You won’t want to miss this!  More details to follow…

The Build Your Business series continues monthly with these exciting topics.  Save the dates!

March 15 – What’s Your Marketing IQ – Bill Bradley from Bottom Line Communications
April 19 – Excel at Customer Service and Retention
May 17 – Computer Networking/IT – Making It All Work!
June 21 – Business Networking and Social Media

Be sure to watch The Chef’s Plate on WBIN TV this Saturday at 3:00 pm. The program features four local restaurants (a couple of Chamber members!!) and local businesses as sponsors.

Check your listings for the channel of your cable service – Amherst Comcast is channel 6.

We think the show came out really well and promotes the Souhegan Valley Chamber and the community. The next show will feature another of our towns. There’s still time to book a slot on the next show.

The First Annual Chili Chowder Cook Off on Sunday was a big hit! There were big crowds, great food and beverages, wonderful entertainment – what could be better on a sunny Sunday afternoon!?

And the winners are:

Chowder
Professional – Chrysanthi’s, Brookline
Amateur – Sally Long, Amherst

Chili
Professional – The Barn at Hitchiner
Amateur – Tom & Kem Vassello

Peoples’ Choice Overall Winner
Hillbilly Stampede, Lori Skinner

A special thanks to Marlena Phillips for entertaining us? Also to our beverage sponsors Labelle Winery, Bellavance Beverages, Smuttynose Brewery, Woodstock Inn Brewery, Moonlight Meadery, and Vitone Family Wines. We thank H20 Waste Disposal Services at www.byebyedump.com for their assistance and Mareld Co., Inc. for giving us the great location and facility for the Cook Off. And finally, we thank all of the professional and amateur chefs for their great food.

After this year’s success, the Chili Chowder Cook Off is sure to be an annual event for the SVCC and Opportunity Networks.

It is with great pride that we close out the 2011 SVCC year of events and partnerships. Thanks to our wonderful volunteer committees, we have been able to contribute nearly $14,000 to our Veterans through Harbor Homes and the Veterans FIRST Auction, recognize our Future Business Leaders in five area high schools at our Annual Dinner with our Leaders for 2011, promote our businesses, nonprofit organizations and support robotics competition for students at the SNH Expo and plan for our newest event, a Chili Chowder Cook Off with Opportunity Networks. All because of you – our members, friends, volunteers, sponsors, donors and those who attend our events. Thank you for making this possible.

Plans are under way for the Veterans FIRST Auction and dinner to be held Saturday, April 14 at the Alpine Grove in Hollis. This year’s auction is especially important because of the economic climate of uncertainty and the immediate impact Harbor Homes services have on the lives of veterans and their families.

The committee is looking to members and friends for their assistance by donating items, gift certificates, services and get-a-ways. Both fun and practical contributions are welcomed. This is the fifth year of auctions in support of our service men and women.

Donations may be made through Harbor Homes or by contacting the Chamber. Sponsorships are still available at levels beginning at $100.

The Business and Industry Associationo f New Hampshire is holding a Small Business Day at the State House on Tuesday, January 31, from 7:30 am to 12:00 noon at the Holiday Inn in Concord.

• Learn strategies for securing business financing and accessing alternative lending programs
• Find out all you need to know about doing business with the state
• Hear from the state’s top elected leaders about key small business issues in 2012
• Learn about New Hampshire’s innovative and successful NH Working programs and how they can help small businesses find the right applicants

Sponsored by Bank of America / Merrill Lynch and the New Hampshire Business Review.

Visit the BIA website or call 603.224.5388 x116 to register or learn more.

When: Thursday, February 2, 5:30 – 7:30 pm
Where: Souhegan Valley Boys & Girls Club, Mont Vernon Street, Milford NH
RSVP: Chamber Office at 603 673-4360 or email may@souhegan.net

Get the New Year off to a great start and join members, friend and guests at the Souhegan Valley Boys & Girls Club, Mont Vernon St., Milford. Come see the wonderful facility and programs provided by the Club staff and Board for our young people throughout the area towns. Make your first resolution to meet and connect with lots of new business members. Special feature just for us – a private production of “Beyond the Sea” performed by the Riverbend Youth Theater group at 7:30!

Remember, if you bring a door prize to this event you will have the opportunity to address the group with important news about your business. Bring plenty of business cards for networking and to enter to win one of the door prizes. Who knows what excellent connections you will make at the event? Perhaps your best business resource yet will be there just waiting to meet you!

The 1st Annual Chili Chowder Cook Off takes place Sunday, January 29. Please download the Cook Off Flyer/Poster for this event for posting and sharing with your friends and co-workers. And please purchase your tickets so you can join us!

Build Your Business Series
New Toolkit for Today’s Professionals!

Session 1: Building Your Sales Techniques
Wednesday, February 8
7:15 to 8:45 AM
Chamber Offices
Sponsored by Centrix Bank

Mark your calendars for the first of a series of informational workshops presented for you to offer cutting edge professionals on the topics that can help you build your business! You told us what issues and subject areas would help you hone your skills and develop a cadre of resources that are practical and useful to you.

To kick off the monthly sessions, we are very fortunate to have Kevin Hallenbeck join us. The Sandler Training Center in NH founded by Kevin Hallenbeck is an award winning sales training and business development organization that has been helping corporations and individuals achieve new levels of personal and professional success for more than 16 years. They provide client companies a personalized development experience in private training centers located in Manchester and Portsmouth NH as well as corporate onsite training at their business locations. The programs are professional level, focusing on knowledge and awareness, and continuing with ongoing reinforcement to achieve a higher level of success.

We are pleased to offer this opportunity to members and local businesses at a nominal cost thanks to the support of Centrix Bank. Seating will be limited for the session so make your reservation today! Member $25 / Not Yet Members $35. Call or email the office to register, or register and pay right now on our Major Events and Programs page.