Honestly can’t remember too many photo shoots that begin with the line, “Do you want my teeth in or out?” But alas, when you’re getting ready to conduct a shoot with Manchester Monarchs tough guy Richard Clune, the rules of the game are different.
The whole point of our “We’ll Drop the Gloves for You” shoot was to get across a couple of basic facts of life: 1. That the New Hampshire Division of Economic Development will do almost anything to ensure that local business owners get the answers and assistance they need and 2. That our blog isn’t “business as usual” i.e. that it has a viewpoint and a unique approach to providing information that business owners need to have.
We thank Monarchs Vice President of Community Affairs Kim Mueller for her assistance in arranging the shoot – Kim has been a longtime friend and supporter of the New Hampshire Division of Economic Development and we value our longstanding partnership. We thank the Glen Group’s Nancy Clark and Kris Mariani as well as photographer John Hession for creating an ad that is certainly capturing some great attention and we also thank Richard Clune who couldn’t have been any nicer as we tried different scenarios before finally settling on the set-up that you see on this blog post.
Besides running in the current edition of New Hampshire Business Review, this image is also used in the new Division of Economic Development display at the Verizon Wireless Arena. Come pay it a visit the next time that you’re in the mood for some great hockey!
– Steve Boucher, Communications & Legislative Director
When developing an effective job search strategy, it’s best to keep this simple theory in mind – Positive attitude plus positive action leads to a positive result.
That’s the philosophy of award-winning human services CEO and local author Paul Boynton who is working with a team of State and private sector partners to help unemployed New Hampshire citizens access the tools and resources they need to return to the workforce.
Boynton, CEO of Manchester-based social service agency The Moore Center, announced today that he will be offering free downloads of his successful “Begin With Yes” inspirational book to any unemployed New Hampshire citizen throughout 2011 via a special download from his www.beginwithyes.com Web site. In tandem with this effort, the New Hampshire Division of Economic Development, White Mountains Community College, Public Service of New Hampshire, Logo Loc and media sponsor New Hampshire Business Review will hold the “Begin With Yes Career Fest” at White Mountains Community College in Berlin on Tuesday, March 15th from 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
“The lessons you learn in my book about the power of being positive and setting attainable goals are all good, but there needs to be a corresponding action plan to turn those good thoughts into activity,” Boynton said. “That’s why we’re not only offering free downloads to folks who are out of work, but are also providing them with the concrete set of tools they need to conduct an effective job search. It’s a two-pronged approach.”
In addition to Boynton’s keynote address, there will be four other general session workshops – “Job Search – Applications, Resumes and Cover Letters” (White Mountains Community College speaker TBD), “Effective Communication Skills in the Job Search” (Dr. Russ Ouellette, Sojourn Partners), “Networking – It’s Not Who You Know, But Who Knows You” (Kevin Shyne, North Country Tech Prep Director and Leadership North Country Executive Director) and “Social Media Basics for Job Seekers” (Allen Voivod, Epiphanies, Inc.).
“Recognizing that helping to develop a job ready workforce is a primary goal of education, White Mountains Community College is thrilled to be a part of this event,” said White Mountains Community College President Kathy Eneguess. “We look forward to lending the expertise of our staff in developing and coordinating workshops that provide valuable information to citizens looking for a fresh start backed with new ideas.”
Through a special arrangement with Manchester-based EZStream and Portsmouth-based Kinney Hill Media Partners, the entire event will streamed live at http://bit.ly/NoBullStream .
“Though the event is taking place in the North Country, we are definitely committed to ensuring that all citizens have access to this great information,” said New Hampshire Division of Economic Development Interim Director Roy Duddy. “Whether you’re someone who has been out of work for a long time or someone who is underemployed and is just seeking a new career direction, you’ll truly benefit from the combination of Paul’s book and the interactive workshops.”
“Public Service of New Hampshire is proud to take an active role in sponsoring and being on the coordinating committee of such a creative and proactive event in the state’s North Country,” added Public Service of New Hampshire Economic & Community Development Manager Pat McDermott. “Helping our citizens to get back to work and build a stronger workforce and local economy is a mission that everyone embraces and we’re just happy to be able to do our part.”
Unemployed citizens can download copies of “Begin With Yes” free of charge at http://www.beginwithyes.com/purchase.html. They will need to click the “ebook” option and enter YESNH in the discount code box. Admission to the “Begin With Yes Career Fest” is also free but is limited to the first 200 people. To register, contact Leslie Sherman at lsherman@dred.state.nh.us.
A discussion about strategies and opportunities for controlling healthcare costs, a look at this year’s top policy issues from the state’s top legislators and more will be the focus of the Business and Industry Association’s 6th Annual Small Business Day at the State House event to be held Feb. 1 at the Holiday Inn, Concord from 7:30 to 11:30 a.m.
The annual small business event, held in partnership with the New Hampshire Small Business Development Center (NH SBDC), New Hampshire Division of Economic Development, and local and regional chambers of commerce and business associations, is meant to engage small business owners and managers in public policy discussion and debate, as well as provide them with practical and relevant information to help manage and grow their business. Small Business Day is sponsored by Public Service of New Hampshire, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Hampshire, and media sponsor New Hampshire Business Review.
Small Business Day at the State House will begin with a panel discussion with the state’s top elected leaders: Senate President Peter Bragdon, House Speaker Bill O’Brien, Senate Democratic Leader Sylvia Larsen and House Minority Leader Terie Norelli (awaiting confirmation). The state leadership panel will focus specifically on top small business issues of 2011 and how state elected leaders will resolve them.
Following a short break, a panel of experts in the healthcare sector will participate in a panel discussion titled “Health Care – Why Is It So Expensive and What Can My Small Business Do About It?” Panel participants include Lisa Guertin, president of Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in New Hampshire; Steve Gerlach, an attorney with Bernstein Shur; and Dan Cronin, CEO of CGI Employee Benefits Group. They will explore various theories about why health care is so expensive in the Granite State and discuss strategies and opportunities for small businesses to control rising healthcare costs.
The New Hampshire Small Business Development Center will present the event’s final breakout session titled “Move Your Business Forward with e-Tools,” a preview of two of the center’s new e-courses. Hollis McGuire of the NH SBDC will discuss the course Financing a Business in NH, which covers the variety of financing options available to New Hampshire small business owners. Christine Halvorson of Halvorson New Media will outline the second course, Social Media for Business, which unravels the array of products and uses of social media for business.
Participating chambers and business associations include the Grantham Area, Greater Claremont, Greater Keene, Greater Peterborough, Greater Salem, Hampton Area, Hillsborough, Lakes Region, Lebanon Area, Lincoln-Woodstock, Merrimack, Plymouth Regional, Souhegan Valley, Waterville Valley Region and Wolfeboro Area chambers of commerce, the New Hampshire Association of Insurance Agents, and the New Hampshire High Technology Council.
The cost to attend Small Business Day at the State House is $15 per person and includes continental breakfast. To register, call 603-224-5388 x116 or visit nhbia.org.
Excellent customer service, delicious food and commitment to the community was all part of the recipe that led to the Common Man Family of Restaurants being named “Company of the Year” as part of the “2010 Commissioner’s Awards for Economic Development Excellence” recently announced at the 15th Annual New Hampshire Economic Development Summit held at Southern New Hampshire University.
Common Man Owner Alex Ray (center) receives the “Commissioner’s Company of the Year” award from New Hampshire Department of Resources & Economic Development Commissioner George Bald (l.) and New Hampshire Division of Economic Development Interim Director Roy Duddy (r.).
“With great attention directed toward creating the perfect customer experience and an unyielding desire to be a true community partner, the Common Man has become a New Hampshire treasure,” New Hampshire Department of Resources & Economic Development Commissioner George Bald said. “This is a company that has incorporated charitable giving and service to others as part of its corporate philosophy resulting in a world class business worthy of emulation.”
What started as a small Ashland restaurant with only enough room for 35 customers, the Common Man has grown to 17 restaurants, two inns, a company story and a movie house. However, Alex Ray and his staff are known just as much for their community service and charitable endeavors as they are for their award-winning eateries. In January 2010, upon learning of the devastation caused in Haiti after a massive earthquake, the Common Man Family of Restaurants put forth a “Common Effort for Haiti,” event, donating 50 percent of all food sales at 15 of its locations to disaster relief efforts.
Closer to home, the Common Man has supported countless non-profit agencies with funding, food donations and even the creation of Webster Place Center, a non-profit, residential treatment facility to assist those struggling to overcome alcohol and other drug abuse and dependence.
Other category winners are as follows:
“Commissioner’s Special Achievement Award” – Stay Work Play organization for their efforts in youth retention and letting young people know about all of the work and cultural amenities available in New Hampshire.
“Commissioner’s Exemplary Effort Award” – Jim Hinson, State Program Coordinator/Corporate Relations for New Hampshire Vocational Rehabilitation for his advocacy work in helping people with disabilities to secure employment.
“Commissioner’s Teamwork Award” – New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services for its efforts to streamline permitting processes for New Hampshire businesses.
“Commissioner’s Award for Media Excellence” – Business New Hampshire Magazine for fashioning a 26-year history of exemplary journalism.
The 15th Annual New Hampshire Economic Development Summit was sponsored by Public Service of New Hampshire and Sales Protocol with support from media sponsor New Hampshire Business Review.
It was a real pleasure for the New Hampshire Division of Economic Development to be a sponsor of last night’s New Hampshire Business Review “Business Excellence Awards” at Southern New Hampshire University. This was a great celebration of New Hampshire’s best and brightest companies and the good folks at NHBR were rewarded for their hard work with a packed room.
Special congrats are in order for “No Bull Business Blog” guest blogger Dr. Russ Ouellette of Sojourn Partners who was recognized with an award in the “Business Services” category. Way to go Russ!!
Here’s a recap of last night’s festivities:
New Hampshire Business Review honored 14 individuals at the 2010 Business Excellence Awards, which recognize the efforts and achievements owners of businesses with 100 employees or fewer.
More than 50 nominations in 13 categories were received, making the job of the 14 judges that much more difficult.
More than 300 people attended the Oct. 20 event, which was held at Southern New Hampshire University in Manchester.
Because of the extraordinary number of accomplished candidates, NHBR also named a tie in the Retail category and finalists in several other categories.
NHBR also announced two inductees into the Business Excellence Hall of Fame, which singles out people whose entire careers have been marked by a consistent and impressive record of accomplishments, both in their chosen fields, in their communities, and across the state and beyond. These honorees were selected by a separate panel of judges.
“Each of the businesspeople who receive these honors has a different story to tell,” said Sharron McCarthy, president of McLean Communications and publisher of NHBR. “But what they have in common is determination, industriousness and the ability to come up with innovative solutions that have allowed their businesses to survive and thrive, regardless of economic conditions, and a commitment to serving their communities.”
NHBR Editor Jeff Feingold
Jeff Feingold, editor of NHBR, said, “We would like to salute all of the nominees, the people who nominated them and the winners themselves for their contributions toward making New Hampshire a great place to do business.”
Emcee was Charlie Sherman, host of WGIR-AM’s morning news talk program.
A portion of the proceeds from the evening benefited Court Appointed Special Advocates, or CASA, which advocates for New Hampshire children in the state’s court system in cases of neglect and abuse.
The winners of the 2010 NHBR Business Excellences Awards were:
"Business Services" winner Dr. Russ Ouellette
• Excellence in Business Services — Russ Ouellette, Sojourn Partners LLC, Bedford
• Excellence in Construction — G. Hayden McLaughlin, Belknap Landscape Co., Inc., Gilford
• Excellence in Financial Services — Frank Teas, The Nashua Bank
• Excellence in Health Care — Joshua Siegal, M.D., Access Sports Medicine & Orthopaedics, Exeter
• Excellence in Hospitality — Carol Sheehan, The Red Arrow 24 Hr. Franchising Inc., Manchester
• Excellence in Media & Marketing — Linda Fanaras, Millennium Integrated Marketing Inc., Manchester
• Excellence in Nonprofits — Peter Kelleher, Partnership for Successful Living, Nashua
• Excellence in Professional Services — Jonathan Halle, Warrenstreet Architects, Concord
• Excellence in Real Estate — Quentin Keefe, Regency Mortgage Corp., Manchester
• Excellence in Retail (tie) — Susan Lozier Robert, Frederick’s Pastries, Amherst; Curt Jacques, West Lebanon Feed & Supply
• Excellence in Technology — Jason Alexander, Alexander Technology Group, Bedford
The 2010 NHBR Business Excellence Hall of Fame Inductees were:
• Alex Ray, founder, Common Man Family of Restaurants
• Lew Feldstein, former chairman, New Hampshire Charitable Foundation
The judges for the 2010 NHBR Business Excellence Awards were:
• Jennifer Boulanger, loan officer at Capital Region Economic Development Corp. in Concord and former executive director of the Belknap County Economic Development Council based in Laconia
• Robin Comstock, president and CEO, Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce
• Roy Duddy, interim director, New Hampshire Division of Economic Development
• Lou Guevin, former chairman, Junior Achievement of New Hampshire
• Julie Gustafson, president and CEO, Amoskeag Business Incubator, Manchester
• Richard Hanson, professor, accounting and taxation, Southern New Hampshire University, Manchester; executive director, Institute for Forensic Accounting and Fraud Examination, SNHU
• Mahboubul Hassan, professor, economics and finance, SNHU
• Lise Howson, vice president and business banking relationship manager, Citizens Bank
• Witmer Jones, New Hampshire district director, U.S. Small Business Administration
• Dave Juvet, senior vice president, Business & Industry Association of New Hampshire
• Patrick F. McDermott, economic and community development manager, Public Service Company of New Hampshire
• Tim Sink, president, Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce
• Ashley Smith, business editor, The Nashua Telegraph
• Chip Underhill, senior marketing manager, FairPoint Communications, Manchester
Sponsors of the event were FairPoint Communications, Laconia Savings Bank, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care of New England, Public Service of New Hampshire, J Maze Design, New Hampshire Division of Economic Development, Merrimack Street Volvo, WGIR-AM 610, New Hampshire Public Television and Southern New Hampshire University. — NEW HAMPSHIRE BUSINESS REVIEW
A recent study by the Center for Women’s Business Research shows that women now own 40 percent of private firms and that women-owned businesses generate about $3 trillion in revenue and employ 16 percent of the workforce, making them significant players in the national economy.
In order to help spur the creation of new women-owned businesses and supporting existing firms, the New Hampshire Division of Economic Development, Public Service of New Hampshire and Women Inspiring Women will host the New Hampshire Conference for Women on Friday, October 29, 2010 from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at SERESC Conference and Training Center, 29 Commerce Drive, Bedford, NH.
“This is a great opportunity to not only celebrate the many outstanding female business leaders in the state, but to also encourage budding female entrepreneurs to make their business dreams a reality in the Granite State,” said New Hampshire Division of Economic Development Interim Director Roy Duddy.
The day will include five educational sessions, exhibitors and networking and begins with the “Learn, Grow and Succeed” panel discussion featuring Cathy Schmidt, President of Citizens Bank NH, Beth Roberts – VP, Northern New England, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, Teresa Rosenberger – NH State President of Fairpoint Communications and Deb Titus – Managing Director of Dale Carnegie NH. It will be moderated by Leslie Sturgeon of Women Inspiring Women.
Other sessions include “Turning a Transition into a Triumph” with Nancy McCabe, “Developing Your Personal Power” with Lauran Star Raduazo, and “Make More Time for You: End the Overwhelm” with Rosemary Tator. The day concludes with “Girl Talk: An Inspirational Conversation with Sharron McCarthy,” who is President of McLean Communications and serves as the publisher of New Hampshire Magazine, New Hampshire Business Review, New Hampshire Home Magazine and Parenting NH Magazine.
As a result of a generous contribution from the NH Division of Economic Development and Public Service Company of New Hampshire, the registration price is only $25 and includes lunch. NH Business Review is serving as the media sponsor for the event. Reservations are needed and space is limited. Contact Women Inspiring Women at (603) 744-0400 or visit www.wiwnh.com for more information and to register.
According to Leslie Sturgeon, founder and president of Women Inspiring Women, “This will not only be a day of inspiration, education and transformation but a day filled with fun surprises, exhibitors, door prizes and great networking as well.”
Women Inspiring Women was founded in 2007 in the Lakes Region by Sturgeon to give women of all ages and backgrounds an opportunity to get together at educational, fun and inspirational events on a monthly basis. Since that time the organization has expanded to Concord, Nashua, Manchester, Bedford and the Seacoast, hosts bi-weekly events, and quickly become the state’s largest organization for women’s empowerment, personal development and networking.
Monadnock Paper Mills was green before green was cool. Back in 1973, the company installed its own wastewater purification facilities before federal regulations for the Mill were even established. That was just the beginning of a long, fruitful and enduring relationship between the Bennington-based paper manufacturer and the environment.
For its long history of environmental stewardship, Monadnock Paper Mills, Inc. was recently presented with the 2010 Greenerpalooza Award as part of the Greenerpalooza III festivities at the Meadowbrook U.S. Cellular Pavilion. Presented by the New Hampshire Business Resource Center and the Meadowbrook U.S. Cellular Pavilion in coordination with key sponsors Public Service of New Hampshire, Citizens Bank and media sponsor New Hampshire Business Review, Greenerpalooza is a celebration of energy efficiency efforts in the state of New Hampshire. With the backdrop of a Sheryl Crow concert, attendees were able to learn more about the latest energy efficient products and services offered in the Granite State.
(L. to R.) Citizens Bank President Cathleen Schmidt joins Monadnock Paper Mills CEO Richard Verney, Public Service of NH Economic and Community Development Manager Pat McDermott, NH Division of Economic Development Interim Director Roy Duddy, Meadowbrook U.S. Cellular Pavilion Marketing Director Chris Lockwood and NH Business Review Advertising Consultant Trudy Sutherland at Greenerpalooza III.
“Monadnock Paper Mills is a model of how businesses can both ‘go’ and ‘remain’ green,” said New Hampshire Division of Economic Development Interim Director Roy Duddy in making the announcement. “Long before there was a strong national push to become more energy efficient, Monadnock was demonstrating corporate citizenship of the highest order.”
Amongst the company’s many accomplishments, Monadnock generates electrical power with five turbines on four low-impact hydroelectric dams along the Contoocook River. Over the course of a year, the normal flow of the river allows the company to produce up to 50 percent of its electric needs, a clean, renewable energy option that reduces Monadnock’s overall dependence on fossil fuels.
In addition, four years ago, Monadnock replaced over 1,000 facility lighting systems from old fluorescent fixtures to new fluorescent fixtures with QHEL Supersaver electronic ballasts, reflector and supersaver lamps. They also replaced over 100 standard on/off switches and ceiling mounted fixtures with occupancy sensors. The quantity of energy saved is approximately 794,948 kWh per year, with an estimated annual savings of $115,124.
Perhaps most impressive, the mill’s solid waste, or short paper fiber extracted during the water purification process, is 100 percent reclaimed and used by New Hampshire’s local farms in applications such as compost and animal bedding as well as in the production of manufactured topsoil.
“There’s no doubt that this company is an example of how a business can not only be profitable, but also be environmentally aware and helpful to its neighbors,” Duddy added. “The Greenerpalooza Award is designed specifically for model companies like this.”
To learn more about Monadnock Paper Mills, visit www.mpm.com. To discover the latest happenings with Greenerpalooza, visit Greenerpalooza III Facebook page at www.facebook.com/greennh.
This year’s Greenerpalooza concert goers will be more stylish, coiffed and manicured than ever before…guaranteed. That’s thanks to Acorn Organic Salon who are donating their “green” hairstyling services to ensure that this eco-friendly show is the social event of the year.
A team of Acorn Organic stylists will be on hand at the August 12th Greenerpalooza III concert featuring Sheryl Crow and Colbie Caillat at the Meadowbrook U.S. Cellular Pavilion to provide a wide array of services including hair cuts, herbal foot soaks, updo/styles and chair massages. They will also hold a raffle for a “spacation” where the winner and three friends will receive manicures, pedicures, massages and deep conditioner treatments as well as dinner and drinks. Other raffle winners will receive gift certificates and product baskets. All proceeds will be donated to the National Wildlife Federation to help wildlife affected by the BP oil spill.
“We thought that it was only fitting to use our skills and talents to raise money and awareness at this premier green event,” said Laura Mackay, co-owner of Dover-based Acorn Organic Salon. “Our whole business model revolves around reducing toxicity, reusing materials, and recycling, so participating in Greenerpalooza is a natural for us.”
Now in its third year, Greenerpalooza is a celebration of energy efficiency/green efforts in the Granite State. Set against the backdrop of the Sheryl Crow/Colbie Caillat concert, there will be over 30 exhibitors displaying the latest in wind, solar and other alternative energy sources as well as “green” products and services. The event is sponsored by Public Service of New Hampshire and Citizens Bank in coordination with the New Hampshire Business Resource Center and the Meadowbrook U.S. Cellular Pavilion as well as media sponsor New Hampshire Business Review.
Acorn, a member of the Green Alliance Co-op, has long supported sustainable business practices, utilizing all organic products in their salon, reusing bags, performing online booking instead of utilizing paper appointment books and shipping collected hair to be woven into oil spill hair mats as part of the Matter of Trust initiative.
“This is a business that is 100 percent dedicated to doing the right thing in every aspect of their operations,” said New Hampshire Division of Economic Development Communications & Legislative Director Steve Boucher. “From the products they use to their charitable endeavors in the community, Acorn is a company that is setting an example worthy of emulation in the Granite State.”
At Greenerpalooza, Acorn stylists will be offering a variety of services at reduced cost in order to maximize contributions to the National Wildlife Federation.
“Greenerpalooza is a great way for the New Hampshire business community to send a strong message that going green and protecting the environment is within everyone’s grasp,” said Acorn co-owner Alle Degan. “There are little things that each one of us every day can do to make the small differences that really add up.”
Tickets to the Sheryl Crow and Colbie Caillat concert, which include entry into the eco-village, are available online at www.meadowbrook.net. To learn more about the latest happenings with Greenerpalooza, visit the newly created Greenerpalooza III Facebook page at www.facebook.com/greennh. To learn more about Acorn Organic Salon, visit www.acornorganicsalon.com.
Grammy Award-winning Sheryl Crow issued a statement today regarding her participation in this year’s Greenerpalooza III event taking place at the Meadowbrook U.S. Cellular Pavilion in Gilford on August 12th.
“Being environmentally conscious has always been important to me, I am happy to be partnering with organizations like Reverb and the Meadowbrook U.S. Cellular Pavilion on an event like Greenerpalooza. Utilizing concerts as a background for environmental education is a great way to reduce the huge carbon footprints that shows can have.”
Greenerpalooza is a celebration of energy efficiency/green efforts in the Granite State. Set against the backdrop of a Sheryl Crow/Colbie Caillat concert, there will be over 30 exhibitors displaying the latest in wind, solar and other alternative energy sources as well as “green” products and services. The event is sponsored by Public Service of New Hampshire and Citizens Bank in coordination with the New Hampshire Business Resource Center and the Meadowbrook U.S. Cellular Pavilion as well as media sponsor New Hampshire Business Review.
Now here’s a great twist on next week’s event – those who sign up for our Greenerpalooza Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/GreenNH) will be automatically entered into a drawing for a pair of tickets to next Thursday’s show. The deadline to sign up is Friday at noon and we will notify the winner shortly thereafter. If you’ve already signed up, you’re automatically entered!!
– Steve Boucher, Communications & Legislative Director
Romance, recycling and a healthy dose of frontier justice – that’s what’s on tap in the newest “Earth friendly” entries on No Bull TV.
For those of you who’ve forgotten (which is understandable as we haven’t been posting a ton of videos lately in advance of our latest extravagonzos), No Bull TV is the New Hampshire Division of Economic Development’s YouTube station featuring vids on Greenerpalooza, the WMUR Project Economy Job Fair and Career Expo, the Jericho ATV Park and more.
This year, as previously referenced on the No Bull Business Blog, we have partnered with the Meadowbrook U.S. Cellular Pavilion, Citizens Bank, Public Service of NH, Epiphanies Inc., New Hampshire Business Review and The Mountain to not only present Greenerpalooza III on August 12th, but to unveil the Granite Green Team, very much in evidence at select Meadowbrook concerts.
The Granite Green Team, a squad of eco-volunteers clad in very cool t-shirts designed by our friends at The Mountain, hands out seed cards with recycling and energy efficiency information on them at concerts throughout the Meadowbrook season. Located on the card is information that can also be used to sponsor the planting of a tree, a great way to build sustainability and encourage green practices.
To ensure that concert goers get the message about the benefits of recycling and observe eco-friendliness while visiting Meadowbrook, the Green Team pulled together a series of Public Service Announcements that make an important point while being entertaining at the same time.
In the following clips, Allen Voivod of Epiphanies Inc. fame, plays our resident rocker while PSNH Economic & Community Development Manager Pat McDermott, Meadowbrook U.S. Cellular Pavilion Marketing Director and I comprise the green jumpsuit stylin’ Granite Green Team. In the “Romance and Recycling” clip, Dan Freund of Kinney Hill (the video production team that did such a great job on this shoot) and Meadowbrook’s Kate Lilly play the couple who find love through recycling.
Special thanks to Emma Womack, Vice President of Corporate Development at Meadowbrook, for arranging the shoot and ensuring that these PSAs will run on the venue’s video wall throughout the 2010 season. Never thought that my buddies and I would be sharing the stage with Sugarland, Heart, Cheap Trick and the Zac Brown Band!!
– Steve Boucher, Communications & Legislative Director
The whole point of our “We’ll Drop the Gloves for You” shoot was to get across a couple of basic facts of life: 1. That the New Hampshire Division of Economic Development will do almost anything to ensure that local business owners get the answers and assistance they need and 2. That our blog isn’t “business as usual” i.e. that it has a viewpoint and a unique approach to providing information that business owners need to have.
That’s the philosophy of award-winning human services CEO and local author Paul Boynton who is working with a team of State and private sector partners to help unemployed New Hampshire citizens access the tools and resources they need to return to the workforce.
The annual small business event, held in partnership with the New Hampshire Small Business Development Center (NH SBDC), New Hampshire Division of Economic Development, and local and regional chambers of commerce and business associations, is meant to engage small business owners and managers in public policy discussion and debate, as well as provide them with practical and relevant information to help manage and grow their business. Small Business Day is sponsored by Public Service of New Hampshire, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Hampshire, and media sponsor New Hampshire Business Review.
The day will include five educational sessions, exhibitors and networking and begins with the “Learn, Grow and Succeed” panel discussion featuring Cathy Schmidt, President of Citizens Bank NH, Beth Roberts – VP, Northern New England, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, Teresa Rosenberger – NH State President of Fairpoint Communications and Deb Titus – Managing Director of Dale Carnegie NH. It will be moderated by Leslie Sturgeon of Women Inspiring Women.
A team of Acorn Organic stylists will be on hand at the August 12th Greenerpalooza III concert featuring Sheryl Crow and Colbie Caillat at the Meadowbrook U.S. Cellular Pavilion to provide a wide array of services including hair cuts, herbal foot soaks, updo/styles and chair massages. They will also hold a raffle for a “spacation” where the winner and three friends will receive manicures, pedicures, massages and deep conditioner treatments as well as dinner and drinks. Other raffle winners will receive gift certificates and product baskets. All proceeds will be donated to the National Wildlife Federation to help wildlife affected by the BP oil spill.
“This is a business that is 100 percent dedicated to doing the right thing in every aspect of their operations,” said New Hampshire Division of Economic Development Communications & Legislative Director Steve Boucher. “From the products they use to their charitable endeavors in the community, Acorn is a company that is setting an example worthy of emulation in the Granite State.”
“Being environmentally conscious has always been important to me, I am happy to be partnering with organizations like Reverb and the Meadowbrook U.S. Cellular Pavilion on an event like Greenerpalooza. Utilizing concerts as a background for environmental education is a great way to reduce the huge carbon footprints that shows can have.”