The Franklin County Chamber of Commerce has a fresh new logo! In April, we debuted the redesign of our Franklin County tourism brand, and now we're thrilled to share our new Franklin County Chamber of Commerce logo!
As the county's Regional Tourism Council and your Chamber of Commerce, our charge is to build community and connect the dots for Franklin County businesses and visitors. Our new logo serves as a visual reminder that our Chamber does just that for ALL 26 of our Franklin County communities.
Our service area is big, but so is our vision. We have so much to accomplish, and we are extremely grateful to have earned your support as partners in that work.
We hope you like our new look and the direction we're headed. It's full speed ahead for the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce.
Franklin County Chamber to host three Grow with Google Virtual Classes.
We are pleased to announce that we are teaming up with the Grow with Google program and dedicated trainer, Bryan Caplan, to provide 3 free small business marketing classes that will help you grow your business or organization online.
Register for the events here:
Make Better Decisions with Analytics
Wednesday, July 20th, 12:00 PM
Pre-register here.
Sell Online with eCommerce Tools
Wednesday August 17th, 12:00 PM
Pre-register here.
Use YouTube to Grow Your Business
Thursday, September 22nd, 12:00 PM
Pre-register here.
These classes are scheduled for an hour, with plenty of time for questions at the end. Whether you’re thinking about starting a business, finding ways to grow your business, or want to learn something new, all are welcome, and it’s free to attend.
What is Grow with Google?
‘Grow with Google’ draws on Google’s 20-year history of building products, platforms, and services that help people and businesses grow. Through this initiative, we aim to help everyone across America – those who make up the workforce of today and those who will drive the workforce of tomorrow – access the best of Google’s training and tools to grow their skills, careers, and businesses.
For more information, please visit http://www.google.com/grow.
Who is Bryan Caplan?
Bryan Caplan will be your professional trainer for this Grow with Google class. Bryan is all about helping you build a bigger, better business. A national speaker for Constant Contact and Grow with Google, award-winning CEO of Bryan Caplan Marketing and host of the Bigger Better Biz channel on YouTube, Bryan works with entrepreneurs around the world, teaching and coaching on digital marketing topics to help small businesses grow and succeed.
About Franklin County Chamber of Commerce
Franklin County Chamber of Commerce is a Regional Tourism Council and membership organization dedicated to strengthening and sustaining economic and civic vitality in our region.
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May 24, 2022
DEERFIELD: The Franklin County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors has named Jessye Deane its next Executive Director.
Deane, a lifelong Franklin County resident and Bernardston native, has served on the Franklin County Chamber Board of Directors since 2019. She will assume the role currently held by Diana Szynal, who plans to take over as President of the Springfield Regional Chamber in July.
"The Board is thrilled to have Jessye transition into this role at the Chamber. Her ability to connect with the community and build business relationships is a tremendous asset for Franklin County and our membership," said Shelby Snow Hasanbasic, Chair of the Chamber's Board of Directors. "Jessye's dynamic skillset will lead the Chamber into great success as we continue to adapt to deliver value to members in a changing economic landscape. Her vision for refining and building on the Chamber's role in Franklin County is exciting, and we believe her expertise in community collaboration will excel successful partnerships for the greater good of our members, our community, and our visitors."
As an entrepreneur with over a decade of experience in volunteer, community, and nonprofit service, Deane has an accomplished background in business, marketing, and community building, which Hasanbasic says will serve her well in this position.
Deane currently serves as the Director of Communications & Development for antipoverty agency Community Action Pioneer Valley. During her 12 years at Community Action, the $36 million dollar nonprofit has seen a 1,645.7% increase in private funding under her leadership.
Simultaneously, Jessye and her husband Danny also own and operate two award-winning fitness studios, F45 Training Hampshire Meadows in Hadley and F45 Training Riverdale in West Springfield, where Deane has spearheaded the businesses’ community impact program, benefitting more than 86 local nonprofits with nearly $100,000 in donations and in-kind services.
“My passion has always been strengthening community through partnerships and creative collaboration, and I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to continue that work and support business and tourism in the county I love,” said Deane. “I understand the economic challenges Franklin County faces, and I am looking forward to working with our legislators to advocate on behalf of all those who work, live, and vacation in Franklin County.”
In 2019, Jessye was awarded the Chamber MVP Award for her work as an Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce Ambassador. The Franklin County Chamber of Commerce named Deane its first-ever Young Professional of the Year in 2020, and she was recognized as a member of BusinessWest’s 40 Under Forty 2021 class.
“As someone who’s engaged with numerous Chambers up and down the Valley as a business owner and as a nonprofit leader, I bring a widespread, community-minded perspective to this role. I am excited to add to the already-impressive Franklin County Chamber team and its Board of Directors as we launch a strategic planning process to refine the Chamber’s priorities both as a business collective and as a Regional Tourism Council,” says Deane, who presented the Board of Directors with a 14-page strategic planning proposal during the screening process.
“Having Jessye as the next Executive Director will mean the smoothest transition possible,” said Szynal, “and having such a well-qualified candidate rise from our Board of Directors is just incredible. Jessye is a wonder woman, the Chamber will be in excellent hands,” she added.
Deane and Szynal have begun planning what both say will be a smooth transition.
April 19, 2022
The Franklin County Chamber Board of Directors is seeking a creative, experienced, and dynamic individual to become the next Executive Director for the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce and Franklin County Regional Tourism Council.
The Executive Director is responsible for all programs and activities of the Chamber; being a leader in economic development; establishing and building relationships with business and industry leaders; and leading efforts to market the region's tourism assets.
The successful candidate will possess strong administrative, interpersonal and organizational skills, fundraising and marketing experience, and political acuity; a Bachelor's degree; and 3-5 years of demonstrated successful experience in planning, development and fundraising. Salary will be commensurate with experience. Full benefits package. Position is full time.
Please send resume, cover letter and salary requirements to:
Executive Director Search
Franklin County Chamber of Commerce
PO Box 6, Deerfield, MA 01342-006
or to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by April 29, 2022.
We are getting the new Visitors Information Center in Historic Deerfield ready to open at the end of April. Do you love Franklin County and want to share it with visitors? See below for more details.
VISITOR INFORMATION CENTER
VOLUNTEER JOB DESCRIPTION
DESCRIPTION
The Visitor Information Center Volunteer will be an integral member of the Franklin County Regional Tourism Council’s team by being a first point of contact for visitors to the area and offering valuable information on what the region has to offer. In this position, volunteers will provide accurate information on area resources, directions, accommodations, restaurants, and special events.
The Franklin County Visitor Center is located in the heart of Historic Deerfield at 79 Old Main Street and serves 26 Towns in Franklin County and also carries official state tourism information as well as booklets from other Regional Tourism Councils across the state.
DUTIES
• Meet and greet visitors
• Answer visitor questions related to Franklin County resources, attractions, events, accommodations, and other related topics.
• Use brochures/maps/handouts or google to answer questions about the area
• Request visitors sing up for our mailing list and include email address and city and state
• Assist in restocking brochure shelves and keep space tidy and clean
• Work cash register for souvenir purchases
• Assist in opening and closing Visitor Center
• Direct visitors to bathrooms
QUALIFICATIONS
• Be friendly, outgoing, and patient
• Have a welcoming and professional demeanor and appearance
• Have knowledge of Franklin County and be able and willing to learn about new resources and attractions
• Enjoys working with the public
• Excellent customer service
• Works well both as a team and independently
SKILLS
• General assistance
• Able to communicate information
• Working with people
The Visitor Center will be open Saturday and Sunday 10am – 4:30pm and Monday – Friday 8:30 - 4:30. Volunteer shifts most needed Fridays - Sundays.
Shifts will be from 10am - 1pm and 1pm – 5pm. Minimum committment of one shift per month.
Please direct interest to Lisa Davol - email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 413-773-5463
VisitFranklinCountyMA.org
You are part of a select group of people who have spent time in Franklin County, MA and care about the area—and we’d love your input! If you have a moment to spare, would you be willing to answer a few questions? We’d greatly appreciate your time!
The ArtsHub Virtual Summit: How to Recover and Thrive welcomes emerging and established artists, performers, arts managers, and those in creative fields to join in a week-long series of virtual interactive workshops, training, and networking sessions, January 10-14, 2022. The ArtsHub Virtual Summit, designed to provide tools to help those working in creative fields recover from the disruption created by the pandemic and learn how to position their business to thrive as the economy recovers, will have daily sessions with guest speakers at 10AM, 12 Noon, and 6PM ET .
Read more: ArtsHub Virtual Summit: “How To Recover and Thrive”
We are grateful to Senator Jo Comerford for her efforts to secure COVID relief funds for Franklin County and look forward to distributing them among various businesses throughout the County. Read more here.
The Franklin County Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to keeping our local dollars local and to support that mission, we are proud to announce the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce Gift Card program.
Head to Franklin County and leave life behind for the afternoon or weekend. Take to the rolling hills, lush river valleys, and charming towns of western Massachusetts to unwind. Here are eight transcendent views to start you off. Read more
With Franklin County’s rural landscape featuring more than 75 percent of its acreage in forest and open land, it is no surprise that winter recreation abounds. Whether your destination is a resort or multi-activity facility or a quiet pond, the most rural county in Massachusetts is sure to please. From downhill and cross-country skiing to snowshoeing and snowmobiling, we’ve got your winter adventures covered. Bring your sports equipment and hit one of the many state forest trails, or travel light and check out the full-service options at Berkshire East or Northfield Mountain. Make it a weekend and stay at a cozy inn or rustic cabin and dine out for delicious meals of locally sourced foods and be sure to sample local micro brews, wine, or spirits. Read more