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ChamberWorks January 2002 |
» Past Issues |
» President's
Message
» Wine
Tasting & Silent Auction Jan. 25
» December
Reception Recap
» January
is Here!
» January
Business After Hours
» Heads
Up
» Save
the Date for Casino Royale
» Sponsorships
for Casino Royale
» Plus
Loyalty Program
» Welcome
New Members!
President's Message
Happy New Year!
We are happy to report that retail sales were not as bad as some were anticipating. Many merchants said they were up slightly from last year, making a slow and steady climb throughout December, with a spike in sales during the final week. We expect that this had a great deal to do with the positive media attention from local newspapers who constantly reminded shoppers to deal with local merchants and to keep discretionary spending at home. We thank them for their help.
During the final week before Christmas, the Chamber office experienced an overflow of people stopping by for local merchant gift certificates. Sales for this product are up about 30% over the prior year, and we expect the program to continue to grow. Call the Chamber office if you would like to be included on the list for the coming year.
Just a reminder that if you haven't renewed your membership, you will not be included in the membership listing for the 2002 Business Guide. Call the chamber office if you've forgotten to pay your dues and we'll try to squeeze you into the upcoming directory.
Mark you calendars now, as January will be a busy month. There's the Deduct-A-Ride seminar on January 15th, followed by the Wine Tasting and Silent Auction on January 25th and the new teacher's reception and Business After Hours on January 30th. Your participation is all that is required to make a success of these events and any other organization events currently being planned.
See you around town.
Michael R. Gness
Edward Jones Investments
President, Fairfield Chamber of Commerce
Wine Tasting & Silent Auction Jan. 25
Mark your calendars now for the 7th annual Fairfield Chamber of
Commerce Wine Tasting and Silent Auction.
Once again the Greenwich Workshop Gallery will host this very important chamber fund-raiser on Friday, January 25, 2002 from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. This is a real opportunity for you and your company to receive exposure through planned press releases and at the evening event which we expect will be attended by 140—150 individuals.
We are looking for an item, service or gift certificate with a value of twenty-five dollars or more. Do you have concert or theatre tickets you are not planning to use? Do you subscribe to a professional sporting event? Are you willing to offer your vacation home for a weekend or two? How about buying a chamber gift certificate to auction? Can you cook a meal for six? The possibilities are endless.
Please take a moment to think about what you can donate. Call the chamber office; we will pick up your donation if you are unable to drop it off at the chamber office.
Your help with this chamber event is critical. Proceeds from the event help to support chamber activities which, in turn, make Fairfield a better place in which to live or do business.
Denise T. Johnson, Chairman
Over 60 people attended the Chamber's Holiday Membership Reception held at Vazzy's Restaurant on December 19th and shared in the holiday spirit! This annual event has been a huge success for the past number of years. Donations of gifts & money for Operation Hope, although not anticipate, were gladly received.
January is Here!
It should take just a moment for you to mark your calendars and make
reservations for the events listed in this month's ChamberWorks.
There's the Annual Wine Tasting & Silent Auction (7 p.m.) on the 25th, and our monthly Business After Hours (5:30 p.m.) on the 30th. We welcome faxed reservations, or call the Chamber now. It will relieve you of those last minute reservation anxieties!
January Business After Hours
The January Business After Hours, hosted this year by the Fairfield
Historical Society, is the annual event which also welcomes teachers new
to the Fairfield school system. As community and business leaders, let's
show them our support with a good turnout. The teachers are invited as
our guests, and have expressed their thanks to the Chamber office for
the opportunity to meet our members.
Heads Up
Once again there will be a table-top expo held in March of 2002.
Entitled, Regional Business Networking & Expo & Business
After Hours, it is scheduled for Tuesday, March 12th at the Norwalk
Community College. Each of the participating Chambers will have a
limited number of tables to sell, so give Linda a call at the Chamber
office (255-1011) if you have an interest. Details are enclosed, and
prior exhibitors will have the first right of refusal before it opens up
to other interested exhibitors. You need not be a Chamber Member to
participate in this expo!
Save the Date for Casino Royale
Get out your tuxedos and your cocktail dresses! Call the babysitter! The
State of Connecticut approved the Chamber's request for a permit to
hold it's first ever casino night Saturday, April 20th, 2002
at The Patterson Club. While the event is very different from the
summer clambake, income generated from the affair will go for the same
purpose—to market Fairfield as the place to live and do business.
So here's the deal (pardon the pun). An agreement was entered with Casino Productions to host the entire event. All you will be asked to do is sell tickets, solicit sponsorships and turn out yourself for a fun and exciting adult evening. The evening will begin at 7:30 PM and run into the wee hours. Once gaming ends at 11:00 PM, chips will be tallied, high rollers announced and prizes awarded.
Tickets are $100 PP which entitles the bearer to an open bar, a fabulous menu of hot and cold hors d'oeuvres, carving and pasta stations, desserts and coffee, and $15.00 in play money to begin the games.
Sponsorships for Casino Royale
Platinum - $2,500 (3): 4 comp tickets, company name, logo or
president's face on play money (you chose the denomination), all press
releases, advertising, mailings, Chamber newsletter, inserts and
signage.
Gold - $1,500 (2): 2 comp tickets, company name on cashier's badges, cashier tables, Chamber newsletters, inserts and signage.
Silver - $500 (16): Sponsor's name on dealer badges and gaming table displays.
Bronze - $100 (9): Cabaret tables will carry the name of the sponsor.
Since there will be no Clambake in 2002, it's your company's only chance to sponsor a Chamber event, which we anticipate will be a huge success. Give the Chamber office a call at 255-1011 if you wish more information or wish to discuss a sponsorship. We do not expect the sponsorships to last long, and ticket sales will be limited.
Retailers are always looking for ways to find new customers and to retain old ones. The Fairfield Chamber of Commerce is always interested in new ideas for promoting hometown merchants and for helping the membership grow. This might be the answer. We hope that retailers and all who are interested will come to the Axxess Group meeting scheduled for 8:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., Wednesday, February 6th at the Rotary Room of the library. Be prepared to ask questions about the cost for the program, how the town can create its own currency, and how the program might grow. Oh yes, and coffee will be served.
Please call 255-1011 and let the Chamber know if you will be attending!
Welcome New Members for December!
For contact information, consult
our online Member Directory.
- Arango Wireless
- AFLAC New York
- College Consulting LLC
- Joan Vogel Elias, Vintage Jewelry
- Fairfield Family Physicians
- Cathleen B. Miller, LLC
- Stella Montana, Realtor
- Order, Inc.
- Repro Services, Inc.