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In This Issue:
A Note from Newsletter Sponsor Post University
Upcoming Events ~ Welcome New Members
Upcoming Ribbon Cuttings ~ HR Corner
Health Care Council Update ~ Business Women's Forum
Hiring/Training Programs ~
Chamber New
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A Message from our President
The Chamber is an organization that is built on the simple truth that we are all stronger and more powerful together than any of us could be alone, and never is that more accurate than during our annual membership campaign. This year, the campaign is aptly themed
"Strength in Numbers," and we are so pleased to have welcomed
48 new members to date with the help of your referrals, recommendations, and outreach to fellow business owners.
There's a few weeks left of the membership campaign for businesses to take advantage of our
special campaign incentives when they join, which include promotion on a digital billboard, coupons, deals and more. If you know of anyone who might benefit from membership with us, we would appreciate any connection or introduction you can make- and you'll get
thank you gifts from us as well. When our numbers grow, we all benefit from a larger, more diverse network!
If you're interested in getting to know our newest members, join us for the
May Out for Business and New Member Welcome Reception, which will take place at the beautiful Heritage Hotel on May 23rd. Consider inviting a guest to that event so that we can show them what membership has to offer.
Best Regards,
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A Note from Newsletter Sponsor Post University
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Post University to Move 400 Jobs Downtown in 2019
In a nod to its origins as a one-building schoolroom in downtown Waterbury, Post University® CEO John L. Hopkins has announced the University will move about 400 associates back downtown in 2019 and expects to continue employment growth over the next few years.
Post University has signed a tenancy agreement for Waterbury's landmark Howland-Hughes building on Bank Street to create a state-of-the-art Online Education Hub. "We're about to change the face of online education," Hopkins said.
"This new hub in Downtown Waterbury will be a forward-thinking space, designed for maximum associate connectedness and utilizing the most innovative and exceptional mobile learning tools available today," Hopkins added.
Post's Main Campus on Country Club Road in Waterbury and Middlebury will remain in full-operation and is enjoying a resurgence in enrollments, with more students on campus this spring than ever before.
Hopkins says the move is about reinforcing Post's® commitment to the City of Waterbury and connecting the school's 128-year history with its exciting future as it continues to evolve as a modern education innovator.
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Join Us! - Upcoming Chamber Events
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YPOWR Networking at the Winery
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Monday, May 21
11:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Country Club of Waterbury
One Oronoke Road Waterbury
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May Out for Business and New Member Welcome Reception
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Wednesday, May 23
5:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Heritage Hotel & Conference Center
522 Heritage Road, Southbury
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YPOWR & Main Street Waterbury Happy Hour
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Wednesday, May 30
5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
The Thirsty Goat
23 Scovill Street, Waterbury
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Sunday, June 3
11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Maple Street & Water Street, Downtown Naugatuck
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Leadership Greater Waterbury Graduation
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Wednesday, June 6
5:00 PM - 7:30 PM
MacDermid Performance Solutions
245 Freight Street, Waterbury
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YPOWR Friends and Family Networking Luau
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Wednesday, June 13
4:30 PM - 7:30 PM
The Grand Oak Villa
550 Sylvan Lake Road, Oakville
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Health Care Council 13th Annual Meeting & Awards
Breakfast
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Tuesday, June 19
8:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Wyndham Southbury
1284 Strongtown Road, Southbury
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Wednesday, June 20
5:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Webster Bank
364 Reidville Driver, Waterbury
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Naugatuck Chamber & Naugatuck YMCA Golf Outing
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Tuesday, June 26
11:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Watertown Golf Club
246 Guernseytown Road, Watertown
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Welcome to our newest members who have joined over the past month*. We encourage you to connect with these members and learn about how you can work together!
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Action Payroll Services
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Max Prime Steakhouse-Fish-Sushi Bar |
| Acute Care Gases |
Middlebury Racquet Club |
| Artie's Auto Body |
Mobile Rescue Tech Repair Southbury |
| Bouquets and Beyond |
New York Life Securities/NY Life |
| Brass Axe Capital |
Norwalk Vault |
| Comfort Keepers of Southbury |
Ouzo Blue |
| Elegant Windows |
Paperwhite XO |
| FLP Accounting and Tax LLC |
PC Hardwood Floors |
| GeoDesign, Inc. |
Pun Insurance |
| Get Fit Plus |
Reed Insurance Agency |
| Godin Property Brokers |
Reverb |
| Greater Waterbury Interfaith Ministries |
Rose Insurance Agency LLC |
| Ground Up Designs |
The Maintenance Geek LLC |
| Keller Williams Realty |
Thirsty Goat |
| Life's Precious Moments-Orthopedic Massage Therapy |
TLC Homecare LLC |
| Lifetime Roofing, LLC |
Viana Brothers Martial Arts Academy |
| Litchfield County Women's Network (LCWN) |
Vista IT Solutions, LLC |
*Joined April 1 - May 9
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Join us at upcoming ribbon cuttings to celebrate your fellow members!
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Tuesday, May 15th
4:00 PM
Grand Opening!
705 Main Street,
Watertown
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A Better Way Wholesale Autos
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Thursday, May 17th
5:30 PM
Expansion/New Location!
49 Raytkwich Road, Naugatuck
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Viana Brothers Martial Arts Academy
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Thursday, May 24th
3:00 Pm
Grand Opening!
67 Freight Street, Suite B, Waterbury
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Quassy Amusement Park Water Slides
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Memorial Day Weekend Unveiling Celebration!
2132 Middlebury Road, Middlebury
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Thursday, June 14th
4:30 PM
Grand Opening!
992 Cooke Street,
Waterbury
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*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. 325.
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HR Corner:
The EEOC Extends Deadline for Filing EEO-1 Reports until June 1
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The original filing deadline was March 31, 2018 (already extended from September 30, 2017, last year). Due to numerous employer requests, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) extended the 2018 filing deadline, yet again.
According to an EEOC spokesperson, the commission had received reports from approximately 84% of employers in its system by April 24. The agency claims that is quite an improvement over previous years, but they also received numerous requests for technical assistance in a short period of time. This slowed agency response time and when the agency realized they could not provide the technical support for all in a timely fashion, they decided to adjust the deadline for filing. Although the deadline was supposed to be March 31, they did not decide to extend the deadline until April 20, 2018 - after the deadline had passed
The EEO-1 had a tumultuous year, with EEOC adopting the new, Obama requirements for compensation reporting, only to have the new White House's Office of Management and Budget block those new requirements on 8/29/17, just ahead of the "snapshot" window for the report.
This may seem great for employers now, but the EEOC said they believe there will be some new compensation reporting added to the report in coming years. Stay tuned for more information. . .
The HR Corner is brought to you by Lois A. Krause,
MBA, SPHR, SHRM, SCP - KARDASLARSON, LLC -
Human Resources Solutions. Learn more at www.kardaslarson.com
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Your Health Care Council Update
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Health Care Council Announces
13th Annual Awards Honorees
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The Health Care Council recently announced the awards recipients for the 13th Annual Meeting and Awards Breakfast, to be held Tuesday, June 19, from 8 to 10:00 a.m. at the Wyndham Southbury Hotel. The 2018 Leadership Award will be presented to Dr. Christine Lathuras of Sunrise Family Dental Care; The 2018 Unsung Hero Award, to Joseph Ochieng, founder of God Provides Ministries International Inc.; The 2018 Organizational Excellence Award, to Waterbury Neurology LLC in Middlebury, and The 2018 Stephen Sasala Health Advocate Award, to Acts 4 Ministry of Waterbury.
The Health Care Council thanks Platinum Sponsor Saint Mary's Hospital; Gold Sponsors Carmody Torrance Sandak & Hennessey LLP and Waterbury Hospital; and Silver Sponsor Labonne's Markets for their support.
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Is your company interested in the Health Care Council or are you a current council member and want to get re-engaged please contact Courtney at cligi@waterburychamber.com or 203-757-0701.
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The Business Women's Forum, the longest running statewide conference brings you a powerful leadership conference that will feature
2018 keynote speaker, Bethenny Frankel. Brought to you through the Greater Waterbury Chamber of Commerce Foundation, this exciting annual event showcases nationally known speakers and trainers who educate and inspire attendees. In addition to providing access to phenomenal speakers, networking opportunities and diverse training, the Forum awards scholarships to young women pursuing a college business degree at Post University, Waterbury.
The Forum is thrilled to present Bethenney, a businesswoman, entrepreneur, talk show host, bestselling author, investor and reality television personality, as the Forum's 2018 keynote speaker. The Motivational Speaker will be Speaker Hall of Fame member Linda Larsen.
Join us or send employees for this amazing conference on Tuesday, October 30. Plan in advance and register by May 31st to receive the early bird rate of $175. To register now, visit www.2018bwf.com
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Hiring and Training Programs Available
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Do you need help finding qualified workers for your business? Could you use some financial assistance to offset the cost of hiring and training new workers, or training your existing workforce? The Waterbury Regional Chamber is working with the Northwest Regional Workforce Investment Board to help businesses in Greater Waterbury learn more about the available hiring and training programs and whether they qualify for them. This includes providing information on posting jobs on the state's CTHires.com website, as well as information about Manufacturing Innovation Fund Incumbent Worker Training, the Apprenticeship Program, Hiring Veterans, and On the Job Training programs. For information, contact Dave Krechevsky, the Chamber's director of public policy and economic development, at
dkrechevsky@waterburychamber.com or 203-757-0701.
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Young Professionals of Waterbury Region
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YPOWR hosted a networking event in April at Hawk Ridge Winery in Watertown with over 50 young professionals in attendance. Guests were able to sample the wines at Hawk Ridge, enjoy food and networking, and were also treated to a preview performance of the Mattatuck Museum's Murder Mystery event. Join us for YPOWR's next networking event, which will be a Happy Hour in conjunction with Main Street Waterbury, on May 30th.
View All Event Photos
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The Annual Membership Campaign is well underway with over 48 new members that have joined us and received the
full list of campaign incentives so far. The campaign will continue until May 24th, but
new members must join before May 16th to be featured on our digital billboards! If you know a business that could benefit from the networking, marketing, advocacy and resource opportunities that the Chamber offers, please help us make a connection. In recognition of your lead, referral, or sale, we have tons of
great ways to thank you!
There are ongoing contests to see which committees, boards, and individuals invite the most new members to the Chamber, so be sure to keep an eye on your email to see who comes out on top. If you would like to make a referral of a potential member, contact Membership Director Chris Conway at
cconway@waterburychamber.com or (203) 757-0701. Thank you to our Membership Campaign Sponsor, OUTFRONT Media.
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Business Expo & Health and Wellness Fair
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The Aqua Turf welcomed 90 vendors and hundreds of attendees for the Chamber's Annual Business Expo & Health and Wellness Fair on April 30th. Guests were able to visit the booths of a wide range of businesses while enjoying food and drink, networking, entering raffles and participating in an Expo-wide scavenger hunt. Vendors were given the opportunity to be interviewed live on WATR-1320 AM straight from the Expo. Thank you to the Expo's Sponsors, which included top sponsors: Host Sponsors: CDS Displays and I-95 Signs; Corporate Sponsor Webster Bank; Media Sponsors Republican-American and WATR 1320-AM Radio; and Valet Sponsor People's United Bank. The Chamber's next networking event will be the
May Out for Business and New Member Welcome Reception at the Heritage Hotel on May 23rd.
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Promote Your Business with Door Prize Donations
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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
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We're working to promote shopping local and shopping Chamber! Our digital initiative provides the opportunity to promote your business and 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!
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