 |
A Message from our President
April is a busy and exciting month at the Chamber, during which we host our annual Membership Campaign with the goal of growing our organization by 100 new members. This means more networking opportunities and more resources for our existing members, and
special incentives for the new members that choose to join.
A group of dedicated Chamber members has volunteered to assist in this effort and reach out to businesses in our region to invite them to join our organization. In gratitude of their time and effort, our volunteers will be awarded prizes for each new member that signs up. If you're interested in becoming a volunteer for the membership campaign, sending us the name of someone you know that might like to join during this time, or perhaps donating a prize for our hard working volunteers, I encourage you to reach out to our
Membership Services and Communication Director Julie Donato for full details on how to participate.
The membership campaign will officially wrap up with our
May Out for Business and New Member Welcome Reception, which will take place at the beautiful Heritage Hotel on May 22nd. I encourage you to come out to that event to meet your newest fellow members and share about your Chamber experience with them.
I look forward to the warmer weather and to welcoming our newest members with you. As always, please reach out to me if I can be of service at (203) 757-0701 or at
lward@waterburychamber.com.
Best Regards,
|
|
The 2017 Legislative Session is in full swing! We know you're busy running your business- that's why our Public Policy and Economic Development Director Dave Krechevsky strives to keep you updated on the key developments happening in Hartford that could affect your business. Follow Dave's Public Policy Blog to stay in the know and on top of developments in Public Policy.
|
|
|
Join Us! - Upcoming Chamber Events
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
Business Matters Seminar: Accomplish It All
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
YPOWR Socks for All Collection
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
23rd Annual Waterbury Regional Chamber Golf Outing
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
May Out for Business and New Member Welcome Reception
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
12th Annual Duck Day and Race
|
|
|
|
|
Join us at upcoming ribbon cuttings to celebrate your fellow members!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana
|
Monday, April 17
10:30 AM
160 Reidville Drive,
Waterbury
|
|
|
|
|
Carolyn's Place Mobile Pregnancy Center
|
Tuesday, April 18
10:00 AM
PAL Parking Lot, 64 Division Street, Waterbury
|
|
|
|
|
Skintique
Friday, April 21 ~
2:30 PM
2030 Straits Turnpike, Middlebury
|
|
*To schedule an upcoming ribbon cutting for your business with the Chamber, contact Membership Services and Communications Director Julie Donato at jdonato@waterburychamber.comor at (203) 757-0701 ext. 311.
|
|
|
Welcome to all of our new members who have joined over the past month*. We encourage you to click on the names below to visit their websites and hope you can connect with them soon.
*New Members from March 1- April 13
|
|
HR Corner: "Meal Breaks - No Big Deal?"
|
|
Many organizations believe that meal breaks are no big deal. Well, they would be wrong!
According to Society for Human Resource Management, two companies (one being Apple) had to pay over $2 Million in fines for neglecting the State meal break requirements. The other, a ship repair company, had to pay over $2.9 Million for the same reason!
Although meal break law is state and locally regulated, you must know your area's requirements to stay out of jeopardy! Connecticut requires an hourly worker a ½- hour unpaid break within a 7.5 hour, or more shift. Furthermore, that meal break must not be at the beginning or end of their shift! Over $2 Million is too much to pay for a few extra minutes of work!
The HR Corner is brought to you by Lois Krause of Kardas Larson - Human Resources Solutions
|
|
|
Your Health Care Council Update
|
|
|
|
Kids and Screen Time:
The Importance of Limits to Your Child's Health and Well-Being
Let's face it: pretty much every parent has told a child at one time or another that too much of anything is no good for them.
Of course, that was before we discovered Netflix binge-a-thons.
That aside, a growing number of studies show children today spend too much time each day staring at an electronic screen. One recent study found that it can range from five to eight hours per day, nearly double what it was a decade ago. So whether that's a smartphone, a tablet, a computer, a videogame monitor or the television, the amount of time kids spend on screens of all kinds continues to increase.
At least part of that time is unavoidable, since these days most research by school-age children is done online, and most projects are typed up on a computer or laptop.
But with parents also spending an increasing amount of time focused on a screen - one study estimates it at nine hours a day for adults - they may not realize the negative effect it can have on their children.
Click Here to Read Full Article.
Written by Public Policy and Economic Development Director Dave Krechevsky
|
|
|
TechHire Grant Offers Business Incentives
|
|
The Northwest Regional Workforce Investment Board was awarded a highly-competitive U.S. Dept. of Labor training and employment grant. Participants will receive services through the TechHire grant ITXpress Program, with a focus on youth and young adults ages 17-29 with barriers to employment. Training will center on the high-growth information technology sector. The TechHire grant is of interest to Chamber of Commerce members because incentives* to a qualified business can total over $7,000.
Learn More - Click Here.
|
|
|
Leadership Greater Waterbury 2017: Team Projects
|
|
The Leadership Greater Waterbury Class of 2017 is preparing community projects as part of their annual curriculum. Participants in the program are tasked with creating a project that will give back to the Waterbury community. Coming up: the
Brass Quest Team will host a Waterbury Community Scavenger Hunt on May 6th that will send participants to local businesses and organizations in order to enter a drawing to win the $500 grand prize, among other prizes. The event is free and open to the public. You can find more details on the group's
Facebook page by clicking here. Brass Quest is comprised of: Olivia Jefferson of Waterbury Youth Services, Julie Donato of Waterbury Regional Chamber, Paul Pannicia of Post University, Morgan Luschenat of Post University and Lori Nemec of Ion Bank.
Team Projects Coming Up:
Vet Fest - May 20th in Library Park - Team Members: Melanie Silva of MacDermid Performance Solutions, Lauresha Xhihani of Waterbury Hospital and Caitlin McCullough of Crystal Rock
Project REL for West Side Middle School - Wine and Beer Tasting on May14th at the Grand Oak Villa - Team Members: Rita Marie Manville of Easterseals, Erik Anthony of FD Community Federal Credit Union and Leanna Coiro of Eversource Energy
STEPS Team - Ongoing Mentoring Program with the Enlightenment School - Team Members: Tiffany Swiatlon of Ion Bank, Keon Blackledge of Saint Mary's Hospital, Jonathan Draper of UCONN Waterbury, Monique Dolphy of MacDermid Performance Solutions, Ryan Cooke of Post Univeristy and Roger Ames of People's United Bank
|
|
|
Bill Wildman Floor Covering Encourages
26 Random Acts of Kindess
|
|
The Chamber team would like to thank Bill Wildman Floor Covering for their donation of the installation and new L.V.T. floor custom pattern in our Board Room entry area. This was done as the company's 10th random act of kindness for 2017. The company is honoring the wishes of the Sandy Hook parents by showing 26 random acts of kindness for their customers, and ask that members of the Chamber show 26 random acts of kindness to others. Thank you to Bill Wildman Floor Coverings, and we encourage our members to reach out with kind acts to others in the spirit of giving as Bill Wildman has done for all of us.
|
|
|
Sub Work: How to Join Electric Boat's Network of Subcontractors
|
|
|
Sen. Christopher S. Murphy recently teamed with the Waterbury Regional Chamber to present an informational event for manufacturers interested in working with major defense contractor and submarine manufacturer General Dynamics Electric Boat. The event, held April 12 at Vasi's Restaurant & Bar in Waterbury, attracted more than 70 people from manufacturers and other businesses interested in subcontracting with Electric Boat. It included presentations by Sen. Murphy; Rep. Elizabeth Esty; T. Blair Decker, vice president of supply chain, material conveyance and strategic sourcing for Electric Boat, and Kurt Westby, deputy commissioner of the state Department of Labor. The event was sponsored by Noujaim Tool Company Inc. and hosted by Selim Noujaim. The Chamber also honored Vice President at Large Rich DuPont, who is stepping down as Manufacturing Council chairman after seven years.
|
|
|
Business Expo & Health and Wellness Fair
|
|
The annual Business Expo & Health and Wellness Fair welcomed businesses and consumers to the Aqua Turf for a great evening of networking on April 11th. Exhibitors offered attendees raffle prizes, giveaways, business information, and more. A scavenger hunt encouraged attendees to find answers to questions about participating businesses at a number of booths. Thank you to our sponsors: Host Sponsor: Green Earth Energy PhotoVoltaic, Corporate Partner: Corporate Display Specialties, Media Partners: Republican-American and WATR 1320 Radio, Small Business Sponsors: A Plus Audio Visual, Barker Specialty Company, Comcast Spotlight, Earth Core Energy Services, Hearing, Balance, & Speech Center, Ion Bank, Liberty Bank, Peoples United Bank, Savings Bank of Danbury, Secor, Cassidy & McPartland, P.C. and Webster Bank.
|
|
|
127th Annual Meeting and Business Luncheon
|
|
|
On March 28th, the Chamber invited its members to the 127th Annual Meeting and Luncheon. Members enjoyed networking and lunch while they received updates on progress and future plans for the chamber. Members celebrating significant anniversary years of membership were recognized, and new Board of Directors members we approved. Tim Bergstrom of Webster Bank stepped down as chairman of the board and welcomed Dr. William J. Pizzutto of UCONN Waterbury as incoming chairman. Julia Weston of Thrivent Financial was named Young Professional of the Year, and Barbara Branagan-Mitchell of Branagan Communications Consultants was named Ambassador of the Year. Attendees enjoyed a keynote address from speaker Leo Tonkin. Premier Sponsor: Green Earth Energy PhotoVoltaic
|
|
|
March Out for Business at Sarracco Mechanical Services
|
|
|
Sarracco Mechanical Services welcomed Chamber members to an Out for Business event at their new Waterbury offices. Members enjoyed networking, food and drinks as they explored Sarracco's new space. Attendees also enjoyed a March Madness networking game which had them partnering up with another member who received a matching team logo. Those who arrived at 5:00 PM enjoyed a Buzz Session presented by the Chamber Toastmasters on networking tips and tricks.The event was also supported by People's United Bank as the evening's beverage sponsor.
|
|
|
YPOWR Minute to Win It Networking Social
|
|
|
Young Professionals of Waterbury Region (YPOWR) hosted their annual Minute to Win it Networking Social at MacDermid Performance Solutions. Attendees were paired up with a partner to compete in short, one-minute challenges and earn points for top prizes. Along with the friendly competition, attendees had time for networking and enjoyed hors d'ouvres and drinks at MacDermid's offices. Thanks to our hosts, Jim O'Rourke of the Greater Waterbury YMCA and Kristin Mabrouk of the Naugatuck Youth Services.
View More Event Photos Here |
|
|
Legislative Reception & Policy Briefing
|
|
|
The Waterbury Regional Chamber hosted a Legislative Reception and Policy Briefing on March 9 to connect members with the legislative delegation and local elected officials. Keynote Speaker Benjamin Barnes, State Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management, provided insight into the state budget and some key decision making. Featured speaker Senator Joan V. Hartley was also presented with the 2016 Legislator of the Year Award by the Chamber's Board of Directors. Thank you to our sponsors: Gold Sponsor- Trinity Health - New England Silver Sponsors- Hubbard-Hall and Pullman & Comley - Waterbury
|
|
The Waterbury Regional Chamber took a group of dedicated and involved members to Hartford for Connecticut Business Day on March 8th. They were able to hear an address from Gov. Dan Malloy, connect with their local delegation, and advocate for their business interests. Sponsors: Smaller Manufacturers Association of CT, Hubbard-Hall and Marjan, Inc.
|
|
|
Promote Your Business with Door Prize Donations
|
|
Promote your products and services and get great exposure by donating a gift certificate or item to a Chamber function.
Donated items are drawn as prizes for our monthly Out for Business events, Young Professionals of Waterbury Region networking events, Out for Health events, and more. Donations can also be made specifically to the annual Malcolm Baldrige Awards Dinner silent auction.
When you donate, you can gain a new customer and your business is publicly spotlighted by the Chamber.
Start a Donation Today! - Click Here
|
|
|
Enhanced Web Listings: Stand out from the Competition
|
|
Members now have the exciting ability to upgrade to an enhanced listing on waterburychamber.com. Our staff is working hard to bring the benefits of these enhanced listings to you. These listings offer members the ability to stand out from their competition with features such as your company logo, a bolder listing, your social media links, videos and photos and a business description. Our goal is to help members generate more online referrals, website clicks, social media interaction and more potential customers. Click here for more details. For questions or to activate your enhanced listing, email Alison at
aamato@waterburychamber.com
|
|
|
|
|
We're working to promote shopping local and shopping Chamber! Our new digital initiative provides the opportunity to promote your business through our e-mail, newsletter, and social media exposure to encourage your fellow members to shop local and utilize your business. Every month, different members will be showcased- and YOU can be a part of it. Click here for further details and consider which month you'd like to sign up for. Contact Julie at
jdonato@waterburychamber.com today!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
