Since 1992
Print and digital marketing
“Make it, make things, make products, make your life here, make your dreams come true here,” said Beckie Conrad, executive director of the Lewiston-Auburn Metro Chamber of Commerce on the first episode of #ProvenProfitable Podcast, Season 2.
Conrad participated in the podcast — hosted by Justin Starbird and Matty Boutwell — to discuss the possibilities of building a business and building a life in the Lewiston/Auburn region, the inspiration for a recently-launched promotional campaign.
The L/A Chamber of Commerce is playing an essential role in growing the Maine economy. Today more than ever, Conrad 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.
Lewiston/Auburn Metro Area Chamber of Commerce is serving as a Dirigo Partner for the upcoming Maine Business Expo Wednesday, Nov. 14, at the Holiday Inn by the Bay in Portland; 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 people, 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 L/A 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 need 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 the region have both options to begin a career as well as the appeal to start a family when graduates accept their first job.
Recently, the L/A Chamber partnered with WGME to showcase its 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 L/A Metro area, individuals and their families can make memories here and make their lives here.
Dianna Pozdniakov serves as a great example of how individuals play a prominent role in the L/A community. Pozdniakov owns Sofia Foma, relocating to Lewiston from New York. She has renovated a building on Lisbon Street and opened her design studio for high-end pocketbooks here. Pozdniakov is a chamber member and her story is important to share, as she 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 be specifically about workforce and business development. At this event, area chambers will come together and form a statewide dialogue around key issues impacting the economy at the moment. Through the gathering, the L/A chamber hopes to reinforce the idea 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 who have done it, and apply those templates and roadmaps to different communities,” said Starbird.
The Lewiston/Auburn Metro Chamber’s strategic planning process is underway, programs are launching, and the structure is changing to focus on executing projects.
