The B2B is all about celebrating the business community of central Maine, and the generous and dedicated sponsors of this biggest business-related event of the year typify the kind of community commitment that has enabled the L-A area to withstand the slings and arrows of economic adversity through the generations and to emerge as one of the strongest 21st-century economies in Maine.
That the sponsors are all familiar names, often supportive of major social, arts, sports, business events, festivals and celebrations of all kinds throughout central Maine should surprise no one. These are businesses that care about community and who recognize that commitment to community is good business, too.
The Platinum Sponsors of B2B-2014, Building for the Future, are Gleason Media Services and the Sun Journal, both long-term supporters of the trade show. Gleason Media operates six stations throughout Western and Central Maine and frequently put their media reach to work on behalf of their communities’ local events and causes. Not only is the Sun Journal an award-winning news organization, they are deeply committed to the communities they serve and are a valued partner in many local efforts.
This year’s Prime Sponsors are varied. Founded over 145 years ago with a commitment to personal values, community values and financial values that have never faltered, Norway Savings Bank is an outstanding community bank, known for its financial strength, exceptional customer service and contribution to its communities.
Well known as an innovative communications company that connects people and businesses with the most advanced technology available on the nation’s largest and most reliable network, Verizon Wireless also take the time to make strong connections to the local community.
For more than four decades, WGME News 13 has been a news leader committed to providing the highest-quality news and information programming in the market. Their mission is to make an outstanding and ongoing contribution to the communities they serve; striving to exceed the expectations of their audiences, stakeholders, and customers with local news, information, and programming.
Since 1996, Uncle Andy’s Digest has been providing highly effective print advertising to Central Maine businesses. The fond sense of community found in Uncle Andy’s Digest promotes thinking local, staying local, and buying local. The Androscoggin Bank Colisee, the venue for the B2B and a valued partner, hosts world-class events from sporting events and concerts, to monster truck shows, rodeos, trade shows and home and garden expos.
The support of the Androscoggin County Chamber of Commerce, Maine’s second largest and one of the more active chambers, is an appreciated constant at this annual event. The Chamber exists to promote a positive business environment that contributes to the community and economic vitality of the Androscoggin County region.
The B2B’s media sponsors are also an integral part of the B2B mix. Binnie Media Group (Frank 105.5FM/107.5FM, The Wolf 99.9FM/99.3FM, NewsCenter 6 on the Radio, Rock 106.3FM, and WBACH 96.9FM/106.9FM) reaches audiences far and wide on behalf of the B2B, as does Mainebiz, a multimedia company providing business news, information and analysis for business owners and Maine executives.
The Major Sponsor list includes a number of equally committed financial institutions that care deeply about the community and enhancing their connection to it. Androscoggin Bank is the namesake of the Colisee, host venue for the event. Bangor Savings Bank has been expanding its footprint in the L-A community in recent years, as have both Mechanics Savings Bank and Northeast Bank. Community Credit Union has been part of the B2B for years, as well. It’s fair to say that no significant public events take place in the L-A area without the participation of these important local resources. And they all agree that while the visibility and recognition afforded by sponsorship opportunities is a useful element of their marketing strategies, the more compelling motivation is commitment to the community and to the success of each of the activities and organizations they support.
The Auburn Business Development Association and Lewiston Development Corp., both subsidiaries of LAEGC and comprised of volunteer boards of directors, including many of the most prominent business leaders in the area, are perennial major sponsors of the tradeshow. The B2B is in large part a fulfillment of their respective missions, and this event provides a unique opportunity for those entities to share with the larger community the kind of work they do on behalf of L-A business all year long.
Central Maine Medical Center is among the most efficient and safest medical facilities in the entire country, and is an anchor of the healthcare economy of L-A, as well as the provider of first resort to a large swath of central Maine. CMMC combines state-of-the-art medical technologies with the high-touch values of compassion, dignity and respect for individual patients and circumstances, and they understand that healthy people need and deserve healthy communities.
The Hilton Garden Inn has been a vital part of the resurgence of the downtown Auburn and Lewiston communities. The first of a series of badly needed upscale hotels in the community, the facility offers prime gathering space directly on the bank of the Androscoggin, and it helps fill the need for temporary living space for thousands of people visiting L-A for business, recreation and for all the festivals and special events that help make life along the Androscoggin so special.
With 100+ years of combined telecommunications service, FairPoint Communications is the largest network in northern New England. FairPoint employees are neighbors and volunteers in our local communities.
The Finance Authority of Maine was established as Maine’s business finance agency in 1983 and charged with supporting the start-up, expansion and growth plans of Maine’s business community, and they have played an important role with many Androscoggin County businesses.
Special thanks to our sponsors
Platinum
Gleason Media Services
Sun Journal
Gold Sponsors
City of Auburn
City of Lewiston
Media Sponsors
Binnie Media Group – Frank 105.5FM/107.5 FM, The Wolf 99.9FM/99.3FM, NewsCenter 6 on the Radio, Rock 106.3 FM, and WBACH 96.9FM/106.9FM)
Mainebiz
Prime Sponsors
Androscoggin Bank Colisee
Androscoggin County Chamber of Commerce
LA It’s Happening Here!
Lewiston-Auburn Economic Growth Council
Norway Savings Bank
Uncle Andy’s Digest
Verizon Wireless
WGME-13
Major Sponsors
Androscoggin Bank
Auburn Business Development Corporation
Bangor Savings Bank
Central Maine Medical Center
Community Credit Union
FairPoint Communications
Finance Authority of Maine
Hilton Garden Inn Auburn Riverwatch
Lewiston Development Corporation
Mechanics Savings Bank
Northeast Bank
Food Sponsors
Buffalo Wild Wings
Pink D’s
Labadie’s Bakery
Mockin Bird
The Garden Grille & Bar at the Hilton Garden Inn Auburn
Additional thanks
The Lewiston-Auburn Economic Growth Council thanks the following individuals and their organizations for their support:
Androscoggin Valley Council of Governments
City of Auburn
City of Lewiston
Richard Stroud, T.H. Creations
Denise Scammon, Sun Journal
David Iannotti, Advanced Wiring
Androscoggin Bank Colisee Staff
Mike Cain, Androscoggin Bank Colisee
Lewiston Fire Department
Jeff Soifer, Jeff Soifer Illustration & Design
Maureen Aube, Androscoggin County Chamber of Commerce
Androscoggin County Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors
Sheri Verville, Sun Journal
Chip Morrison, Androscoggin County Chamber
Danika LaMontagne, Androscoggin Bank Colisee
Bonnie McHugh, Gleason Media
Lincoln Jeffers, City of Lewiston
Alan Manoian, City of Auburn
Nick Knowlton, Emcee
Franco-American Veterans Post 31 Color Guard
Ian Barclay, Skin Divers Paradise & Bagpiper
Freddi Collins
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