The Caribou Area Chamber of Commerce held a Members Meeting last Tuesday, Feb. 5. A goodly number of members came to the event and heard a speech by yours truly before spending some time on a roundtable discussion. Pictures of the event are on our Facebook page.
Aroostook Republican Photo/Lisa Wilcox
Members of the Caribou Area Chamber of Commerce attended the first meeting conducted by new Chamber Director William Tasker on Feb. 5 at the Caribou Inn & Convention Center. Here members participate in roundtable discussions brainstorming ideas for an annual festival that would attract large amounts of people to Caribou and pinpointing what each business needs from the Chamber that they feel they are not currently getting.
The speech delivered centered around the renewed focus the Chamber has on its members. Ways that is occurring were outlined in detail and the point was hammered home that I intend to use every tool possible to promote the Caribou area and the businesses, organizations and people that make us special.
You never know how such things are going to go, but the feedback from the members was positive and that was a good thing.
I also introduced a member’s discount program. The program is designed to offer a membership benefit that allows members of the Chamber to receive discounts offered by other members. The first such discount was revealed at the meeting as Caribou Automotive Repair Service (CARS) has offered our members a 10 percent discount on all services over $100. Rick Bell of CARS was present and handed out the discount cards to a round of applause.
Christine Bondeson of Down to Earth Gardens and Greenhouse has offered a discount this spring to all new members who join the Chamber. If you love gardening, Christine’s offer will add yet another benefit for joining the Chamber.
Freme’s Jewelry has also informed me that they want to do a discount program for members. Details are yet to be worked out, but that is wonderful and I will share the plan once it is official.
Speaking of joining the Chamber, we also have a way for anyone to show their support. We offer Individual Memberships for $50 which is tax deductible and would also give you some of the benefits enjoyed. There is also an Associate Membership for retired citizens for $25. Support your area Chamber!
This quarter’s Chamber newsletter can be found at Paradis Shop’n Save, Sleepers Market, Dead River, the town office and here at the Chamber.
Facebook stories this week included: Family Eye Care/Mavor Optical where Dr. Craig K. Small is the third generation of his family to serve the Caribou area; The Maine Winter Sports Center; Caribou Hydraulic & Machine and Martin’s Point. Check the stories out! More will come out this weekend so keep checking.
The Chamber is very glad to welcome back Mahoney Real Estate as a member. Several other businesses have either stopped in or asked for an e-mailed membership form, so it is very gratifying that the Chamber seems to be on the right track.
A phone call was received from the state Harley Owners Group (HOG) and much planning was done for this year’s Maine HOG Rally that will occur in Caribou in July. This is very exciting for our area!
Initial planning was started on the Annual Dinner coming up in May. Last year’s was one of the biggest events of the year and we certainly want to build on that success. Stay tuned for more details in the weeks to come.
Happy anniversary wishes go to Exquisite Homes which joined the Chamber in 1996, Houlton Farms Dairy Inc., which joined in 1995, McDonalds, which has been a member since 1974(!) and Tim Hortons which joined 10 years ago. Thank you so much for your faithful memberships!
William Tasker may be reached in the CACC office at 498-6156 or e-mail him at cacc@cariboumaine.net.
