Importance of first impressions

Free breakfast-and-learn session, May 3

The Greater Summerside Chamber of Commerce knows it’s all about making a good first impression.

The chamber is partnering with several entities from the Island’s Acadian business community to deliver a free breakfast-and-learn session on ‘The Importance of First Impressions’ as part of its Business Builder series on Thursday, May 3 at 8:30 a.m. in the Salon PierrePart at the Centre Belle-Alliance in Summerside.

The Acadian and Francophone Chamber of Commerce of P.E.I., the Wellington Rural Action Centre, the LIENS project and RDEE Prince Edward Island (the provincial francophone economic development council) are cosponsoring this hour-long event. They will provide the bacon and eggs breakfast, complete with toast, fruit salad and tea or coffee.

Guest speakers will be Cora Lee Dunbar, the Prince County regional program officer for P.E.I. Connectors, and Alana Walsh, program manager of the newly launched P.E.I. Network (1+1=3).

Dunbar’s role is geared to connecting immigrant entrepreneurs to business investment and purchasing opportunities. Mentoring and coaching clients is part of her mandate to help in the startup phases of their project. Walsh works in connecting job seekers, recent graduates and new Islanders with local business and community leaders.

They will be able to provide a variety of suggestions and tips on things business owners should do or avoid doing to ensure that potential customers and partners get a positive first impression of their business, product or service. They’ll stress the development of friendly interpersonal and customer service skills.

Registration is free but those who wish to attend must sign up by April 27 by contacting Tara Maddix at the chamber at 902-436-9651 or by sending her an email at tara@summersidechamber.com.