Ashland – The Ashland Business Association (ABA) steering committee recently announced plans to kick off 2013 with creative ways to help local businesses.
According to ABA officer and Sovereign Bank branch manager John Kirwan, “The ABA is planning to continue to serve the town of Ashland as it has done for many years, by helping the Ashland Emergency Fund/Food Pantry and awarding scholarships to Ashland high school students, but it will also look for better ways to attract, sustain and grow businesses. With new energy and ideas, the ABA is striving to be more interactive.”
The ABA recently launched a Facebook page, www.facebook.com/AshlandBusinessAssociation, and a student internship program. Two Ashland high school students are working with the ABA to expand communication with Ashland businesses and residents. The ABA also maintains the go-to resource for finding Ashland businesses, www.AshlandFirst.com.
The ABA holds member meetings every other month for networking and learning opportunities. The Tuesday, Feb. 5 meeting at the Ashland Library Community Room, 66 Front St., plans some business fun. The program will feature an interactive “chat” entitled “Become the Vibrant, Fear-Less Self Your Clients (And You) Want To Be Around,” by skilled workshop leader Giulietta “Julie” Nardone, owner of Fearless Design.
The program will also include a presentation from the Ashland Farmers” Market on how local businesses can take advantage of the “make it or grow it” market. AFM attracts an average of 600 customers each Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., June through October, at its downtown location on the grass diagonally across from the library.
The Feb. 5 program starts with early networking from 6:30 to 7 p.m., followed by the meeting from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Refreshments are provided by the ABA.
ABA meetings are free of charge, and open to all business owners, executives, and managers with a business, office or residence in Ashland. Businesses are encouraged to join the ABA in order to take full advantage of the programs and business opportunities.
To join or renew a membership, sign up at www.AshlandFirst.com.
