Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce Events:

2008 Taste of Greater Waterville

BBS Presentations —

	May 7: Real Tax Relief is Just One Election Away Presented by Tarren Bragdon, CEO of the Maine Heritage Policy Center. Two tax-related ballot questions will be before voters in November 2009. Tarren spoke about why the voter should have the final say on tax increases (TABOR) and why the high and hated car excise tax should be cut.
	April 9: Central Maine Business Success Stories: How Three Local Businesses Did It. Becoming a successful bsuiness requires a lot of knowledge and information. One of the best paths to success is to learn from colleagues the do's and don'ts that led them to their successes (and/or failures). A panel of local business people will offer their insights and secrets to success-- Mike Boulet of Mainely Trusses; Kathy Corey, VP of marketing at Day's Jewelers; and Bill Gallagher of Johnny's Selected Seeds.
	March 12: Develop Excellence- The Keys to Professional Development, Presented by Michelle Neujhar of Group Dynamic, Inc. Michelle challenged participants to reach the next level of excellence development. In this dynamic, fun-filled session, individuals learned the power tools of excellence development. They were challenged to create a vision, build a solid network and make a lasting impact. This program offers real-life solutions to everyday business challenges. You'll leave inspired to build excellence in yourself and others.
	February 12: Attitudinal Excellence: Your Key to Extra-Ordinary Customer Service. Attitudinal excellence begins with a choice followed by a mindset and commitment - to accept nothing less than the absolute best from yourself and your people. Presented by Bob LaBrie, President of Maximum Potential. Visit Mr. LaBrie's website here: http://www.maxpo-nlp.com/default.asp
	January 8: The Aging Workforce: Calamity or Opportunity. Maine's workforce is getting older. With greater numbers of workers approaching traditional retirement age and fewer younger worker available to replace them, Maine's employers are faced with significant challenges. These challenges can be either a calamity or opportunity. Which will it be for you? Presented by William McPeck, MSW, WLCP, director of Employee Health and Safety for Maine State Government.
	December 11: Executive Transition and Business Succession Planning. Presented by Tom Juenemann, director of the Institute for Family-Owned Business.
	November 13: Consumer Directed Health Plan: From Legislation to Practice. Develop Strategies to make helath insurance affordable. Learn about recent legislative activity at the state and federal level and how your company's health insurance premiums are affected. Hear about the practical applicationof Consumer Directed Health Care plans to empoer you with strategies you can implement to reduce your company's healthcare burden today and position for more stable costs in the future. Presented by Joel Allumbaugh, CEO of National Worksite Benefit Group.
	October 9: The Stubborn Facts of the Maine Economy. What it takes to reach the national average and five ways to make it happen. Tony Payne, a long-time Maine business executive and current Executive Director of the Alliance for Maine's Future, will present a view of Maine's economic and political climate and the strategy to move Maine toward the national average.
	September 11: The Frontier of Marketing: Starting Local, Going Global? Where did CrocsR come from? Why is the iPhone so important? How do you monetize an idea? Nine years ago, the Internet changed the marketing game. Today, every local business can be international, while every international product can be purchased anywhere, anytime. Peter Rinck, president of Rinck Advertising, will explore what this communication revolution means for Maine companies, small, medium and large. Whether you have a laundromat or a lunch counter, a big idea or a small thought, look forward to hearing more about what's happened, what's happening and what might happen next on the frontier of marketing.
	June 12: Central Maine's Dynamic Labor Market: Who is Hiring and Who is Getting Hired? One of the primary ingredients for a successful business is having the proper workforce. Staying on top of what's happening in the labor market can helpposition a business in its quest for labor. John Dorrer, director of the Center for Workforce Research and Information, will provide an analysis of the labor situation in central Maine. He will answer such questions as: What business and industries are growing and are in the hiring mode? What types of people (e.g. skills, experience) are in the labor pool? What can you do as an employer to improve your position in this competitive labor market?
	May 15: Top 10 Mistakes Employers Make in Hiring Employees, presented by Robert Kline, Kline Law Office.
	April 10: Top Ten Technology Risks for Business- Presented by Arian Eigen Heald, MsIA, CNE, CEH, CISA, CISSP consulting manager, IT Consulting Group Berry, Dunn, McNeil & Parker.
	March 13:Central Maine Business Success Stories: How Three Local Businesses Did It! Becoming a successful business requires a lot of knowledge and information. One of the best paths to success is to learn from colleagues the do's and dont's that led them to their successes (and/or failures). A panel of three local, successful business people will offer their insights and secrets to success- Mike Boulet, owner Mainely Trusses; Sue Giguere, owner Care & Comfort; Mike Comer of Johnny's Selected Seeds. Come hear how these business owners built strong, vibrant businesses from humble beginnings.
	February 14: The State of Maine's Energy Plan- John Kerry, director of the Office of Energy Independence and Security, will be charting the course to Maine's energy independence and security for the next 50 years.
	January 10: What Surprises Are In Store For Us This Legislative Session? Kristine M. Ossenfort, the lobbyist with the Maine State Chamber of Commerce, will update us on the latest issues coming before the Legislature that will affect our business members. Topics will include the usual suspects of health care, tax reform, and spending reform, plus an update on the hot school consolidation issue.

 

MMCC President wins 2006 Maine State Chamber Executive of the Year Award

We are proud to announce that our President and CEO Kimberly Lindlof was awarded the 2006 Maine State Chamber Executive of the Year Award on October 24th. Pictured from left to right: Dana Connors, president of the Maine State Chamber; Kimberly Lindlof; Rosaire Pelletier, Business Manager, Pulp & Paper Operations, Frazier Paper Inc., and incoming chair of the Maine State Chamber board; and Kevin Gildart, VP Human Resources, Bath Iron Works Corp., and Maine State Chamber board chair.