DID THE FRYEBURG BUSINESS ASSOCIATION DROP THE BALL?

Mike Corthell, Editor                                                                               

Having a prior commitment the editor was unable to attend this years annual meeting. So I spent some time speaking with fellow members who did attend. ''Well attended.'' ''Great place to hold the meeting.'' etc, etc. BUT...WHAT HAPPENED TO THE ANNUAL MEETING??

Yes, some nice presentations but no meeting.

This comment was posted to the FBA Facebook page ( https://www.facebook.com/fryeburgbusiness ).... ''So we were told that there was to be a FBA Annual meeting together with a presentation on the Saco River and Tourism last night at the PAC. Three speakers spoke on tourism in Maine but not once was the Saco River mentioned. Also there was no FBA Annual Meeting. Did anyone else feel the agenda was misrepresented.''

Nearly everyone feels that a business association is a great idea. (This writer feels a Chamber of Commerce would be better idea.) However, most people ask me, ''What are they doing? What do I get for my support, my time and my dues??

Perception is everything in public relations and marketing.

Fryeburg is sandwiched between two high quality and very active Chambers of Commerce; Mt. Washington Valley and Bridgton-Lakes Region.

Does Fryeburg need a Chamber of Commerce or should we rely on our neighbors?

What will be done? What should be done?

The very first thing that must be done is to address the question posed above:

''...there was no FBA Annual Meeting. Did anyone else feel the agenda was misrepresented.''

The following maybe be helpful moving forward:

''A chamber of commerce is an organization of businesses seeking to further their collective interests, while advancing their community, region, state or nation. Business owners in towns, cities and other territories voluntarily form these local societies/networks to advocate on behalf of the community at large, economic prosperity and business interests. Chambers have existed in the US for more than two centuries, with many having been established before the jurisdictions they represent. A business-led civic and economic advancement entity operating in a specific space may call itself any number of things – board of trade, business council, etc. – but for the purposes of this primer, they are all chambers of commerce. READ MORE


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