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ChamberWorks April 2002 |
» Past Issues |
» President's
Message
» Casino
Royale -- April 20th
» Annual
Dinner & Board Meeting
» Visual
Improvement Program Awards
» Recap:
Regional Business Expo
» Recap:
March Business After Hours
» Staff
Appreciation Luncheon April 24
» 'Win,
Place, Showcase 2002'
» April
17th
Business After Hours at Al's Place Café
» 2002
Business Guides are Here!
» Exclusive
Advertising Opportunity
» Annual
Arts & Crafts Show on June 15 & 16
» Welcome
New Members!
President's Message
Winston Churchill is said to have remarked, "Democracy is the
worst form of government, but it is better than any other." I
recalled this old civics lesson this week as I reflected on the
status of the Commerce Drive/Train Station development project.
First Selectman Ken Flatto's new position paper on the project asserts that "the town will work with the developer to create reasonable private development." He contends his proposal will lead to revitalization of the site on a "sustainable right-sized basis."
The developer, Blackrock Realty, claims Mr. Flatto's proposal abrogates a private property owner's rights. This is "plain un-American" according to the developer.
The truth is we are witnessing a very American phenomenon, namely, how a community defines itself.
Fairfield is now a desirable and thriving residential community. Commercial development is feeble at best as evidenced by the decline in commercial property as a proportion of the total tax base. This could be a ticking time bomb. If substantial steps are not taken in Fairfield to redress this imbalance, residential property owners may eventually be driven away from Fairfield by high taxes.
What Mr. Flatto does with the now vacant position of Director of Economic and Community Development will signal the priority he assigns to this problem.
Michael R. Gness
Edward Jones Investments
President, Fairfield Chamber of Commerce
Casino Royale -- April 20th
Invitations are out, and reservations are coming in!
Before you know it, April 20th will be here. Casino Royale will be a grand affair, so you won't want to miss out. For more details see the Events section and our list of sponsors.
Annual Dinner & Board Meeting
The Chamber's Annual Dinner and Board of Directors Meeting is
set for Wed., June 5th at the Fairfield University School of
Business. With a reception hour beginning at 6:00 p.m., the program
will then include dinner, a guest speaker, presentations and awards, and
door prizes. Our slate of officers and directors for the new fiscal year
will be presented to the membership at this time, along with the
recipient of the Harold B. Harris Award. The price is $45 per person.
Invitations will be sent through the mail shortly.
Visual Improvement Program Awards
The annual Visual Improvement Program Awards will be held
on Wed., May 22nd at Nicholas H. Fingelly
Real Estate. Co-Chairs Cathy F. Granneberg of the Nicholas H.
Fingelly Agency and Peter Ventriglia of Landmark Financial Group, along
with their committee, present an evening event which combines a program
of networking and formal presentations. Invitations to the membership
will be mailed shortly.
Recap: Regional Business Expo
Overall, the recently held Regional Business Networking Expo &
Business After Hours at the Norwalk Community College was a great
success! This year, each participating Chamber was able to offer
additional tables for sale, and all were sold out. We even had a few on
the waiting list! So ... don't wait until the last minute next year.
Mark your calendar early so you will be guaranteed a table! Door prize
winners were Kate Loveman of Westport Magazine, Beth Luchansky of The
Westport Inn, and Susan Batura of Westport National Bank.
Recap: March Business After Hours
Over 75 people attended the March Business After Hours held at The
Westport Inn. This event was co-hosted by both the Fairfield Chamber and
Westport Chamber. Although the weather outside was a bit nasty, Frank
Falanga, General Manager of The Westport Inn, along with Karen Heckert,
Director of Sales and Beth Luchansky, Group Sales Manager, made us feel
most welcome with fine refreshments and tasty hors d'oeuvres.
Staff Appreciation Luncheon April 24
Yes, it is confirmed that our event will take place at Tommy's
(upstairs) on Wed., April 24th, 12:00 noon. The cost this year is
$22.00 per person, with your choice of entrée. Please take a
moment to complete the reservation form enclosed with your issue of
ChamberWorks and fax back to the Chamber, 256-9990, or call Linda at
255-1011.
'Win, Place, Showcase 2002'
Wednesday, May 15th is the date set for the upcoming Business
Showcase 2002. Expected are 200 participating exhibitors. This major
area event will be held in the William H. Pitt Health &
Recreation Center at Sacred Heart University. The event will run
from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. with an expected attendance of over
3,000 people. This is another way to show off your business to other
business owners, to network and get leads. We continue to sign up
exhibitors, so if you have not yet been contacted and have interest,
please call Linda Matthews at the Chamber office, 255-1011 TODAY.
(See our Events
listing for more details.) If
you cannot exhibit, try to attend the show.
April 17th Business After Hours at Al's Place Café
Certainly a local landmark for many years, Al's Place Café
will be the location for the April 17th Business After Hours.
Christine Boccamazzo looks forward to meeting our members as she plays
hostess to this month's event. Please make your reservations as soon
as possible so we can let Christine know how many will be attending.
Flyer enclosed.
2002 Business Guides are Here!
Recently arrived at the Chamber is the newest, 2002 Business Guide
and Membership Directory! Once again Chamber Publishing did a
terrific job for us, and we want to get the directories into your hands
as soon as possible. We will be mailing to you individual copies under
separate cover. However, for those that would like multiple copies,
please call the Chamber to make arrangements. Copies are currently
available at the old Town Hall, Independence Hall, and all three town
libraries.
Exclusive
Advertising Opportunity
Our Shopping and Dining Guide will be underway shortly, and we are
making available to one advertiser, the back cover of this 8 ½" x
11" piece. This is the only advertising space available on the
brochure. We distribute 3,000 copies over a 12-18 month period. This
is a highly sought-after piece, so please call the Chamber office at
255-1011 if you would like to discuss the details.
Annual Arts & Crafts Show June 15 & 16
Yes, Chairman Max Becker and his assistants are gearing up for the
two-day annual Arts & Crafts event taking place on the Town
Hall Green on Saturday and Sunday, June 15th and 16th, from
10:00 a.m to 5:00 p.m. Over seventy-five artists are expected to
participate, with a variety of fine arts and crafts, ranging from
watercolors, oils & acrylics, photography, pottery, clothing,
jewelry, toys, furniture (both indoor and outdoor), to leather bags,
canvas totes and accessories, florals and more. Something to please all
tastes and price ranges.
Volunteers are needed for this event, so please contact the Fairfield Chamber office, 255-1011, and let Linda Matthews know you are available for a couple of hours either on Saturday or Sunday.
Welcome New Members for March!
For contact information, consult
our online Member Directory.
- Brightwork Group
- Forest Hills Pictures
- Greenfield Custom Grounds Management, LLC
- David Lerner Associates, Inc.
- Map Display, Inc.
- Professional Performance Enhancement