Happy New Year! The beginning of a new year always brings optimism and the chance for a fresh start and the Middlesex Chamber team is excited about the year ahead.

Next week, the latest installment of our KeyBank workshop series, “Sexual Harassment Prevention Training” will take place on Tuesday, January 9 at 8:00 a.m. in person at the chamber office. Attorneys from the law firm Jackson Lewis, P.C. will discuss:

• the definition of sexual harassment
• how to limit your company's exposure to charges of sexual harassment, and
• the prevention of sexual harassment in the workplace

This session meets the State of Connecticut's requirement for two hours of sexual harassment prevention training for employees. To register, click here.

Also taking place next week will be two Real Estate Continuing Education Classes, presented by our Real Estate Council. Instructor Valerie Votto will lead classes on "Code of Ethics: Our Promise of Professionalism" and “Risk Management”. To register for Code of Ethics, click here. To register for Risk Management, click here.

Later in the month, join us on January 24 for an Economic Outlook Luncheon featuring Ron Insana, Award-winning Journalist, Financial Analyst, Commentator, Author and Contributor to CNBC and MSNBC. This informative luncheon will take place from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. at the Sheraton Hartford South Hotel in Rocky Hill. A special thank you to Comcast Business for sponsoring this event. To register, click here.

On January 30, save the date for a Lunch & Learn focusing on “How to Deal with Difficult People” from 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. at the chamber office, hosted by our Real Estate Council. This workshop, open to all chamber members, will focus on how to handle customers/ clients,de-escalation tactics, how to manage our responses in these situations, and more. For more info, contact sara@middlesexchamber.com.

Thank you to the following volunteer chairs for leading meetings this week:

• Terresa Long – Women’s Business Network
• Tim Myjak - Environment & Infrastructure Committee – Register Here
• Jenn Billingsley & Cathy Egan – Portland Division – Register Here
• Jay Polke – Finance Committee
• Pam Steele – Central Business Bureau – Register Here
• Nancy Currlin & Juliet Cavanaugh – Real Estate Council – Register Here
• Geoff Jacobson & Lori Frazier – Down County Division – Register Here

Wishing you all a great month and a successful 2024!

We invite our Members and their key employees to join the Chamber staff and fellow business members on Wednesday, January 17 for an evening of networking, complimentary hot and cold hors d'oeuvres, wine, beer and soft drinks.

We are asking a suggested donation of $5.00 to raise funds for Chamber Youth Programs at this event. This is a great networking opportunity! Don’t forget your business cards!

Click here to register!

The Chamber has fourteen geographically based divisions which meet on a monthly basis throughout Middlesex County. These divisions focus on local economic development issues and each meeting features an update from local municipal officials.

The Chamber Divisions are:

• Central Business Bureau of the City of Middletown (all Middletown businesses) - Chairman: Pamela Steele, Pamela Roose Specialty Hand Knits

• Cromwell Division - Co-Chairs: Rodney Bitgood, Cromwell Automotive, LLC & Cara Scianna, Liberty Bank

• Down County Division (Chester, Deep River and Essex) – Co-Chairs: Geoff Jacobson, Nathan L. Jacobson & Associates, Inc. & Lori Frazier, Winsupply of Essex

• Durham & Middlefield Division – Co-Chairs: Debbie Huscher, Durham Agricultural Fair Association & Jen Huddleston, Indian Springs Golf Club

• East Haddam/ Haddam & Killingworth Division – Co-Chairs: Jenn Hayn, Julia Balfour, LLC, Mike Bennett, Bennett & Smilas Associates, Inc. & Jeffrey Brewer, Pequot Commercial

• Portland & East Hampton Division – Co-Chairs: Jenn Billingsley, Portland Public Library & Catherine Egan, Bevin Bros Manufacturing Company

• Rocky Hill Division – Chairman: Jesse Mejia, CarePartners of Connecticut



• Westbrook Division – Co-Chairs: Phil Cocchiola, The Oxford Academy & Meri Wick, Westbrook Inn Bed and Breakfast



A huge thank you to our division chairs for leading these meetings and serving as our direct connection to our members in their respective towns

CHAMBER MEETING SCHEDULE

January 2 though January 9, 2024

Wednesday, January 3rd

8:00 a.m. - Environment & Infrastructure Committee @ Chamber or join via Zoom

8:00 a.m. - Portland/East Hampton Division @ Disaster Restoration Services, Portland

3:00 p.m. - Finance Committee @ Chamber or join via Zoom

Thursday, January 4th

8:00 a.m. - Central Business Bureau (CBB) @ Chamber or join via Zoom

11:00 a.m. - Real Estate Council @ Chamber or join via Zoom

Friday, January 5th

8:00 a.m. - Chester/Deep River/Essex Division @ Chapco Inc, Chester

Monday, January 8th

11:30 a.m. - Executive Committee @ Chamber or join via Zoom

Tuesday, January 9th

8:00 a.m. - KeyBank Workshop Series "Sexual Harassment Prevention Training" @ Chamber

8:00 a.m. - Business & Education Partnership Advisory Council @ Chamber or join via Zoom

6:15 p.m. - Side Street to Main Street Business & Leadership Development Program Class 23 Session 12 @ Chamber

Please welcome them by visiting their website, sending them an email or stopping by to introduce yourself. The personal touch will help our chamber continue to grow and thrive!

AmeriTech Contracting, Inc. - Middletown

Constanza & Company - Chester

Elements Personal Training and Fitness - Rocky Hill

EnviroTrac Ltd. - Cromwell

Marker 37 - Chester

Middletown Main Street Properties - Middletown

Trinity Martial Arts & Boxing - Rocky Hill