Archive for May, 2009
Tuesday, May 26th, 2009
Ladies and gentlemen…..start your job search. New Hampshire Motor Speedway, New England’s largest sporting facility and home to two annual NASCAR races, has been announced as the site of the WMUR Project Economy Job & Career Fair II scheduled to take place Thursday, August 27th from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
“It gives us great pleasure to partner with the State of New Hampshire and WMUR to be able to help local job seekers take the next step in their career journey,” said New Hampshire Motor Speedway General Manager Jerry Gappens. “New Hampshire Motor Speedway has always placed great emphasis on service to our community and this effort is in great keeping with our mission of giving back to those who’ve helped us become so successful.”
The previous Project Economy Job & Career Fair held April 9th at Southern New Hampshire University in Manchester drew over 10,000 job seekers. The massive turnout created parking, traffic and building occupancy problems. Given the size of the Speedway and additional parking space at the facility, organizers don’t expect the same logistical issues.
“The Speedway is actually the best solution for an event of this size and magnitude in the state of New Hampshire,” said New Hampshire Division of Economic Development Communications & Legislative Director Steve Boucher. “If the track can handle 100,000 visitors at a NASCAR race, we have no doubt that it can accommodate all of the job seekers and business owners taking part in the Job & Career Fair.”
Once again, WMUR has assembled a team of state and local partners that will bring together employers and job seekers for a day of networking, workshops and career connections. The Statewide Job & Career Expo is just one facet of Project Economy, a WMUR initiative to help viewers cope with challenging economic times and provide information on subjects as varied as retirement planning and college savings.
“We’re proud of the fact that our Project Economy initiative has not only provided excellent information to help people weather the economic storm, it has also helped many get a job,” said WMUR General Manager Jeff Bartlett. “With only a fraction of the 150 employers reporting in from the first Job & Career Expo, we can already document over 400 hires. Anytime you can put hundreds of people back to work, that’s an effort worth repeating.”
The State of New Hampshire is currently soliciting businesses interested in being part of the August Job & Career Fair. Registration is free but companies are urged to sign up as soon as possible by visiting www.wmur.com/nh-job-fair. All questions about business registration should be directed to Business Registration Coordinator Stuart Arnett at (603) 219-0043.
A separate online registration form is currently being developed by New Hampshire Employment Security for job seekers and should be operational by mid June. In the meantime, job seekers are encouraged to visit the NHES Job Match System at https://nhworksjobmatch.nhes.nh.gov/.
– Steve Boucher, Communications & Legislative Director
Tags: Jeff Bartlett, Jerry Gappens, NASCAR, New Hampshire Employment Security, New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Stuart Arnett, WMUR Project Economy Job & Career Fair II
Posted in NH Business Matters | Comments Off on Revving Up Your Job Search
Tuesday, May 26th, 2009
Yes, add a pinch of hope, a sprinkling of care and a dash of optimism and you can basically make any dream a reality.
I’ve always considered Colebrook, NH “the little town that could” and once again, they’ve reaffirmed my faith in their tenacity, resolve and spirit. When word came down in April that area landmark Le Rendez-Vous was shutting down because the U.S. Embassy refused to renew the visa of owner Verlaine Daeron, the community could have accepted the news as just another blow to the local economy. Fat chance…..
Instead, they wrote letters, they lobbied their congressmen and pulled together a petition to be sent to the the U.S. Embassy in Paris. How dare the team of bureaucrats at the Embassy decide that the little bakery that had provided so much joy to Colebrook residents wasn’t turning enough of a profit to merit a visa renewal?
Last week, thanks to the determination of “the little town that could,” the Embassy reversed their decision – Verlaine would be allowed to return to the U.S., Le Rendez-Vous would remain open and Colebrook residents would be able to enjoy the freshly baked breads and chocolate madelines they’ve come to expect over the past eight years.
Congratulations to Le Rendez-Vous, congratulations to New Hampshire’s Congressional delegation, congratulations to the Division of Economic Development (especially Beno Lamontagne for his efforts to save the bakery) and most of all, congratulations to the citizens of Colebrook for a job well done. This little town’s spirit is a tasty recipe for success and community pride indeed.
– Steve Boucher, Communications & Legislative Director
Tags: Beno Lamontagne, Colebrook, Le Rendez-Vous, NH Division of Economic Development, Verlaine Daeron
Posted in NH Business Matters | Comments Off on A Recipe for Success
Wednesday, May 20th, 2009
Now here’s an opportunity you can’t refuse….learn how to network and build business relationships without having to blow a day on the golf course or get cornered by the widget salesman with the spitting problem at your 1,000th “Business After Hours” of the year.
Social marketing isn’t just a buzzword or a fad. It’s the way that more and more savvy business professionals are choosing to communicate. If you’ve never tweeted or posted a photo of your new product on your Facebook account, you’re missing a valuable, low cost marketing opportunity.
 Recognizing how valuable this productivity tool is, the NH Division of Economic Development, in coordination with its “social marketing gurus” Epiphanies, Inc. , Public Service of NH and the “Stay, Work & Play” initiative will host the first annual “A-Ha!” NH Social Media Business Summit at PSNH, 780 North Commercial Street in Manchester, on Monday, June 15th from 9:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
This event is geared towards entrepreneurs, marketing professionals, business owners, and companies of all sizes and industries.
Sessions for the event include:
« Beyond the Hype: A No-nonsense Introduction to Social Media’s Real Power and Promise for NH Businesses (especially in this untamed economic environment)
« 7 Powerful Ways to Use Social Media Right Now to Boost Visibility, Cultivate Relationships, Outshine Competitors and Get Results
« Yes, It Can Be Measured! How to Tell If Your Social Marketing Efforts Are Delivering Results
« Social Marketing Success Stories: Panel Discussion with Q & A
Workshop sessions will be presented/moderated by Lani & Allen Voivod, co-owners of Epiphanies, Inc., a social marketing & success strategies firm based in the Lakes Region, with other featured speakers to be announced. Outgoing USNH Chancellor Stephen Reno will deliver opening remarks, and there will be a facilitated networking lunch as well.
As a special gift to New Hampshire’s business community, admission is free. However, there are only 100 slots available, so early registration is strongly suggested. To register, go to www.AhaNH.com. For more information, call Epiphanies, Inc at (603) 524-5248.
– Steve Boucher, Communications & Legislative Director
Tags: "Stay Work & Play", Allen Voivod, Epiphanies, Inc., Lani Voivod, NH Division of Economic Development, Public Service of New Hampshire, Stephen Reno, USNH
Posted in NH Business Matters | Comments Off on Get Sociably Ahead of the Curve
Wednesday, May 20th, 2009
The development of revolutionary web technology has led to Ektron Inc. being named the “Innovation Rocks!” Award winner by the New Hampshire Division of Economic Development’s Business Resource Center for the month of May.
 The Nashua-based company, a market leader in Web content management software, recently unveiled its PageBuilder technology which is aimed at providing marketing departments or other non-technical users the tools to build entire Web pages on their own. The Ektron developer community can also leverage the PageBuilder as a simple way to reuse and share common functionality from one Ektron-powered site to another.
“With so much of business development and marketing tied to the Web, this new technology is of maximum benefits to companies seeking to stay ahead of the curve,” said New Hampshire Division of Economic Development Interim Director Roy Duddy. “PageBuilder is a great example of a New Hampshire innovation that is helping people all across the globe to communicate and share information more easily and effectively.”
For more information about Ektron Inc. and PageBuilder, visit www.ektron.com.
“Innovation Rocks!” is an initiative sponsored by the New Hampshire Division of Economic Development’s Business Resource Center in coordination with Rock 101 (WGIR-FM) and the The Pavilion at the Hilton Garden Inn Manchester Downtown to celebrate the creativity and ingenuity of New Hampshire innovators.
Tags: Ektron Inc., New Hampshire Division of Economic Development, NH Business Resource Center, PageBuilder, Rock 101, Roy Duddy, The Pavilion at the Hilton Garden Inn Manchester Downtown, WGIR-FM
Posted in NH Business Matters | Comments Off on Ektron Inc. Named May “Innovation Rocks!” Award Winner
Friday, May 15th, 2009
Just happened to read that Canterbury musician and barn dance caller Dudley Laufman has been awarded the nation’s highest folk and traditional arts honor.
 The 78-year-old musician, one of 11 winners of this year’s National Heritage Fellowship, has been calling dances in the Granite State since 1948 and is the third New Hampshire resident to receive the award.
Congratulations Dudley and best wishes for a great night at the gala awards celebration in Washington in September!
-Steve Boucher, Communications & Legislative Director
Tags: Dudley Laufman, National Endowment for the Arts
Posted in NH Business Matters | Comments Off on Canterbury Musician Makes NH Proud
Friday, May 15th, 2009
Low taxes, responsive state government and innovation….can you say “a great expansion or relocation target?”
Yes, the Granite State was recently featured in Business Expansion Journal, a national publication that provides site selectors and major firms with the great information they can use when deciding when to expand or pull up stakes and move.
 New Hampshire Division of Economic Development Interim Director Roy Duddy was interviewed for the piece and captured the essense of the New Hampshire sales pitch by saying, “We pride ourselves in the value you get for your dollar,” and “We’re that small ship in the harbor that’s able to turn very, very quickly and react pretty much on a minute’s notice.”
To read the entire piece, visit http://www.bxjonline.com/bxj/article.asp?magarticle_id=1400. If you’re a company interested in exploring what New Hampshire has to offer, you’re already in the right place. Just give Business Development Manager Michael Bergeron a call at (603) 271-2341.
Tags: Business Expansion Journal, Granite State, Michael Bergeron, NH Division of Economic Development, Roy Duddy
Posted in NH Business Matters | Comments Off on New Hampshire Featured in National Publication
Friday, May 15th, 2009
 Bet you never thought you’d see a photo like this on a state economic development Web site, did you? Well, New Hampshire prides itself on being a bit different and on celebrating cultural amenities of all types including a major rock musical festival taking place at the Meadowbrook U.S. Cellular Pavilion next weekend.
 Want to learn more? Visit our new “Granite Greatness” feature at http://www.nheconomy.com/Granite-Greatness.aspx. In the immortal words of Meadowbrook founder Bob Harding, “ROCK ON!”
Tags: Bob Harding, Granite Greatness, Korn, Meadowbrook U.S. Cellular Pavilion
Posted in NH Business Matters | Comments Off on Rock On! New Hampshire
Thursday, May 14th, 2009
 Billie Jean King vs. Bobby Riggs was just an appetizer. The main course in the battle of the sexes will actually take place on Friday, June 5th at 7:30 p.m. as a team of six female business professionals takes on a team of six male business professionals as part of the Second Annual New Hampshire Business Bowl at The Acting Loft Field at the Verizon Wireless Arena.
During the course of the Manchester Wolves – Albany Firebirds af2 football game, two teams of six local business professionals will take part in fun and competitive “office Olympics” style events which will test their teamwork skills. The women’s team will be led by Print Savvy CEO Lisa Landry while North American Equipment Upfitters President Michael Dunican will be at the helm of the men’s squad. The winner of the competition will receive the second annual Business Bowl trophy, tickets to Canobie Lake Park and tickets to Wolves games for the remainder of the 2009 season.
“Last year’s Business Bowl demonstrated the great teamwork that it takes to build a winning organization and we’re glad to be able to introduce an interesting new twist to this year’s event,” said Manchester Wolves General Manager Stephanie Bike. “We all know that men and women each contribute to the success of local businesses and play a vital role in writing a Granite State success story both in the boardroom and on the playing field.”
New Hampshire Division of Economic Development Communications & Legislative Director Steve Boucher added that the Business Bowl is part of his agency’s desire to reach out to new clients in innovative and non-traditional ways.
“Rather than hosting a regular business after hours or scheduling a typical ‘getting to know you’ networking session, we want to engage the business community in an enjoyable and interesting way,” he said. “Building new relationships and establishing partnerships is supposed to be fun – who really gets jazzed up by business as usual?”
Prior to the Business Bowl event, the Business Resource Center, the Wolves, event sponsor Cartridge World and media partners New Hampshire Business Review and WGAM will host a free business appreciation reception for the first 50 business respondents at Piccola Italia Ristorante at 5:30 p.m. To make reservations for the free reception or purchase tickets to the game (at the special Business Bowl price of $10 per ticket), contact the Manchester Wolves at 627-9653 or sbike@manchesterwolves.com.
Tags: Albany Firebirds, Canobie Lake Park, Cartridge World, Manchester Wolves, New Hampshire Business Bowl, New Hampshire Business Review, North American Equipment Upfitters, Piccola Italia Ristorante, Print Savvy, Stephanie Bike, The Acting Loft, Verizon Wireless Arena, WGAM
Posted in NH Business Matters | Comments Off on The Battle of the Sexes Revisited
Wednesday, May 13th, 2009
Now here’s a tip that you can use. If you’re like me and always looking for a neat new place to plan your next meeting, our friends down the hall at the Division of Travel & Tourism Development have a great solution for you.
They’ve just launched a new, high tech, user friendly planning resource where you can easily compare hundreds of venues and services, view videos and slideshows, find hot deals, send RFPs, create your own websites for your events and much, much more. It is the ideal resource for planning meetings of any size. The best part is that it’s all free!!! Use www.visitnh.gov/meetings to plan your next meeting.
– Steve Boucher, Communications & Legislative Director
Tags: Division of Travel & Tourism Development, NH meetings
Posted in NH Business Matters | Comments Off on Meeting Planning Made Easy
Thursday, May 7th, 2009
 Two short months ago, the NH Division of Economic Development partnered with our good friends over at the Manchester Wolves, NH Mirror and Women Inspiring Women to host the first ever “Women of the Workplace” conference at Murphy’s Taproom in Manchester. This event was a tremendous success attracting 130 women with more than 50 additional being turned away. We’re planning on an even bigger and better event in 2010, but in the meantime, all of the women at the conference were given special t-shirts and invited to “Ladies Night” with the Manchester Wolves as they take on the Quad City Steamwheelers this Saturday evening at 7:30 p.m. at The Acting Loft Field at the Verizon Wireless Arena in Manchester.
Gentlemen, if you’re looking for a cool, family style event to take the special lady in your life to, this is a neat pre-Mother’s Day present. And ladies, there are a lot worse ways to spend the evening than having the opportunity to have an Af2 football player land at your feet in your front row seat. The Wolves are a great partner to our Division and they went all out to help provide a great event to the businesswomen and female entrepreneurs of the state. Let’s show our gratitude with a great turnout on Saturday evening! Tickets are specially priced at $10 for women and there will be some awesome giveways all night….be there. Visit manchesterwolves.com for more details!
– Steve Boucher, Communications & Legislative Director
Tags: Manchester Wolves, Murphy's Taproom, NH Division of Economic Development, NH Mirror, Women Inspiring Women, Women of the Workplace
Posted in NH Business Matters | Comments Off on Howl at the Moon Ladies….
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