MESSAGE FROM THE CHAMBER: MC 3 is an alliance of seven chambers of commerce (Southern Midcoast Maine Chamber is one) that markets the Mid-coast as a region, coordinating with and lending power and breadth to each chamber’s individual efforts. The council produces materials for tourism kiosks and travel shows, educates the Maine Office of Tourism on major activities and events in the region, oversees a website and social media feeds to promote visitors to the region, plans and places advertising campaigns to increase visitation of our wonderful region on behalf of all members of MC 3.

All tourism-related businesses are encouraged to list information about their business and events on the MC 3 site (mainesmidcoast.com), which in turn also lists your business on the Office of Tourism site, VisitMaine.com. Go to http://maine.bvk.geoconsensus.com/logi n/ and follow the directions to add, update, and manage your content.

VisitMaine.com is a powerful resource used when visitors are planning their trips to Maine. Your listing will contribute to making the Southern Midcoast Maine Chamber region and the Mid-coast region of Maine a destination. And as an added bonus your listing will be part of the MidCoast Chamber Council’s (MC 3) website Mainesmidcoast.com (go to that website and click on “Partner login” on the bottom of the homepage, you’ll get to the Visit Maine site too).

MC 3’s website is a portal that connects our region’s brand with the public. MC 3 is interested in three target demographics: Genuine Originals, Balanced Achievers, and Social Sophisticates, according to the MOT Strategic Plan and their research. Do any of these definitions fit with your target customer?

Genuine Originals: On vacation they follow their inner compass, pursue outdoor recreation and spending time to be in tune with nature. They are interested in art, history and cultural activates. They try new vacation destinations. They desire authentic trips.

Balanced Achievers: They are people who will check off their “must see and do” list. They enjoy things and places off the beaten path, nature and cultural activities. They want to change their state of mind, be in the moment. They tend to be big spenders while on vacation.

Social Sophisticates are interested in luxury and flawless service. They make it a priority to travel every year and prefer romantic, popular destinations with a “faraway” feeling. On vacation they want to shed responsibilities and find serenity. They are not particularly curious about cultural activities, exploration or adventure. And they are not careful about money.

Don’t delay, go to Mainesmidcoast.com to list your tourism-related business now.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

— A business is a business and must be managed and operated as one. Come learn about all that is involved for the Brunswick Sewer District’s future development of a district-wide strategic plan at the next Small Business Success seminar. It is today, Aug. 19, noon to 1 p.m., at the Topsham Public Library, 25 Foreside Road. Networking and light refreshments are part of this no charge seminar.

— The next Chamber After Hours is hosted by Maine Woolens at its Freeport store, located at 124 Main St. Come anytime between 5-7 p.m. for the best regional networking experience. SMMC members are energetic, friendly and this event is a one way to meet a lot of business people and follow up for future business opportunities.

OUR MEMBERS: We welcome to SMMC Neokraft Signs, based in Lewiston. It is a commercial sign manufacturer providing service and installation. Check out the chamber’s website at www.midcoastmaine.com to find a service or product you are looking for.

SMMC proudly serves 670 businesses and organizations in the following communities: Arrowsic, Bath, Bowdoin, Bowdoinham, Brunswick, Dresden, Edgecomb, Georgetown, Harpswell, Phippsburg, Richmond, Topsham, West Bath, Westport Island, Wiscasset and Woolwich. Find them all on our website at wwwmidcoastmaine.com.