The Southern Midcoast Maine Chamber has a busy fall lined up with several events getting announced in the past week. Here is a look at five upcoming events not to miss:
• 12 @ 12 Lunch Networking Series at Topsham Public Library, Sept. 19, noon to 1:30 p.m. 12 @ 12 is one of the low pressure networking events that SMMC hosts monthly. The event is simple — 12 representatives of member businesses, or perspective member businesses, meet for lunch at noon to get to know each other. Basically, the attendees grab food provided by the host and eat for 15 minutes or so, then each member gets five minutes to present what their business does and answer any questions. It’s a great way for business leaders to make a deeper connection with 11 other business leaders. Each member can attend once per year, so if you haven’t attended yet this year, now is your chance.
• Chamber After Hours at Buffalo Wild Wings, Topsham, Sept. 27, 5-7 p.m. Buffalo Wild Wings in the Topsham Fair Mall is the location for our September Chamber After Hours open house chamber mixer. Traditionally, 50-75 member and perspective member businesses will meet at these monthly open house-style events. It begins at 5 p.m., but most attendants get there by 5:30 once they close their businesses for the day, and relax with food and drink. For those who haven’t been to Buffalo Wild Wings before, the After Hours is a great night to come out and see how much this space has to offer. Featuring dozens of televisions, a large bar area, and out-of-this-world signature wings, BWW is the perfect place to relax after work, watch the game or just hang out with friends. The Topsham location also has a room that can be sectioned off to seat 50-60 people for large parties and company gatherings. The side room has glass doors, which keeps attendees part of the atmosphere, but also allows for privacy for the group. Add to that full drink options, more than 20 beers on tap and unique party food options, and you see why BWW is a popular spot for football fans every season.
• Second annual GlowBall Golf Spectacular at Mere Creek Golf Course, Brunswick, Sept. 30 at 7 p.m. One of the highlights of 2016 was the GlowBall night golf tournament at Mere Creek, and the SMMC is thrilled to be bringing it back again in 2017. It’s Saturday, Sept. 30, with a 7 p.m. tee-off for the nine-hole tournament. For those that have never played, night golf is played with glow-in-the-dark golf balls, on a course that is lit only by glow sticks at the tee box, glow sticks on the boundaries of the fairways, a glow stick on the pin and one in the hole. Each golfer is also given a lit necklace to wear so other golfers can see them and (hopefully) avoid hitting them. It’s a fun and unique experience and all for fun. Like last year, there will be a pre-tournament raffle of four items that a team can use to enhance their chances to win (for instance a lantern to help read the greens, etc.) For only $50 per player you are provided with glow balls, necklaces, cart, pre-tournament food and fun — it’s no wonder the tournament fills up quickly. Our returning champions, the Maine Tourism Association/ Retail Association of Maine team, will be back to defend their title, and win the heralded trophy (which last year was a golden unicorn lamp). What will be the trophy this year? You’ll have to come out to find out. With only room from 12 teams and only four teams left unfilled, don’t delay if you want to play.
• Fall Hiring Fair, Cook’s Corner Mall, Brunswick, Oct. 12, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Without question, the number one issue facing businesses in the Midcoast region and throughout the state right now is a lack of workforce. The Times Record and many other news outlets have highlighted the need for workers in the region as seen through stories about businesses cutting back hours due to low staffing and many tourism businesses struggling with less H2B visas being awarded this year. In years past, SMMC has only done the one hiring fair in the spring, however, with such great need a Fall Hiring Fair is needed. Thank you to Mid Coast-Parkview Hospital for sponsoring the event, the Midcoast CareerCenter for helping SMMC organize the event and to our hosting venue — the Cook’s Corner Mall in Brunswick. The location is inside the enclosed portion of the mall near TJ Maxx and Big Lots. If you’re someone looking for a new career, you are encouraged to visit the CareerCenter for free help to update your resume prior to the event. More than 360 attendees came to the spring event with 61 employers with booths. Organizers expect a similar turnout for this fall’s event. Keep reading this weekly column for further updates.
• October Chamber After Hours at Curtis Memorial Library (cohosted by Horch Roofing), Oct. 12, 5-7 p.m. The October After Hours should be well attended as two great organizations will be cohosting this event. With so many employers in Brunswick for the hiring fair, many will simply hang around until the event that night and network with dozens of other business leaders. More details on this event as it comes closer.
To register for any of these events or if you have questions, contact SMMC at (207) 725-8797 or email executivedirector@midcoastmaine.com.
Lastly, for a non-chamber event, but one with significant impact, Cool As a Moose is doing a massive Red Cross Blood Drive this Friday, Sept. 15. Check out redcrossblood.org for details or to reserve your spot.
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