With over 1,000 member business organizations, the New Bedford Area Chamber of Commerce provides leadership on issues and activities important to our economy and quality of life.
The Chamber's mission is to serve the interests of member businesses while advocating business advancement, economic growth and job creation for the benefit of New Bedford and the SouthCoast region of Massachusetts.
The Chamber's website is located at:
http://www.newbedfordchamber.com
Greater New Bedford 2008 Small Business of the Year Award to be presented on Wednesday, May 14, 2008 at Good Morning SouthCoast! breakfast.
New Bedford, MA – May 5, 2008 – The New Bedford Area Chamber of Commerce and BankFive would like to recognize the achievements made by smaller businesses in the creation of jobs and economic opportunities throughout the SouthCoast region. The issues and concerns of small businesses are essential components of Chamber initiatives, and the success of our member programs is dependent on the involvement of local professionals.
The nine nominees for the 2008 Greater New Bedford Small Business of the Year Award are Café Funchal, Domino’s Pizza of New Bedford, Fire Systems, Inc., Medium Studio, Morin & Pepin, O’Hara Imports, Paul’s Electric, Stevens Home Improvement, and Whaler’s Cove. The winner of the Small Business of the Year Award, sponsored by BankFive, will be announced at a special edition of the Chamber’s Good Morning SouthCoast breakfast series.
The Good Morning SouthCoast! program is not a typical Chamber event, but rather a high-profile, fast-paced, and educational program geared towards executives, senior managers, professionals, and small business owners. This event will be held on Wednesday, May 14, 2008 at the Whaler Banquet & Conference Center at the Days Inn, 500 Hathaway Road, New Bedford, MA.
Featured speakers for this event include Mark Hellendrung, President of the Narragansett Brewing Company. Mr. Hellendrung has over a decade of experience growing regional beverage companies. From 1994 to 2002, he was instrumental in growing Nantucket Nectars to $65 million in sales with a sales and marketing operating model. He sold the company to Ocean Spray Cranberries in 1997 and to Cadbury Schweppes/Snapple in 2001 and served on the senior management teams of both of those companies. From 2003 to 2004, Mr. Hellendrung worked with Magic Hat Brewing Co., a 50,000 barrel craft brewer in Burlington, VT. He helped restructure the company, reversing stagnant sales to +25% growth and increased operating margins.
Other speakers include Robert H. Nelson, Massachusetts District Director for the U.S. Small Business Administration. Mr. Nelson will discuss the importance of small businesses to our economy and update members on the SBA's programs.
The cost is just $17 for members and $23 for non-members and includes a buffet breakfast. Pre-registration is required. To reserve a seat for the Good Morning SouthCoast please contact the New Bedford Area Chamber of Commerce at (508) 999-5231 or visit www.newbedfordareachamber.com.