Piscataquis Chamber celebrates year of record growth

McGary succeeds French as
board president

By Mike Lange
Staff Writer

    MILO — The Piscataquis Chamber of Commerce gained a record 50 new members during the last year as the organization increased its visibility and marketing efforts, according to Executive Director Denise Buzzelli.

Observer photo/Mike Lange

    CHANGING OF THE GUARD — Outgoing Chamber President Sherry French hands over the keys to the building and post office box to Christopher McGary. French had been president since 2007.

    The chamber held its annual meeting at the Three Rivers Kiwanis Club in Milo on Oct. 2, and the first sign of success was the turnout.
    Buzzelli said that she only received confirmed reservations for 26 people during the week before the meeting. But the session drew a nearly-full house of 75 to 80 members and guests.
    The highlight of the program was the award of Business of the Year to AMB Signs, owned and operated by Carl and Vicki Brackett of Dover-Foxcroft (story on page 1.)
    Buzzelli recapped some of the chamber’s accomplishments during the past year from redesigning the organization’s logo to make it more readable to increasing its presence on social media.
    “We are doing more promotion than any other chamber in the state,” Buzzelli said, citing its website, Facebook page, Twitter account and her “Peek into Piscataquis” blog in the Bangor Daily News. The chamber website is averaging 3,000 views per week, she said.
    The Piscataquis Chamber of Commerce has also made a “conscious decision to get away from fundraising,” Buzzelli said. “We are in an area saturated with non-profits, and that can be quite a burden for businesses. They perform a wonderful service in the community, so we want to be sure that we’re not competing with them.”
    Buzzelli noted that in recent years, the chamber was “more Dover-centric. When people visit our office, they’re usually from Dover-Foxcroft and they want help promoting this or that … But we’re expanding into the county more than we ever have before.”
    Buzzelli also told the audience that the chamber board of directors will unveil a new membership referral program starting in 2015. Members who help recruit new enrollees will get a discount on their dues the following year, she said.
    “We are a chamber you can be proud of. I believe this wholeheartedly,” the director said. “You’ll also be proud when you realize what we can do for you and for Piscataquis County. Your membership dollars will help us with the programs we’ve created and help create new programs.”
    The Oct. 2 annual meeting also marked the end of an era for Sherry French, who served as president since 2007. She turned the reins over to Christopher McGary, Foxcroft Academy’s assistant head of school for external affairs. “Our population of grandchildren is growing dramatically,” French said. “We have a 3-year-old, a 2-year-old and a 3-month-old, all arriving in the last three years. That’s where my heart is right now. But I will stay on the board for another year and help the chamber as much as I can.”
    At the conclusion of the meeting, Buzzelli presented French with a Pandora bracelet in appreciation for her service.