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ChamberWorks September 2002 |
» Past Issues |
» President's
Message
» Chamber
Luncheon to Address Casino Issues
» September
Activity Fair
» The
Retail Initiative
» YMCA
Fundraiser
» October
Business After Hours Announced
» Why
Join / Renew Chamber Membership?
» Welcome
New Members!
President's Message
Now that summer is behind us, the Chamber has much to
do for the upcoming Fall and Winter season.
Beginning this month we will be hosting our first "super" recruiting effort at the Angus Steak House, Black Rock Turnpike. Robert Wool, permittee, has graciously provided his establishment to host our specialty membership dinner event. Our theme, "Away in Margaritaville" is meant to provide a jovial atmosphere, sing the praises of tequila and learn why being a chamber member is important. Since space is limited, I urge all members to call Linda as soon as possible.
As chamber associates, I feel strongly that each of us should promote the positive attributes of the chamber to fellow business acquaintances and friends in commerce. Building a strong volunteer organization will only enhance our business community making Fairfield a viable place to run a business. Likewise, we need volunteers for our Ambassadors program who are committed to revitalizing and growing our membership in order to reach our goal of a 550 members by next year. Kevin Lally and Patricia Ritchie are heading this effort, so once again I urge you to find out the benefits of being an Ambassador for the chamber.
And finally, I would like to add that within the next several months we will be advising our members of the pending efforts by the city of Bridgeport to build a casino just a short distance from our town. I can't think of a bigger issue affecting the character of this town and the business community at large. Traffic issues notwithstanding, there is strong evidence that supports the deleterious effects casinos have on surrounding towns and municipalities. We will be fortunate to have Jeff Benedict, author of Without Reservation, speak to us November 6 on this contested topic.
School is back in session, so drive carefully and remember the students! We'll talk along the way!
Mark J. Hawkins
President
Fairfield Chamber of Commerce
Chamber Luncheon to Address Casino Issues
"The problem is a lot more than traffic." So says Jeff Benedict, a nationally acclaimed author of Without Reservation, the controversial book about the "Indian tribe that rose to power and built the world's largest casino." (Foxwoods)
Mr. Benedict, an investigative journalist with a law degree, has been invited to speak at a noon luncheon before the general public on Wednesday, November 6, at the Patterson Country Club in Fairfield. When Jeff wrote his book, he focused on the issue of tribal recognition. However, since the book was published two years ago, he has found there are other things to consider, like where will the 10,000 or so workers needed to run a three-shift casino come from? How will a nearby casino impact the ability for local business to attract a workforce? Can small businesses compete with the benefits packages offered to casino workers? Will local restaurants and entertainment venues be affected? Is the workforce that runs the casino able to find affordable housing in the area? What is the impact on the school system, the public works systems, the property tax rolls? What social ills come from a nearby casino? How is the police force, the fire department, and ambulance service impacted?
Did you know that the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) has set forth seven criteria for tribal recognition, and do you know what they are? What exactly does the term sovereign nation mean?
Because so many know so little about the tribal recognition process and actual impact of a casino in the region, the Fairfield Chamber of Commerce is inviting those who live, work or do business in Fairfield County to come to the Patterson Country Club, 1118 Cross Highway, Fairfield, at noon on Wednesday, November 6 and get answers to these and other questions that should be asked in order to make an educated decision about the efficacy of a third Connecticut casino. This is a timely issue since the Golden Hill Paugussetts have applied for federal recognition which is expected to result in a casino in Bridgeport. Please get your reservations in early since we are expecting a capacity crowd. The cost is $35 payable to the Fairfield Chamber of Commerce. Call the chamber office at 203-255-1011 to reserve your place.
September Activity Fair
Your Fairfield Chamber of Commerce will be participating in the
Welcome Club's Activity Fair being held on Saturday, September 21st from 9:30
a.m. until 12:30 p.m. at the Fairfield Public Library. In addition to Welcome
Club representatives, a number of other town organizations will be present to
inform the public of their community-oriented programs.
The Retail Initiative
Retail marketing is back! While most people have been sitting in front
of room air conditioners, Diane Melish has been out in the heat,
soliciting free ads from 80+ retail members to be
incorporated into a directory that will be given (along with a sports
water bottle with chamber logo) to approximately 1,000 incoming
Fairfield University undergraduates on Sunday, September 1.
Additionally, 3,000 visitors are expected to attend the upcoming Historical Society exhibit, Fashion in Miniature: Les Petites Dames dé Modé, beginning September 7. With the help of Mary Ellen McLean, visitors to the nationally acclaimed show will also receive copies of the directories. Thank you Diane and Mary Ellen for all your hard work in making this promotion happen.
YMCA Fundraiser
On Friday evening, September 20, the Center for the Performing Arts at
Sacred Heart University will be the location for a fund-raising
performance by famed Saturday Night Live comedienne Victoria Jackson.
This is the Central Connecticut Coast YMCA's 4th Annual StarNite
event. Monies raised provide financial assistance for YMCA programs,
childcare, camp and membership activities. $35 per ticket. For tickets
contact the Box Office at (203) 374-2777.
October Business After Hours Announced
Miguel Tomasio of Taco Loco is pleased to host our October 24th Business
After Hours at his restaurant located at 3170 Fairfield Avenue, in
historic Black Rock, Bridgeport. Last year's event brought out a
number of members and non-members to this festive eatery for some
networking and refreshments. For further information contact the
Fairfield Chamber at 255-1011, or complete and return the enclosed flyer
as soon as possible.
Why Join / Renew Chamber Membership?
Much has happened in the past few months to make your membership in the
chamber even more important. The chamber is starting to grow again with
the help of the local papers. The monthly ChamberWorks column in The
Fairfield Citizen-News has provided more visibility for the chamber
while the number of press releases on various chamber-sponsored events
has increased the number of inquiries and subsequently the number of new
memberships.
Sales of the chamber gift certificate have tripled in the past three years. In addition to purchasing the certificate at the chamber office during chamber hours, the program has been enhanced by allowing the consumer the opportunity to purchase the certificate 24 hours a day, seven days a week via the internet, fax and phone. The program is designed to support local businesses and the community itself by keeping the money in Fairfield.
Because of the effort of our volunteer members, we have had a number of successful fundraisers. The wine tasting and silent auction was attended by 165 people from as far away as Greenwich; the casino night at the Patterson Club raised more money than any previous fundraiser in recent history; and the arts and crafts show raised additional funds to be used in the chamber's marketing effort.
Business Expo at the Norwalk Community College has become the bell weather by which all other expos are measured. Each of the five participating chambers sold the maximum number of booth spaces, and every chamber had a stand-by list. And attendance was way up over prior years. The William Pitt Center hosted the Super Business Expo in May, which was also well attended and will be repeated next year.
The newly elected, very enthusiastic, slate of officers anticipates another successful year. While much has been accomplished, we need your continued support to keep the momentum growing.
As we prepare to produce our newest Business Directory and Membership Guide in the near future, keeping your membership current will insure that the business community is aware of your commitment.
Welcome New Members for August!
For contact information, consult
our online Member Directory.
- Automatic Door Co.
- Cindi Bigelow
- Katherine Burgess Designs
- Long Term Planning Assoc., LLC
- Staples #158