This week’s cover photo reminds you to save the date for our Annual Chamber Awards Gala on Friday, November 8th! Vote for the award nominees now through October 18th and get your tickets reserved for the gala soon! This is news from the Bay & Beyond. Your Chamber Working For You!
We are honored to present this year’s Chamber Awards nominees! You can find full descriptions for these nominees on the ballot. Please vote for a single nominee from each award category. Awards voting ends on October 18th at 5:00pm EST. Winners will be called and then officially announced October 22nd via membership email, at BelfastMaine.org, and on our social media.
In keeping with tradition, the Chamber Partnership Award winner and the Citizen of the Year Award winner will be announced live at the Awards Gala on November 8th.
Congratulations to all of this year’s nominees! Please share with your family, friends, and clients!
The Annual Chamber Awards Gala will be held Friday, November 8, 2024 from 5:30pm – 8:00pm in the Bay View Room at the United Farmers Market of Maine. Get your tickets now!
CLICK HERE to purchase tickets online (with a processing fee) or Chamber members can request to be billed and pay via phone, check, or in person at the Chamber office.
Sponsoring our annual business gala presents a unique opportunity for your brand to shine! By aligning your company with this prestigious event, you’ll gain unparalleled visibility, showcasing your commitment to community engagement and business excellence. The gala attracts the broad local community, allowing you to make connections and elevate your brand’s reputation. Additionally, your sponsorship will highlight your support for local initiatives. Join us in making this event a memorable evening while positioning your business as a key player in the community.
STAY TUNED FOR THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF THIS YEAR’S AWARDS NOMINEES AND HOW YOU CAN VOTE!
This year’s awards include:
Business Growth Award This award recognizes a business that has demonstrated outstanding growth and success within the community, contributing to economic vitality and local development.
Rising Star Award This award recognizes a new business that has been around for three years or less and holds the promise of being here for many years to come. The new business may be creative, innovative, unique and/or fills a need in the community.
Waldo County Business Award This award recognizes a business located outside Belfast that have made contributions to the economic growth, community development, and cultural richness of the surrounding areas.
Health Care Partner Award This award recognizes an individual or organization outside of the health care profession who through their actions demonstrates a commitment to our shared vision of making our community the healthiest in America.
Hometown Heritage Award This award recognizes a business or organization that has been integral to the community for many years, honoring their role in preserving local culture, history, and traditions through their growth and sustainability over time.
Chamber Partnership & Community Building Award (Selected by Chamber/Board of Directors) This award recognizes a member who demonstrates a strong commitment to fostering collaboration and engagement with the Chamber for the benefit of the community. This includes actively supporting local initiatives, creating meaningful partnerships with other organizations, and contributing to the overall well-being and development of the community. We seek businesses or individuals that not only excel in their industry but also prioritize social responsibility, inclusivity, and sustainable practices, showcasing a genuine investment in the community’s growth and prosperity as a Chamber partner.
Citizen of the Year This award recognizes a person who has made an outstanding positive impact in Waldo County, either through a single event or on a continuous basis. Nominees can be from any occupation, including business, education, services, medical, government, a charitable organization or they can be a resident.
(NEW) Resiliency Award This award recognizes a business that has demonstrated exceptional strength and adaptability in overcoming challenges, such as storm damage or the long-term impacts of highway improvements. Nominees must showcase innovative strategies for recovery and growth, highlighting their ability to not only survive but thrive in the face of adversity. We seek businesses that have engaged with the community during these difficult times, contributed to local recovery efforts, and implemented sustainable practices that promote long-term resilience. This award honors those who embody the spirit of perseverance and community support.
The Belfast Area Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the newest members joining the Board of Directors:
Ryan Harnden, Mathews Brothers, Belfast
Ryan has been the director of purchasing for Mathews Brothers Company since 2013. Prior to that he served as assistant GM for Best Buy in Augusta. Ryan also serves on the RSU 71 Board of Directors for the greater Belfast area and is currently an active member of the Belfast Lions Club, having also served as President several years.
Arnaud Lessard, The Homeport Inn & Tavern, Searsport
Arnaud has been the owner/operator of The Homeport Inn & Tavern since 2022 with his wife Allison. He also owns and operates Acanthus Development LLC, a real estate investment corporation with current assets in the New England region. For 16 years, he was the regional director of sales and marketing for HHM, with oversight of 22 boutique, select service, and full service hotels in key major markets nation-wide for a mid-range, 3rd party publicly traded hotel management firm. He managed 85 direct reports from executive leadership, ownership to the field.
We are excited to have these two bring their professional expertise to the table and help our Chamber grow with their direction.
This week’s cover photo comes to you from the Chamber Cup Golf Tournament. Congratulations to the @Belfast Area High School golf team for winning first place! This is news from the Bay & Beyond. Your Chamber Working For You!
When the Chamber moved to 33 Main Street in Belfast from our 14 Main Street location, we anticipated more foot traffic! And the data is proving it! We have welcomed 44% more people to the new Chamber office than in the previous location. How does this affect our members? More people are hearing and reading about your business and our volunteers are doing a stellar job this summer. Your Chamber working for you!
This great competitive networking event has helped the Chamber to fund and provide our business members and the community with developmental resources they need to grow and succeed. We so appreciate all the teams that register to play, the businesses that help with sponsorships, and everyone who has a hand in making it a memorable and successful event.
Congratulations to the Belfast Area High School Golf Team (56) for winning 1st Place in this year’s tournament! Players included Caden Nickerson, Joseph Parker, Gary Gale, Ethan Abbott, and Jacob Lindelof.
Big thank you to Paul Doody from Camden National Bank for helping organize this tournament and to Northport Golf Club for hosting us once again on their beautiful course!
And thanks to Rollie’s Bar & Grill for feeding all of our teams again this year!
