The Lewiston Auburn Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce covers more than 14 towns and cities in the LA region.
We are hard at work advocating, convening, leveraging and innovating for business success!
Join before December 31, 2018 and receive 15 months for the price of 12!
Join today by clicking here!
Ray Geiger Chamber Champion Award
The Ray Geiger Award is the highest honor given to a member by the Lewiston Auburn Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce. It is our most prestigious award. It is given to an individual who has proven to be a champion of and for the LA Metro Chamber. The award is presented to an individual who has invested a great deal of time, energy, and resources into furthering the LA Metro Chamber’s mission and working toward bettering our communities.
“Make it, make things, make products, make your life here, make your dreams come true here,” explained Beckie Conrad the Executive Director of the Lewiston Auburn Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce on the first episode of the #ProvenProfitable Podcast, Season 2 kickoff interview. Beckie came on the podcast hosted by Justin Starbird & Matty Boutwell to discuss the possibilities of building a business and building a life in the Lewiston Auburn region that inspired the promotional campaign that the Chamber recently launched.
The LA Metro Chamber is playing an essential role in growing the Maine economy. Today more than ever, Beckie and her team are heavily focused on establishing a regional image for the second largest economy in Maine. The recently launched campaign to promote the region, called “Make it Here,” is centered on the manufacturing history, but includes the arts, tourism, and the unique history of the area and pride that accompanies each facet.
At the upcoming Maine Business Expo, the Lewiston Auburn Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce is serving as a Dirigo Partner for the event. The Maine Business Expo is taking place at the Holiday Inn by the Bay in Portland on November 14thand the Chamber’s Beckie Conrad will be attending the event to showcase the region’s thriving business community.
The Chamber’s goal is to promote a positive image of the area and simultaneously develop the workforce, as the two should work hand in hand. A positive image will draw educated workers and in turn enhance the workforce. It includes supporting young folks who want to pursue trades, as well as those looking to utilize their PhDs.
Building a qualified workforce is a challenge and continuous objective for almost any community. The LA Metro Chamber is looking to proactively solve the dilemma through integrated marketing plans, educational system support, and local business collaboration. By first focusing on the youth in the area, the Chamber hopes to develop skilled individuals who become part of the community, acquire purposeful jobs, and start families. Ideally, the community members are supporting non-profits, attending sporting events, and utilizing local educational systems for their children to keep the cycle moving in a positive direction.
As recent graduates think about where to start their first job, the Lewiston and Auburn region needs to be a consideration to make the area thrive. In order to make this happen, the Chamber is partnering with educational institutions, including five very busy colleges where students have already chosen the community for continued education. Once their education has been completed, it is imperative that the region have both options to begin a career and the appeal to start a family when graduates accept their first job.
Recently, the LA Metro Chamber partnered with WGME to showcase their image campaign. In working to attract advertisers to be part of the campaign, they hope to layer in a lot of the work they’re doing, spread it across the community, and tie it into the “Make it Here” campaign. By making it in the LA Metro area, individuals and their families can make memories here and make their lives here.
One great example of how individuals play a prominent role in the LA community and show just how possible it is to make it, is Dianna Pozdniakov. Dianna owns Sofia Fima and relocated to Lewiston from New York. She has renovated a building on Lisbon Street and opened her design studio for high-end pocketbooks here. Diana is a chamber member and her story is important to share. She’s really utilized the Chamber’s resources and assisted in the LA area’s economic growth.
“Diana is making it in the LA area and wants her customers to come here and make it here too,” added Conrad.
At the Maine Business Expo, one of the topics is going to specifically be about workforce and business development. At this event, Chambers will come together and form a statewide dialogue around key issues impacting the economy at the moment. Through the gathering, the LA Metro Chamber hopes to reinforce the idea that they are a statewide resource that will do great work with other organizations. They also hope to portray themselves as a leader in Maine’s future, playing into the Dirigo meaning of “I lead.”
“It’s great to have the opportunity to pull these people together, have a conversation about things that need to get done, showcase the people that have done it, and apply those templates and roadmaps to different communities,” said Justin Starbird.
With fall quickly approaching, the community is breathing in the fresh, crisp air, as they look to make action plans and start fresh. The Lewiston Auburn Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce’s strategic planning process is underway, programs are launching, and the structure is changing to focus on executing projects.
The Lewiston Auburn Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Uplift LA present an updated version of the Androscoggin Leadership Development Institute (ALDI). ALDI will run weekly September 12 – November 14 and help participants foster stronger working relationships, learn to communicate and motivate and gain skills needed to advance their careers. Beckie Conrad, LA Metro Chamber President & CEO stated, “I’m pleased that Uplift LA has taken the lead for the Chamber to redesign and refresh the Androscoggin Leadership Development Institute to meet the needs of our rising professionals and expand their capacity to increasingly take on leadership roles within local businesses and organizations.”
Hone your leadership skills – Be it managing a team, running a nonprofit, or starting up your own business, ALDI is the place to hone the skills that will make you a successful leader and manager. The 2018 Program is designed for first time to middle managers who are interested in developing their communication, strategic planning, and core leadership skills.
The Androscoggin Leadership Development Institute is designed to provide rising leaders the real world skills needed to have a tangible impact on their businesses and communities. The program will challenge participants to use learned skills vital for today’s managers and leaders. Additionally, ALDI will address complex challenges facing businesses today. The program culminates with a capstone that will bring real expertise back to your workplace and community!
ALDI is a 3 month program combining classroom learning, interactive sessions, and hands on experiences designed to enhance leadership skills, cultivate strengths, and strengthen weaknesses. Participants will learn from experts in their fields who have demonstrated success in communication, networking, strategic planning among others. The program prepares its graduates for success in the business, nonprofit and government worlds, ensuring they have a foundation capable of meeting the pressing demands of today’s ever-changing workforce.
Member & non member cost is $750 until 9/5/18, on 9/6/18 the cost increases to $1,000. Registration is limited! Sign up today! All classes will be held in Lewiston and Auburn. Register online at www.LAMetroChamber.com. Questions? Call 207-783-2249.
September 12, 5-8pm – Intro to course – Orientation, ice breakers, structure of program, expected outcomes, discussion of capstone, start thinking about specialty areas, background data. Facilitated by: Dan Bourgeois-Capozzi, Androscoggin Bank
September 15, 9am-3pm – Core Skills – Behavioral Identification – Participants will use a behavior assessment in class. The facilitator will help participants understand their own behaviors and identify how to best interact and communicate with others. Facilitated by: Ann Burrill, Androscoggin Bank
September 19, 5-8pm – Core Skills – Communication and Demeanor – using behavioral results to apply to these areas, role playing activities, networking will be briefly covered. Facilitated by: Ann Burrill, Androscoggin Bank
September 26, 5-8pm – Core Skills – Networking – importance of internal vs. external; difference between initial introductions and building a professional network; what to do after; career pathing. Facilitated by: Shelly Prey & Kendra Wheeler, Bangor Savings Bank
October 3, 5-8pm – Local Issues – Employers of participants will receive a survey upon sign up to find out what’s important to them, a panel discussion will be built around that data. Facilitated by: TBD
October 13, 9am-1pm – Core Skills – Strategic Planning – how to build one, take a look at the health and wellness of the organization, potential futures, complexities involved, continuous improvement, successful cultures build this in to overall operations; Harvard Business Review case study. Facilitated by: Paul Beaudette, Leading Edge Business Solutions & Shanna Cox, Project Tipping Point
October 24, 5-8pm – Local Issues (2nd session) – Employers of participants will receive a survey upon sign up to find out what’s important to them, a panel discussion will be built around that data. Facilitated by: TBD
November 1, 4-8pm – Specialty Areas – Participants will be given 5 topics (Entrepreneurship, Managing a Team, Change Agility, Nonprofit, Civic Policy) and asked to select top 3 areas for deeper discussion. Groups split up based on choices. Participants will create a deliverable from each specialty area (capstone). Facilitated by: Varies
November 7, 4-8pm – Specialty Areas (2nd session) – Participants will be given 5 topics (Entrepreneurship, Managing a Team, Change Agility, Nonprofit, Civic Policy) and asked to select top 3 areas for deeper discussion. Groups split up based on choices. Participants will create a deliverable from each specialty area (capstone). Facilitated by: Varies
November 14 – Presentation of Capstones & Celebration – Wrap up course, present capstones to business leaders. Learn about the Top Gun program for those interested in entrepreneurship. For: Participants and their employers
The 19th Annual Chip Morrison Scholarship Scramble will be held Wednesday, August 22, 2018 at Turner Highlands Golf Course.
The golf tournament funds scholarships for students at Central Maine Community College and regional high schools.
For many students, a college education would not be possible without financial assistance. The Scholarship Scramble has been an important source of scholarship funds. These funds provide critical resources for need based and merit-based financial assistance, helping students on the path to a successful career and a brighter future. Please sponsor today to make a difference tomorrow.
For more information on sponsorship opportunities click here!
The LA Metro Marketplace is a showcase of the greater Lewiston Auburn area. Under one roof we will capture an inspiring representation of the many facets of our communities. As you explore the LA Metro Marketplace, you’ll be captivated by the number of world class products made here, the top notch services provided and overall how much we have to be proud of right here in our own area. Anyone walking into the Marketplace that day will leave with a positive image of our area
View all of our 2018 Annual Award videos here!
View of Lewiston from Auburn Riverwalk, 2017 by Kenneth Harvey
Selected “Best in Show” and reproduced as 100 limited edition prints to celebrate the 130th Anniversary of the Lewiston Auburn Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce.
Kenneth Harvey, from Sabattus, Maine is a self-taught watercolorist. After working for a major corporation for 32 years, he retired to follow his lifelong dream of becoming a full-time artist and paints primarily en plein air, mostly in the Boothbay coastal area of Maine.
The prints are for sale at the Lewiston Auburn Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce, 415 Lisbon Street, Lewiston. $100 each, limited supply!
The Lewiston Auburn Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce, Uplift LA and Northeast Charter & Tour are joining forces to brighten the holidays for local families in need.
From now until December 12 you can donate NEW toys and clothing, appropriate for children ages 0-18. All donations received will be distributed by representatives of Advocates for Children, Boys & Girls Club, Tri County Mental Health Services, Trinity Jubilee, Tedford Housing, Safe Voices, and Sandcastle Clinical & Educational Services and will stay within our community, assisting only local families.
Where can you make your donation?
*At the LA Metro Chamber, 415 Lisbon Street, Lewiston by December 8
*Drop off at one of our participating bus stops before December 11
(List available here)
*Business After Hours at Lost Valley on Tuesday, December 12
