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ChamberWorks August 2002 |
» Past Issues |
» President's
Message
» By
the Sea, by the Sea, by the Beautiful Sea
» Free
Member Profiles
» The
Importance of Email
» Bridgeport
Bluefish Baseball
» Assistance
Program for Entrepreneurs
» Welcome
New Members!
President's Message
A few business items, then it's off for vacation. If you visited
the chamber web site recently, you should have noticed that our much
sought-after gift certificates are now available on-line. I urge all
our members to purchase the certificates on-line not only because it
helps our local businesses, but in fact it saves the chamber money
in time and effort to process the checks. Of course the certificates
are still available at the office if you have not yet mastered the
world wide web.
Continuing with the web site, the chamber is preparing to send information via the E-mail blast program which should be up and running in the next month or so. This will be our primary tool to inform and remind members of upcoming news and events. Further, starting in September, the home page will feature a member profile every other week. A picture and a headline on the chamber home page will link to a mini profile section of the business, offering our members great and free publicity! If you want your company to be profiled, send the information to the chamber office. These profiles will be handled on a first come, first served basis.
At the last board meeting we approved a marketing budget for the next year. In addition, an events calendar outlining projects for the next 18 months was approved. The objective of the marketing plan is " to broaden the visibility of the Chamber, its members and membership benefits through promotional materials, media exposure and events to facilitate new member recruitment and current member retention". On both fronts, we will be rewriting and redesigning membership brochures and materials, in addition to holding recruiting meetings and proactive retail breakfasts. The shopping and dining guide will be overhauled as well. Many thanks to Mr. Flatto for graciously footing half the bill for this guide.
In summary, the Chamber is hard at work promoting the best interests of its members. Our agenda continues to be for the well-being of our fair town and we are proud of our contributions. Enjoy the rest of your summer; we'll talk along the way!
Mark J. Hawkins
President
Fairfield Chamber of Commerce
By the Sea, by the Sea, by the Beautiful Sea
No one can deny that the venue was perfect for the July 22 event. Approximately 250 BRBC, Fairfield and Westport chamber members and their guests enjoyed the warm ocean breezes coupled with the hospitality and surrounding gardens of the Longshore Country Club. The outdoor cash bar set up under the shade of some nearby trees, along with a nice variety of hot and cold hors d'oeuvres served by uniformed waiters, created the perfect setting for an early evening of networking and socializing. This annual summer event is always a sell-out, and one that most members look forward to. The evening ended with the awarding of door prizes, and a number of folks left with gifts ranging from gift certificates for dinner to tickets to Huey Lewis at the Oakdale. All in all, the evening was a big success.
Free Member Profiles
Beginning in September, we are offering our members the chance to be profiled
for FREE on our web site on a first come, first served basis. We hope to have
individual member profiles available on the web site for at least two weeks
each. This would allow the total membership 24 profiles per year.
The chamber office does not know in detail the intricacies of each member business or those who are the primary contact at a business, so we ask that you send us this information now so that we can have our first profile on the web by September 1. Please keep these profiles to 300-350 words.
We feel this is a membership benefit that will also keep the chamber web site fresh. We ask that this not include blatant advertising, but offer some insight into who you are and what you are about. You may e-mail the information to us at info@FairfieldCTChamber.com. Feel free to include a photo that is pertinent.
The Importance of Email
The chamber's technology has come a long way, thanks
to the generosity of its members. Another improvement is on the way, but
we need your help and cooperation to make it happen.
We will be sending you most of the information you need to stay current with chamber news via E-mail. You will be receiving less information in print and more information by E-mail. This will allow the chamber staff to spend less time stuffing envelopes and more time on important chamber matters. It will also get you the information in a more timely manner (bulk mail is about as slow as it gets) and save the chamber money on postage.
Please remember to fill out the form that has been sent to you and fax it back to the chamber at 256-9990, or E-mail the information ASAP to info@FairfieldCTChamber.com.
Bridgeport Bluefish Baseball!
The Bridgeport Regional Business Council is an owner of a luxury skybox
at the Ballpark at Harbor Yard. The skybox is a private room that
overlooks the Ballpark with comfortable amenities, personal food
service, and enough seats to allow 20 people to watch a game in full
comfort and enjoyment.
BRBC would like to offer the opportunity of its use to our members who have an interest in purchasing the box tickets.
If any of our members have an interest, please call Stephanie Lindley from the BRBC who coordinates sales and date availability for the SkyBox. She can be reached at (203) 335-3800, extension 37.
Assistance Program for Entrepreneurs
The Town of Fairfield Assistance Program for Entrepreneurs is funded by
a $83,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban
Development (HUD). The program is intended to provide participants with
education, training, technical assistance, and capital, with the overall
goal of creating viable and productive small businesses in Fairfield.
To be eligible for assistance, the applicant must be a new or existing commercial enterprise which employs five or fewer employees, at least one of whom owns the enterprise . The business must be located in Fairfield and may be a sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation, or any other recognized form of business. Three grants have already been approved by a committee of four people appointed by the First Selectman.
If you are interested in finding out more about this program, call the Office of Community and Economic Development at 256-3120.
Welcome New Members for July!
For contact information, consult
our online Member Directory.
- Ellis Enterprises, LLC
- Entrepreneur's Source
- Porsche, Audi, Mercedes-Benz Of Fairfield
- Nationwide Floor & Window Coverings
- Salutations, Inc.
- Wiehl Holdings, LLC