Paul Drapaniotis  is now holder of an amazing collection of premium seat tickets to select 2012-2013  season games (one game per team) including: Red Sox, Patriots, Bruins, Celtics, UNH Men’s hockey and NASCAR Sprint Cup tickets PLUS  UNH Men’s Hockey,  NH Fisher Cats & Shawnee Peak Lift Tickets. The package also includes three round-trips (with restrictions) courtesy of Four Star Limousine.

While he was not on hand at the drawing, Drapaniotis was pleasantly surprised by the phone call he received on May 5th from Krysta Seckendorf, the Exeter Area Chamber of Commerce’s Marketing and Events Director. “I’m a very enthusiastic Boston sports fan and this prize is beyond belief for me, I can’t wait to attend all these games” said Drapaniotis.

The event is made possible by Grand Slam Sponsor Core Physicians; Touchdown Sponsors Elite Printing Group, Drift Away and Four Star Limousine; and ticket sponsors: Arjay’s Ace Hardware, Shooter’s Sports Pub, Exeter Bowling Lanes, Staffing Sense, Shawnee Peak, Foss Motors, NH Fisher Cats and Chris Goodwin of W.B. Mason.

A minimum of 5% of gross ticket sales go to the Chamber Children’s Fund. Remaining proceeds benefit other Exeter Area Chamber of Commerce initiatives. For more information visit www.ultimatesportsraffle.com or contact the Chamber at 603.772.2411.

The second forum in the series will take place in Stratham on Wednesday, May 30th at the Stratham Municipal Center on Bunker Hill Ave – Community Room A from 7:30 to 9:00 am.  A continental breakfast will be served.  Topics for the Stratham forum include updates on: the Gateway Commercial Business District Master Plan, Form Based Code, Water/Sewer infrastructure improvement, and the Plan NH Town Center Design Charrette. The forum is free and open to the public. The business community, including Business owners, developers, commercial realtors, brokers and investors are encouraged to attend.

The Statham Revitalization Forum is presented by The Provident Bank and sponsored by THA Architects, and Dowling Corporation.

Details will follow on subsequent forums.

Seating is limited.  Please RSVP to events@exeterarea.org to reserve your seat.

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.

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.