By Ally Lanasa, Staff Writer

(Jan. 21, 2021) After the novel coronavirus pandemic resulted in the cancellation of most Berlin Chamber of Commerce events in 2020 and brought challenges for the town’s small businesses, the board of directors and chamber members are prepared for the changes that will come in the new year.

Steve Frene

Steve Frene, immediate past president and deputy director of the chamber, said he is most proud of how Berlin came together during the pandemic to support the local business community.

“For the most part, most Berlin businesses were able to do well and some even thrived,” Frene said. “Some had exceptional years because, for example, if they had outside dining, they were able to flourish because not everybody has a place you can sit outside in a beautiful setting like Berlin and enjoy a meal.”

Fortunately, no businesses closed in Berlin as a result of covid-19.

“We were able to open a few new businesses,” Frene added.

Harvest Guitar Shop, Cozy Recordings, The Globe, Boxcar on Main, Pop’s Kitchen, Dolle’s Candyland, Thunder & Anvil, The Buzz Meadery and East & Main Shore Supply were established in 2020.

In addition, the Berlin Chamber of Commerce announced changes in board personnel on social media Jan. 14.

Mike Queen, the owner of Rayne’s Reef Soda Fountain & Grill on Main Street and several real estate properties in Berlin, is the new president. Queen grew up in Berlin and is a graduate of Stephen Decatur High School. He has been involved with the chamber since 2004 and also served on the board of directors for the last two years.

Queen ran his first meeting as president on Tuesday.

He will oversee affairs, work with the board of directors to promote businesses in Berlin and participate in the planning of events as much as possible.

Queen said Frene will be a mentor to him during his term as president.

“Some presidents are more hands-off than others,” Frene said. “I was very active and involved because … I was in a position I could do that.”

Frene and his wife, Debbie, sold Victorian Charm at 100 N. Main St. in November 2019 to retire.

As the new deputy director, Frene will now administer the daily business of the chamber.

“I’m going to be the person that would be in the office,” he said. “I’ll be managing memberships, billing, communications – those kinds of things.”

The executive director and the deputy director are the two paid, part-time positions of the chamber. Frene works about 20 hours per week.

“I’ve been involved with the Berlin Chamber of Commerce for about 25 years,” he said. He joined as a member when he worked for a radio station in town.

“I went to a fundraiser at the old King’s Pub, this was like a Christmas fundraiser they did,” he said. “I ended up meeting the president of the chamber back then, who happens to be my wife now.”

Since then, he has been running events for the chamber, primarily the Fiddler’s Convention and the Jazz & Blues, Wine & Brews Festival.

Other chamber personnel changes include Nicky Chavis as treasurer. Shelly Bruder becomes the new president-elect.

Cate Nellans remains secretary, and Larnet St. Amant remains executive director. Other board members include Tori Grundman and Gerri Fentress.

To become board members, candidates must complete an application at https://berlinchamber.org/for-our-members/app-uploads-2019-12-member-of-the-board-of-directors-position-description-pdf/.

“So, you have to be a chamber of commerce member in good standing, and then there’s an application online for board directors,” Frene said.

He added that applicants answer questions in essay form. The board of directors reviews the essays, followed by an interview process.

“We do require our board of directors to participate in the running of events,” Frene said.

He said the Berlin Chamber of Commerce is searching for new board and chamber members.

With the new year, the chamber has several goals, such as informing businesses of potential grants and loans and launching new software called ChamberMaster designed for chambers of commerce.

“It’s a software platform that allows you to manage your chamber better,” Frene said.

The chamber is in the process of converting to ChamberMaster and hopes to have it fully integrated by the beginning of February.

Frene is engaged in virtual training for how to operate the new software.

Furthermore, the board of directors and chamber members hope to continue to adapt and respond to coronavirus regulations.

“I think the main goal would be to navigate the coronavirus and try to get all of our events back on a modified platform to keep them going,” Queen said.

He is also focused on promoting businesses through social media.

A part of that goal is marketing Berlin as a year-round business community and assuring residents and visitors that it is safe, Frene added.

Frene said events are being planned now with the hope that large gatherings can occur in late summer or early fall.

For Spring Celebration on April 3, the chamber is planning a smaller event.

“We have certain activities that [children] can do, but like the Ice Ice Berlin thing, they’ll be spread out around town,” he said.

For the full list of 2021 chamber events, visit https://berlinchamber.org/events/.