ChamberWorks
April 2003
 » Past Issues

 » President's Message
 » Visual Improvement Awards
 » Recap: Combined Business After Hours a Success!
 » Recap: Five Chamber Expo
 » Business Guide and Membership Directory
 » Westport Chamber Luncheon Presentation April 25
 » Casino Information Update
 » 'Business at the Speed of Life'
 » UConn Family Programs
 » Welcome New Members!

 
President's Message

The stock market showed a lack of resilience recently, dropping over 300 points -- this after 8 straight days of trending up. And with the Iraq War at full-tilt, a good bet is that we will see a roller coaster stock market for many more months to come.

With a lackluster economy, energizing your business takes ingenuity. One way to promote your company is to be more visible, more often. An efficient way to do this is by participating in the many business expos around the region. They offer an effective way to market your business to interested and prospective buyers, and you don't need to spend a lot of your advertising dollars on trade-show booths to get your message across.

The Five Chamber Business Expo, held March 19 at Norwalk Community College, is a fine example of a tabletop expo. Hundreds of people came to the sold-out show to network, talk, exchange business cards, and share ideas regarding their work. I was impressed at the quality of businesses represented at the expo, and am pleased that our chamber participates in this event.

There will be other expo opportunities later this year as well. For example, the town's Department of Community and Economic Development will sponsor a tabletop expo and networking event for small Fairfield businesses April 30 at the Fairfield Senior Center. Contact the Office of Economic Development at 256-3120 if you are interested in obtaining a booth. The Valley Chambers, BRBC, Milford and Fairfield will sponsor a larger expo at the William Pitt Center at Sacred Heart University on May 14. Booth space is available through our chamber office at 255-1011. Take advantage of these events, if you can.

There are only a couple of tickets left for the chamber's annual event to be held at the Patterson Club. It appears the event is well on the way to out performing last years rousing Casino Royale.

Take care; we'll talk along the way!

Mark J. Hawkins
President
Fairfield Chamber of Commerce

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Visual Improvement Awards

The annual Visual Improvement Program Awards will be held on Wed., May 7 at Nicholas H. Fingelly Real Estate, from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m.

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.

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Recap: Combined Business After Hours a Success!

The March 25 Business After Hours held at The Westport Inn was, once again, a great success! Over 125 people attended from both the Fairfield Chamber and the Westport Chamber, where they gathered to network in the atrium area. The hors d'oeuvres were delicious, and attendees were able to view the recent improvements made to the Inn.

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Recap: Five Chamber Expo

I am sure that those business people who were able to get down to the March 19 Expo were pleasantly surprised at the many attendees to the event. Exhibitors were pleased with the numbers, and definitely had an eager audience. Thank you to the following businesses that signed up through the Fairfield Chamber. Don't forget – tables for this event are not limited to chamber members only! So, if you are thinking of participating next year, let the chamber know as soon as you can. Thanks to: American Red Cross, CC&P Creative Services, Citibank, Companions & Homemakers, DeLara Communications, GE Financial Advisors, Kushions by Rosie, Lexco Security Systems, M Communications, Nutmeg Technologies, LLC, Sacred Heart University, 341 Studios, T-Mobile, Top Notch Training, University of Connecticut, Visual Transformations, Weichert Realtors, and Yellow Book USA.

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Business Guide and Membership Directory

The 2003 Fairfield Chamber of Commerce Business Guide and Membership Directory is on its way to you! Once again The Chamber Publishing Group produced for us this annual publication containing information about the Chamber and the town. The photos you see throughout the book represent historic Fairfield, in conjunction with the Fairfield Historical Society's anniversary celebration.

You can obtain additional copies of the directory for your office, customers, or clients, by calling the chamber office at 255-101 to arrange a convenient pick-up time.

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Westport Chamber Luncheon Presentation April 25

The Inn at Longshore will be the setting for a luncheon presentation by the Westport Chamber of Commerce featuring Dr. Nicholas Perna, Economic Advisor to Webster Financial Corporation. The title of Dr. Perna's presentation is "What's Ahead For The Economy: Rebound or Relapse?" Webster Insurance is the Corporate Underwriter for the event. Tickets are $45 per person. For further information or to make reservations, contact the Westport Chamber of Commerce at 227-9234.

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Casino Information Update

The following is a copy of written testimony submitted by Jeff Benedict, President of the Citizens Alliance Against Casino Expansion, on March 25 to the Environmental Committee in support of Raised Bill 1005. This bill addresses the issue of the state's environmental interest regarding future casino expansion. In the past, casinos have been built without being required to adhere to the same environmental laws as other state businesses. By copy of this newsletter, the Fairfield Chamber is asking for the support of chamber members with regard to this bill.

March 25, 2003

The Honorable Donald Williams, Chair
The Honorable Patricia Widlitz, Chair
The Honorable John McKinney, Ranking Member
The Honorable Clark Chapin, Ranking Member

Environment Committee
Legislative Office Building, Room 3200
Hartford, Connecticut 06106-1591

Re: Raised Bill 1005

Dear Committee Leaders:

I am writing to express support for Raised Bill 1005, An Act Concerning Environmental Impact Evaluations and Indian Tribe Compacts. This bill has the support of our organization's membership, which currently numbers in the thousands.

Raised Bill 1005 is grounded in the common sense notion that large-scale casino development projects should not receive a green light before undergoing some measure of environmental impact assessment. The Connecticut Environmental Protection Act (CEPA) mandates that any state project or state assisted project that would significantly impact the environment be subject to an environmental impact study. Yet Connecticut has seen the two largest casinos in the world emerge within its borders without exposure to the state's environmental standards. There is little doubt that these two casinos, which attract 60,000 motor vehicles per day, have had a significant impact on the environment.

Raised Bill 1005 is forward looking legislation that would protect the state's environmental interests with respect to any future casino expansion. It simply extends the state's current environmental standard requirements to state compacts. Under current law, a federally recognized tribe desiring to develop a casino must first execute a compact with the Governor. The compact does not become effective until submitted to the legislature for ratification. Raised Bill 1005 makes an environmental impact statement a predicate to the ratification of any casino compact. In other words, an environmental impact assessment would be required to be submitted as a prerequisite to compact approval.

This is sound environmental policy, one that will equip the legislature with important environmental facts and analysis during its deliberation process. I urge the committee's favorable consideration.

Very truly yours,
Jeff Benedict

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'Business at the Speed of Life'

Wednesday, May 14 is the date set for the upcoming Business Showcase 2003. Expected are 200 participating exhibitors. Best-seller author and motivational speaker Barbara Corcoran, NYC Corcoran Group founder, will lead off Business Showcase activities. 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. If you cannot exhibit, try to attend the show.

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UConn Family Programs

The UCONN Family Business Program presents a candid and interactive discussion with the winners from the 2002 Connecticut Family Business of the Year Awards on Wed., April 16, 5-8 p.m. at the Farmington Marriott. One of the five winning companies recognized is Bigelow Tea of Fairfield. Registration is $95 for the first person and $50 each additional reservation from the same company. To register call Priscilla Cale at (860) 486-5628, or e-mail pcale@business.uconn.edu.

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Welcome New Members for March!

For contact information, consult our online Member Directory.

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The fine print

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