Committees
Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce Committees
Please consider joining a committee. It’s a great way to promote your business and meet new people. Call Joan Temkin at 253-0700 for more information about joining a committee.
Amherst Future
Chair - Niels la Cour, UMass Amherst
Amherst Future serves as an advocacy group formed to foster consensus around development projects worthy of our community while ensuring that they meet the intent of the Town of Amherst's Master Planning Document. Believing that good planning always trumps bad argument, Amherst Future seeks to energize the town's commercial tax base by developing its commercial core while preserving its open space and recreation areas.
Ambassadors Committee
Chair – Carmen Bassett, Greenfield Savings Bank. 413-775-8111
This committee is our new business welcome wagon! Members reach out to new and existing members to learn what they are looking for from Chamber membership. The group welcomes new members and hand-delivers New Member packets. Meets monthly. This is a great opportunity to meet new businesses and introduce your business, while serving the Chamber's mission to promote the business community!
Annual Dinner
Chair – April Williams, J.F. Conlon and Associates. 413-549-5267
The Annual Dinner committee plans the Chamber's annual A+ Awards dinner. Planning usually begins in November or December for dinner in early fall. Meets monthly November – March, then bi-weekly or weekly until event. One wrap-up meeting is held after the event. The A+ Awards are the largest networking event of its kind in Hampshire County, bringing nearly 300 people together each year to celebrate some of the best and brightest people in the Amherst area. Get involved in this community/business event, while promoting your business and your role, and have a great time planning the biggest party of the year!
Golf Tournament
Chair – Jim Conlon, J.F. Conlon and Associates. 413-549-5267
The Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce Golf Tournament is one of the area's best loved tournaments. Golfers and those with golf tournament experience are particularly appreciated, but golf experience is not required to help with this venture. Each year, over 120 golfers come out to support the Chamber and its contribution, along with Cooley Dickinson Hospital, of 2 scholarships to the Amherst Regional High School Business program.
Government Affairs
Contact – Cinda Jones, W.D. Cowls. 413-549-1403
One of the Chamber's most important committees. Reviews Town Meeting warrants, ballot issues, etc., and makes recommendations for Chamber endorsement. Meets on an as needed basis to address any issues, laws and mandates that affect Amherst and local commerce. This committee gives you the opportunity to share your views, voice your opinion and help make a difference for local businesses in the Amherst area. Meets on an ad hoc basis.
Merry Maple
Contact – Tammy-Lynn Chace, AACC. 253-0700
This committee of holiday elves. Plans the Annual Holiday Lighting of downtown and the Merry Maple celebration on 1st Friday in December. Meets from September through the event. This festive committee is looking for creative volunteers to help make Amherst's downtown festive during the holiday season.
Program
Youssef Fadel, NEPM. 413-237-4907
This committee helps plan Breakfast and After5 networking programs, recruiting speakers, sponsors and hosts. One of the Chambers most active and exciting committees, planning the yearly legislative breakfast, a new margarita tasting, and much, much more. There's no better way to get to know your peers and have fun at the same time!
Promotion
Coordinator – Joan Temkin, AACC. 413-253-0700
This committee is helping make the Amherst Area A Perfect Place! With oversight of all Chamber publications, this committee also helps develop the Chamber “brand.” With meetings approximately every six weeks, this committee has been responsible for developing the Amherst Area Visitor’s Guide, the Relocation Guide, and the A+ campaign.
Taste of Amherst
Chair – John Thibbits, 413-253-0700
Is there anything better than food, fun, music, and sun? No? Then the Taste of Amherst committee is for you! Held every June, the committee meets monthly starting in December and more frequently until the event to discuss changes, enhancements and upgrades to the event. This is a dynamic and regionally popular event with over 20,000 visitors each year. This is an excellent opportunity to get involved in the area's premier community/business event, while promoting your business.
