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CHAMBER HOLDING FORUM FOR BUSINESSES TO NETWORK

The Northeast Kingdom Chamber of Commerce is offering a monthly forum that encourages local businesses to network with each other. The NEK Chamber, based out of St. Johnsbury, has 440 members throughout the tri-county area.

The networking idea came from NEK Chamber member Robert Ziegler, who noted the chamber holds a variety of business events, but few that allow companies to network amongst themselves. Ziegler is the owner of New England Alarm Technology and an independent associate for Pre-Paid Legal Services. The sessions will be called "Business For Business."

"The chamber that my sister belongs to does a version of these forums, and they have been extremely successful," said Ziegler. "These sessions will allow local businesses - chamber members and prospective members alike - to
come and discuss what their businesses do. We hope this will result in more businesses using each other for needed services."

The Business For Business forums are always held the last Friday of each month, at 8 a.m., at Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital, Business & Conference Center, Hospital Hill, St. Johnsbury. There will be a small fee for the session, and a light breakfast will be offered. Businesses are urged to bring and distribute their promotional materials.

Chamber Director Darcie McCann will update the group for a couple minutes every month on chamber initiatives, and the remainder of the meeting will be focused on business owners being allowed to speak on their services. The

"Some of our best initiatives come from chamber members, and this is a case in point," said Barb Olden, chamber president. "This not only offers our existing members an exciting opportunity to market their businesses, but also encourages non-members to see what the chamber and its members do."

WES WARD AUTO REPAIR RECEIVES PRESTIGIOUS AAA AWARD

Wes Ward Auto Repair was recently ranked first in the state for independent shops by AAA for the second time since 2004. The business, located on Portland Street in St. Johnsbury, received the highest marks in Vermont in 2006 in the following areas: overall satisfaction, satisfaction with repairs, courtesy and efficiency of personnel, car ready when promised and would return for future repairs.

Wes Ward received a rare 100-percent satisfaction rating in all categories, with AAA noting the shop’s "concern for excellent service to the motoring public during 2006." The determinations are made from AAA evaluation cards sent to Wes Ward customers last year. The local business is expected to officially receive its Vermont’s Facility of the Year award from AAA later this spring.

The business, which became AAA approved in 2003, is the only AAA-approved independent auto repair shop in St. Johnsbury. Wes Ward handles just about every type of car work - including inspections, tires, mufflers, service, electronic work, repairs and alignments - except for body work.

The shop also handles heavy-duty trucks, buses, motorhomes and vehicles up to 60,000 pounds. Ward has been in the auto-repair business since 1981 and has been at his current Portland Street location since 1999.

"It is really quite an honor to be recognized by AAA as a leader in customer service," said Ward, in responding to the award. "We believe the best way to deal with customers is to listen to their concerns and do everything in our power to make it right. That’s the way we need to be."