LA: "Make It Here"

In partnership with WGME, the LA Metro Chamber of Commerce has launched the “Make It Here” campaign that capitalizes on the proud history of high quality goods made in the region and the current strong manufacturing economic base ranging from fine art craftsmanship to innovative and high-tech precision items distributed world-wide.

The campaign encourages growth in all sectors:

●     Home to five colleges and several institutes, “Make LA your choice for education.”

●     “Make your dreams come true” by finding a career in the region’s healthcare, financial or service industries.

●     “Make a memory” with a weekend visit to unique cultural events, restaurants or one of five local breweries, or a day skiing, biking, hiking or paddling all within ten minutes of several hotels.

●     “Make it Home” and find a wide range of housing choices supported by strong neighborhood schools.

The regional image campaign was launched as part of the Chamber’s new economic development department that includes a full-time business development specialist focused on business retention and expansion with an emphasis on entrepreneurial growth; a loan officer managing a $3M portfolio; and consulting services on Customs and foreign trade issues.

Our Speaker:

Rebecca Swanson Conrad joined the Lewiston Auburn Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce in March 2017 as the President & CEO. Previously, she was the Vice President for Institutional Advancement at Maine College of Art. She was co-owner with her husband of Austin’s Fine Wines and Foods for 20 years and for 3 years owned and operated Rÿsen Home Garden & Antiques, a retail gallery promoting local art and products that supported international women’s economic development. Prior to Rÿsen, Conrad’s career spanned 21 years in higher education administration at Bates College, including 1999-2003 when she served as executive director of LA Excels, the college’s non-profit community development partnership. She served on the Maine Arts Commission for seven years, with four as vice-chair. Other volunteer board roles include past chair of the Lewiston Auburn Economic Growth Council, Androscoggin Home Care & Hospice and L/A Arts, and as vice chair of the Maine Association of Nonprofits. She currently serves with Oxfam’s, “Sisters on the Planet,” a diverse group of American women using their influence to fight global poverty, hunger, and injustice, with a particular focus on empowering women and girls worldwide. She is also on the advisory board of USM’s LA College and the Muskie School’s Board of Visitors and is a member of the Auburn Lewiston Airport board of directors. Conrad received her BA in English from Bates College and studied in the New England Studies MFA Program at the University of Southern Maine. She lives in Auburn with her husband Austin Conrad, Jr. and her cat,Charles Mingus.

Roundtable:

Facilitators:  Priscilla Hansen Mahoney, John Shorb

In late May the ACE membership was invited to participate in a workshop to address the future direction of ACE.  Specifically, the workshop focused on the stated Mission/Purpose and the website description of Who We Are….how we describe ourselves to those who visit the website homepage.  In addition, the workshop created input on ACE’s relevance to members, guests and the larger community that we are a part of as well as creating a list of changes to consider as ACE moves forward.

The intent of the Roundtable is to inform the membership on the outputs from the Workshop, share what has been approved by the Executive Committee, and to get input on how best to engage the membership as we move forward.

The Facts...