Chamber of Commerce to host economic summit

Northwest Connecticut Chamber of Commerce’s 2017 Economic Summit will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 2 at 7:30 a.m. at the Torrington Country Club. The keynote speaker is Donald Klepper-Smith of DataCore Partners, LLC.

Don has been a professional economist for 30 years and served as Chairman of Gov. M. Jodi Rell’s Economic Advisory Council from 2007 to 2010 and as an Economic Advisor during the Weicker Administration. Prior to his work for the state, Don served as Corporate Economist for Southern New England Telephone from 1982 to 1996. He has also served as President of both the Economic Club of Connecticut and the Hartford Area Business Economists, two organizations which explore economic issues of importance to the State with a focus on business, government and education. Don is a long-time observer of the region’s economy, and is regularly quoted by various media sources on his perspective and insights on the domestic and Connecticut economies including as a frequent commentator on WTNH Television in New Haven. He is a professional researcher, developing and directing strategic planning initiatives for his clients.

Don will share his wealth of knowledge, provide an outlook for the state and country’s economy and answer questions at this year’s Economic Summit. His appearance at the Summit is made possible through an Employer Services Grant from the Northwest Regional Workforce Investment Board. A full breakfast will be served at the Summit. Reservations are required and can be made at nwctchamberofcommerce.org/calendar. Tickets are $30 per person. Call the Chamber with any questions at 860-482-6586.

Joining the Chamber makes sense

Have you considered joining the Chamber, but never got around to it? Do you need an extra incentive to get involved? Take advantage of a special New Member Bonus Package for members who join the Chamber NOW – before Oct. 31. The Bonus Package has a $1,240 value – in addition to all the Chamber membership benefits. This Fall New Member Bonus Package includes:

• Recognition in radio advertising on WZBG Radio – $120 value

• Republican-American advertising package – $500 maximum value

• 30% discount on advertising packages on KBJB Radio (kbjbradio.com) – $75 maximum value

• Free ads in Chamber newsletter (2 quarter page ads and 2 business card size ads) – $250 value

• Free ad in the Chamber Exchange email – $50 value

• Free banner ad on the Chamber website for one month – $150 value

• Free ticket to the Chamber’s Annual Meeting (April 2018) – $40 value

• Free ticket to the Chamber’s Economic Summit (November 2017) – $30 value

• $25 coupon off exhibitor space in the Chamber’s Great Giveaway Business Showcase (June 2018)

No business is an island. All businesses have some common interests, challenges and concerns. When we work together, we work smarter, advance, prosper. Northwest Connecticut’s Chamber of Commerce builds bridges and creates opportunities.

Chamber membership: What’s in it for you?

• Take advantage of programs and resources to help your business grow

• Make connections, knows who’s who, what they do in over 20 area towns

• Develop and motivate your workforce

• Meet local, state and federal leaders

• Increase your sales and marketing opportunities

• Support education and community life

• Mix business with pleasure along the way

• Recognize that Chamber membership is more than meetings and events – it’s about being part of your business community – with mutual benefits

The chamber works for every type and size business. Gain insights into business management: Take advantage of free business consulting, Chamber-sponsored professional workshops and training seminars. Learn from industry experts and peer groups in your field.

Develop skills and motivate employees: Help your employees learn through training and skill-building programs and sponsored events – opportunities for new and seasoned employees to grow. Or have your own training programs in the Chamber’s facilities. Employees can benefit from the member discount program – and you support local businesses at the same time.

Be informed, make contacts: Our diverse membership provides connections to share news on our website, in our newsletter, by member emails, with social media and at our many professional programs and casual social events. Roundtables with local, state and federal leaders provide the forum for valuable dialog and a collective, stronger voice in government.

Promote your business: Both structured and informal networking gatherings – morning, noon and night – are opportunities to tell your story, make contacts, and create new partnerships. And if you can’t get to events, you have the membership directory, website, newsletter, social media…or host your own event at your business. Membership connects you with representatives of over 800 businesses and organizations.

Invest in education: Partnerships and Chamber initiatives educate employers, employees, residents and school children of all ages throughout the region.

Make the Chamber your own: The Chamber reflects the needs and interests of your local business community. If you don’t see what you’d like to see, let’s discuss how we can help you.

To learn more, visit http://nwctchamberofcommerce.org/membership/bonus/