born between 1976 & 1994? That means you’re a Millennial! Come hang out with other professionals from around Cape Ann to mingle with, promote, and inspire each other. This event will be casual & fun.

Cape Ann’s Next Generation will be at Jalapeno’s Mexican Restaurant on November 3rd from 5 to 7 PM – join us! Check out the event details on Facebook – Millennial Networking Event.

Like our page on Facebook for event details – Next Generation Cape Ann
Contact Andrew Marques at Andrew.Marques@casbank.com or 978-282-5732 for more information.

Last call to get your bids in for the Chamber’s Online Auction!  This year we have wonderful items including beautiful artwork, weekend getaways, gift certificates and more.  The auction closes TOMORROW – Friday night at 10:00 PM. Click Here to view the items and place your bids.

The Cape Ann Plein Air Gala is this Saturday night, October 15, 2016 from 6-10 PM at Rockport Art Association. Tickets are $60 and 100% of the ticket price may be applied to the sale of a CAPA painting. Mix, mingle and meet the juried artists from around the country. You’ll have the opportunity to acquire award winning works freshly painted on location from over 40 artists.

Tickets also include a celebratory drink upon arrival and an evening of complimentary of hors d’oeuvres from Best of Boston award winner Vinwood Caterers. Click Here for more information and to purchase Gala Tickets. View photos of this week’s plein air events on their Facebook Page.

There is also a dinner at the Gloucester House Restaurant on Friday, October 14 from 6:30-8:00 PM that is free for CAPA artists.  $25 for family and guests.

(Photo via Cape Ann Plein Air)

We have an excellent speaker joining us next week for the Businesswomen’s Fall Luncheon. Adrianne Haslet is a Boston Marathon bombing survivor, philanthropist, advocate, inspirational speaker and now, Boston Marathon runner and finisher. Click Here to learn more about Adrianne Haslet and to register for the Luncheon.

Please join us on Thursday, October 13 to welcome Adrianne to Cape Ann for this wonderful event at the Beauport Hotel.  Both men and women are welcome to attend. The Luncheon is sponsored by the Businesswomen’s Group and the some of the proceeds benefit the Carolyn O’Connor Scholarship.  Find more details on the event here.

Businesswomen’s Fall Luncheon
Thursday, October 13, 2016
11:30 AM – 1:00 PM
Beauport Hotel, Gloucester
REGISTER HERE