Find out what’s happening on the local business scene

ELECTED

The Greater Mystic Chamber of Commerce has elected new officers and directors for 2020. Bruce Flax, director of ticket operations and entertainment marketing at Foxwoods Resort Casino, and former mayor of the Town of Groton, will serve as chairman of its board. Shannon McKenzie, director of watercraft programs at Mystic Seaport Museum, will serve as secretary, and Amanda Arling, president of The Whaler’s Inn and The Shipwright’s Daughter, and co-chairwoman of the annual Mystic Outdoor Art Festival, will be treasurer. Re-elected to a second year as vice chairman is Chris Regan of Olde Mistick Village and Regan Enterprises. Regan also serves as chair of the Mystic Chamber Foundation.

Also elected at the GMCC Annual Meeting were three new directors: Annemarie Seifert, director of the UConn campus at Avery Point; Shaun Mastroianni, regional executive director specialist at Benchmark Senior Living; and Sal Ritacco of Ritacco Law. For more information, visit www. mysticchamber.org or call (860) 572-9578.

WORKSHOPS

The Chamber of Commerce of Eastern CT with presenters Suisman Shapiro will offer two Sexual Harassment Prevention Training sessions in January. These sessions meet new requirements around the Time’s Up Act for companies with three or more employees to provide two hours of training, or to provide training for anyone in a supervisory role. Visit www.ChamberECT. com/events or call (860) 7019113 to register for one of two sessions on Thursday, Jan. 16, 8:30-10:30 a.m. or Wednesday, Jan. 29, 3-5 p.m.

SCORE will host: “The ABCs of a Business Plan and Understanding a SWOT Analysis,” Tuesday, Jan. 7, 5:30- 7 p.m., Groton Public Library, 52 Newtown Road.’’ Presenter is Economic Development Specialist Tanisha Baptiste of the Small Business Administration.

“Using Paid Advertising on

Facebook,” Wednesday, Jan. 15, 5:30-7 p.m., East Lyme Public Library, 39 Society Road, Niantic.

For more information contact Anne Driscoll at anne. driscoll@scorevolunteer.org.

The Chamber of Commerce of Eastern CT will host a Business Breakfast and Mini-Expo on The Business of Cannabis on Jan. 30, 7:30-10 a.m. at the Holiday Inn, Norwich. Speakers are Michelle Seagull, commissioner of the state Department of Consumer Protections, and Kay Doyle, commissioner of the Cannabis Control Commission of Massachusetts. Cost is $25 for Chamber members, $35 for nonmembers before Jan. 28, with an additional $5 after. For more information or to register, visit www.ChamberECT. com/events or call (860) 701-9113.

The Women’s Business Development Council will host:

“Let’s Talk: Negotiation,” Annemarie Seifert, instructor, Friday, Jan. 10, 9-10:30 a.m. in Mystic. Call for details.

“Log In: Instagram 101,” Terri Piekara, instructor, Monday, Jan. 13, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., WBDC, 300 State St., Suite 419, New London.

“Business Counseling Day,” Sherry Konwerski, coach, by appointment only, WBDC, 300 State St. Suite 419, New London.

“Marketing Counseling Day,” Anne DiFrancesco, coach, Tuesday, Jan. 28, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. by appointment only, WBDC, 300 State St., Suite 419, New London.

Programs are free. Register at www.ctwbdc.org or contact Susan Hackett at (860) 5749246 for an appointment.

NETWORKING

The Chamber of Commerce of Eastern CT joins Hoffman Audi in New London for a Business After Hours on Wednesday, Jan. 8, 5-7 p.m. $15 for members, $25 for nonmembers before Jan. 6, with an additional $5 after. For more information, visit www. ChamberECT.com/events or call (860) 701-9113.

The Chamber of Commerce of Eastern CT will host a Business Luncheon featuring U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney on Jan. 22, 11:30 a.m.–1 p.m. at the Mystic Marriott, Groton. Cost to attend is $30 for Chamber members, $40 for nonmembers before Jan. 17, with an additional $5 after. For more information or to register, visit www.ChamberECT.com/events or call (860) 701-9113.

HONORS

The Chamber of Commerce of Eastern CT is accepting nominations for its 70th Citizen of the Year. Nominations are being accepted for a resident of eastern Connecticut who has made outstanding contributions to the civic and business community, including the economic vitality of the region. The deadline for nominations is Jan. 12. For more information on the annual award or to make a nomination, visit www.ChamberECT. com/events or call (860) 701-9113.

GIVING

Charter Oak Federal Credit

Union’s Matching Gifts Program donated a combined $400,000 from the credit union and its members that will benefit more than 300 charitable organizations. Charter Oak’s initial Matching Gifts pledge of “$100,000 in 100 Days” was doubled during 2019. During 2019, Charter Oak’s Matching Gifts Program received nearly 1,000 donations from its members that it matched to 304 charitable groups, from individual $25 matches up to $500 member matches. Charter Oak began its Matching Gifts donation program in 2016. Since then, nearly $1.2 million has been donated by Charter Oak and its members.

MEMBERSHIP

The Chamber of Commerce of Eastern CT welcomes its newest members: RobThomasUSA LLC and Waltham Pest Services. Visit www.ChamberECT.com to discover a full Chamber member directory.