Join the Seacoast School of Technology Marketing & Communications Students for the 6th Annual Small Business Showcase & Exeter Area Chamber Business After Hours event on April 11, 2012 at Seacoast School of Technology, 40 Linden Street, Exeter.  Doors open at 3 pm with the Business After Hours from 5-7 pm.  The event will give businesses an opportunity to showcase their goods and services to other local businesses and the public. Culinary students will provide appetizers throughout the evening.   FREE and all are welcome!

The Chamber’s 2012 Business of the Year Awards Presentation & Cocktail Reception presented by Baker Newman Noyes and Unitil was held before a sell-out crowd on Friday, March 16 at the Sheraton Harborside in Portsmouth. Awards were presented honoring exemplary Chamber member businesses in a variety of categories. In addition, the inaugural Exeter Area Citizen of the Year was presented to an unsuspecting winner, Cleo Castonguay of Brentwood and the Lori Breard Achievement in Leadership Award was presented to Jon Ring of Exeter.

An enthusiastic crowd enjoyed hors d’oeuvres and cocktails on the red carpet and celebrated as this year’s winners were announced. The winners represented a variety of business categories:

Manufacturing/Technology: Cobham Antenna Systems Exeter
Education/Non-profit 25 or more employees: The YMCA Camp Lincoln / Southern District
Education/Non-profit less than 25 employees: New Outlook Teen Center
Real Estate/Construction/Engineering: THA Architects, LLC
Health Care 25 or more employees: Exeter Health Resources
Health Care less than 25 employees: SeaCare Health Services
Business Services: Natural Images by Allie
Tourism/Hospitality: Hampton Inn & Suites Exeter
Retail Wholesale: Foss Motor, Inc.
Financial Services & Insurance: Edward Jones Investments- Robert Ortins

In addition, the Chamber’s newly established Exeter Area Citizen of the Year Award was presented to Cleo Castonguay president of St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry in Exeter. According to the St. Vincent de Paul Society Board of Directors, who nominated Castonguay, it is through his tireless efforts, reaching out to various businesses in the community and coordinating their resources that the new Lincoln Street building for the society became a reality. Castonguay exemplifies community spirit, kindness, local business practice and the art of volunteerism is ingrained deep within his soul. Castonguay has also been involved in many other organizations including the Boy Scouts of America, the Exeter Christmas Parade; Feed my Lambs Program and Red Cross Disaster Relief.

The Lori Breard Achievement in Leadership Award was presented to Jones and Beach Engineers, Inc. president Jonathan Ring of Exeter. Ring, an active Chamber member and Chairman of the Board, was presented the award by Breard’s nephew Chad DeVogt.

Jon Ring was awarded the honor for his many attributes that epitomize the inspiration and example set by Breard. They include: a high level of professionalism, leadership, integrity combined with a down-to-earth approach to life; a positive attitude; and active mentoring. Also, Ring is a strong business leader and active community member.

The 2012 Business of the Year Awards presented by Baker Newman Noyes and Unitil is additionally sponsored by Comcast; Public Service of New Hampshire; Edward Jones; The Provident Bank; DF Richard Energy; and The Sheraton Harborside;. Plus Associate Sponsors EnviroVantage; Party Time DJ and Chura Photography. Floral arrangements, decor and favors provided by Exeter Flower Shop; The Party People and Lindt.  A special thank you to all the sponsors for making this event possible!!

The program is modeled after the state awards presented each May by Business NH Magazine and the NH Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives. For more information contact the Chamber at 603.772.2411.

The Exeter Area Chamber of Commerce presents a Breakfast Forum featuring demographics expert Peter Francese on Thurs., March 8 at 7:30 a.m. at Camelot at the Holy Grail in Epping, NH. Francese is a widely recognized demographics and consumer markets expert, founded American Demographics Magazine (now part of Ad Age) and speaks and writes frequently on demographic and consumer trends.

He is a recipient of the Silver Bell Award from the Advertising Council for distinguished public service. He holds a graduate degree from Cornell University and has served on the University President’s Council.

Among his other work, Francese is an independent demographic trends analyst for the worldwide advertising agency Ogilvy & Mather. The New England Economic Partnership (a non-profit public research organization) has also appointed him to be their Director of Demographic Forecasts www.neepecon.org.

Advance registration is recommended. Cost is $20 for chamber members; $25 for non-members; $30 at the door for all. Fee includes light continental breakfast. Call 603.772.2411 to register. Camelot at the Holy Grail is located at 64 Main Street, Epping.

Economic Outlook Forum Power Point

May 27 – June 4, 2012 – 9 Days -$3199 per person, double occupancy, BOOK NOW & SAVE $100 per person!!! Trip includes: transportation to and from airport, round trip airfare including taxes, hotels, 12 meals (7 Breakfasts, 5 Dinners) english-speaking travel guides and all scheduled tourists attractions.  Call 603-772-2411 or email bobbi@exeterarea.org for more details.