CHAMBER OLD SAYBROOK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
April 2014
APRIL 2014 UPCOMING EVENTS:
April 1, 8:30 - 9am
“New England has everything, and in the years ahead more and more tourists will come to Old Saybrook, whether you want them to or not. And they will want places to sleep and to eat.” — Patrick McGinnis, president, New Haven Rail, 1955.
Home-Based Business Community Meeting @ Saybrook Pavilion
April 2, 5:30 - 7:30pm Special Business AfterHours @ Eastern CT Ballet-435 Boston Post Rd, East Lyme
April 17, 8am Ambassador Team Mtg @ Chamber
April 23, 11:30 –1pm Women in Business Council Luncheon @ Saybrook Point Inn
April 23, 6:30 - 8pm Young Professionals Group, location TBD
April 24, 5:30 – 7pm Chamber Connections @ VW of Old Saybrook cohosted by WBMW radio
April 30, 8am Board Meeting @ Chamber Office
SAVE THE DATE!
September 27 75th Anniversary Cruise Aboard Lady Katharine
Seventy five years ago, in July 1939, a handful of businessmen met in the basement of Town Hall for the first regular meeting of the Old Saybrook Chamber of Commerce. Discussion centered on recruiting members, and on strategies for attracting a bank to come to town. Seventy five years later, our membership is 500 strong and we remain equally committed to you, our members, and to the economic and civic vitality of our town, and our region. To mark this important milestone, the Chamber will celebrate with an evening cruise aboard the Lady Katharine on Saturday, September 27. A 75th Anniversary Committee is hard at work planning a very special event, with music by the Shiny Lapel Trio, dinner and more—sure to be a memorable affair!
As the Chamber sails into its seventy-fifth year, we would like to acknowledge our business community, civic leaders, and scores of volunteers who have ensured that this organization continues to thrive and to be an advocate for the community. Contact the office if you would like to volunteer on the Anniversary Committee, or if your business would like to participate in any way. Fun Facts: 1939—First Chamber Meeting: discusses a plan to schedule social meetings 1942—Chamber membership reaches 40 1961—First Chamber newsletter is published 1984—The Chamber mailing list is computerized 1994—OS Garden Club proposes Main Street median 2008—Chamber moves to One Main Street 2012—Chamber membership reaches 500 2014—The Chamber is on Facebook & Twitter
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Letter From Our Chamber President
Lori Woll, President Happy Spring Everyone! I thought I would use this month’s letter to highlight a few of the new goals and initiatives that the Board of Directors are working on this year. Some are immediate and some are more lofty and long term. As always, if any member is interested in being part of any committee we would welcome you, even if you can only give a little time each month. If there are any questions, thoughts or suggestions on the below, please feel free to reach out to Judy or myself. National Accreditation for the Chamber: This would be an ongoing multi-year process to complete, but would make the Old Saybrook Cham-
ber the first in Connecticut to be nation- fabulous volunteers, but we need more! ally accredited and recognized. This committee will work closely with the Chamber Connections: We want to reach office staff and the Ambassador Team to out to not only the member who joined, increase employee engagement and volbut also anyone that works in your or- unteerism for all of our Events (Art Show, ganization to participate and attend our Bowling, Chili Fest, Expo/Showcase, etc…). connections. We want to create a state- This committee would also work on how ment of why Connections is valuable for to show value to employers and employ“me” for owners/managers to share with ees for their engagement. their employees to increase employee engagement and attendance. We will work on creating an “Owner Expectations Check list” for anyone who wishes to host a Chamber Connections, so that they can make sure that they are getting the most out of hosting.
Education: This committee would look at offering small group educational workshops that can be offered throughout the year at Chamber Offices. The goal would be to have one per month and would be on relevant topics to small business owners/manager/employees.
Legislation/Town/EDC/Planning/Zoning: We would like to have a committee that would be able to inform and present to our members what is happening locally and in state government, new laws, new economic development, EDC issues, etc….
These are just some of what we are working on and again we can really use help at any level, so please let me know if any of you are interested in being part of one of these or our other committees.
Thank you and hope to see you at the next Volunteers / Engagement: event. Our chamber will only be successful with a strong base of volunteers and we have Lori
Board of Directors, Staff and Mission Statement Officers
President: Lori Woll, Octagon @ Mystic Marriott Vice President: Linda Brophy, Edward Jones Treasurer: Jay Mills, Oakley Wing Group Secretary: Elaine Beame, Beame Realty Past President: Kristen Roberts, Comcast
Directors
Heather Gagnon, Heritage Properties Ed Lombardi, Lighthouse Home Care Bence Strickland, The Day Angus McDonald, Angus McDonald/Gary Sharpe Bill McMinn, Essex Printing/Events Magazine Bob Bradley, New England Alliance Mortgage Peter Callahan, Fresh Perspectives Jessica DeRing, Apple Rehab Saybrook
Staff
Judy Sullivan, Executive Director Karen Pinette, Member Services Manager Meryl Tsagronis, Marketing Coordinator
Contact
www.oldsaybookchamber.com 860 388-3266
Mission Statement The Old Saybrook Chamber of Commerce is a member driven organization dedicated to enhancing the economic vitality and quality of life of Old Saybrook and its surrounding communities.
Old Saybrook Chamber of Commerce, PO Box 625, Old Saybrook, CT 06475 860-388-3266 www.oldsaybrookchamber.com
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JP’s Barber Shop
Jen Scott 79b Boston Post Rd, Westbrook 860 552-4357
Coastal Connecticut Media Mark Spehar 203 843-7885 www.coastctmag.com
The insiders Guide to the beautiful all-season CT Shoreline: east to Stonington & north to Essex
Essex Saybrook Antiques Village Janet Temple 954 Middlesex Turnpike, Old Saybrook 860 388-0689
Multi dealer antiques and consignment shop
Solari Brothers Carting LLC Dominic Solari 84 River Street, Old Saybrook 860 388-1081
Provides 10, 15 & 20 yard roll off container services for commercial, industrial & residential customers McCue Mortgage Company Deborah Vilcheck 860 526-1274 www.mccuemortgage.com/deborahv Mortgage Services
EZ Boat Club
Captain Bob Jankiewicz 860 304-8468 www.ez-boatclub.com Private membership boat club Abigail L. DeLisa LLC Abigail DeLisa 860 399-6107 www.abigaildelisa.com Professional skin care
Old fashion barber shop with a flair. We do scissors, clipper, flat top or fade—we listen to our customers!
BNI Shoreline
Anthony Tavella 203 915-0978 www.bnishoreline.com Our philosophy is “Giver’s Gain” and we invite you to join this referral network
Community Music School
Robin Andreoli 90 Main Street, Centerbrook 860 767-0026 www.community-music-school.org Offers Kindermusik programs; music therapy services, summer camp, musical theater and more!
Bouvier Insurance Kristin Rathbun 80 Halls Rd, Old Lyme 860 873-8606 www.binsurance.com
An independent, full service insurance agency FIT Ingenuity Marie Mozzi 843 822-0247 www.fitingenuity.com A personalized approach to enhancing your lifestyle from fitness, nutrition and overall wellness The Geenty Group Realtors Kristin Geenty 765 East Main Street, Branford 203 488-1005 www.geentygroup.com Commercial real estate brokers: investment/ residential. Serving the Shoreline in New Haven and New London counties.
Old Saybrook Chamber of Commerce, PO Box 625, Old Saybrook, CT 06475 860-388-3266 www.oldsaybrookchamber.com
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Women in Business Luncheon Series Anne Garland of Anne Garland Enterprises presents: Discovering Your Personality The Key to Understanding Others & Improving Relationships April 23, 2014 11:30 am-1pm @ Saybrook Point Inn Spa 2 Bridge Street, Old Saybrook Members $21.00 Non-Members $31.00 Registration and pre-payment required. Register online @oldsaybrookchamber.com
Cancellation Policy
Notice must be given at least two business days prior to the event. No shows or those unable to cancel in time will be billed. To cancel, please call 860 388-3266.
Tuesday April 1st 8:30-10:00am @ Saybrook Pavilion Please register online @ www.oldsaybrookchamber.com or call 860 388-3266 The Home Based Business Community (HBBC) invites you to attend our April 1st meeting. Jim Jackson of Connecticut’s Small Business Development Center offering confidential, no-cost business advice to both prospective and existing business owners to help them start or expand their business. Whether you are just starting out, experiencing growing pains or have a difficult business challenge, CTSBDC can help. We anticipate this presentation will be helpful to all in our HBBC. Many of you may know Jim as he is an active and longtime member of the Chamber. He and his wife, Isabel, own their home-based business, The Essex Group, a business and management consulting firm.
We want to thank our dedicated office volunteers! Your help is invaluable to us; whether it’s collating the inserts for the newsletter, greeting visitors or helping prepare for our many events. We appreciate your commitment to the Chamber!
Ellen Andreotis Gail Barber Freida Gorra
Kay Hall
Dean Richardson
Joanne Kelly
Lorraine Splain
Linda Knightly
Nancy Wahl
Old Saybrook Chamber of Commerce, PO Box 625, Old Saybrook, CT 06475 860-388-3266 www.oldsaybrookchamber.com
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From the Desk of the Executive Director Phew! We made it – Happy Spring! Soon the daffodils, tulips and pansies will be blooming again – you’ll see! Thanks to the many great chefs, restaurants, businesses, organizations and volunteers that made our 18th Annual Chili-Fest on Saturday st March 1 a huge success – our scholarship fund is a bit richer! It truly was a wonderful day – lots of enthusiastic tasters enjoyed gallons of chili and the weather was perfect – sunny and chili! It was terrific to have Full Power Radio broadcasting live from the Chamber Office on 106.5 WBMW and 94.9 News. Amazing how far technology has come – all they needed was a laptop and a speaker. Awesome. On March 12th our Women In Business Group enjoyed a wonderful luncheon at Saybrook Point Inn and was inspired by a thought-provoking presentation by leadership coach, Kay Wilson of Kay Wilson Coaching and Training. The presentation entitled ‘Women, Power & Influence” discussed how women entrepreneurs approach business challenges; how to convey competence; garner influence and build alliances. Feedback from attendees was excellent. Thank you Anne Garland for referring Kay to us! I attended Connecticut Business Day at the Legislative Office Building in Hartford on March 5th. Governor Malloy and elected officials discussed the business climate of the state with topics including state spending and taxes, infrastructure, workforce development and energy costs. The event was sponsored by the Connecticut Business & Industry Association. CBIA also announced the CT20x17 campaign. The goal of the campaign is to make Connecticut a top 20 state for business by 2017. We look forward to helping with this ef-
fort. To learn more visit www.CT20x17.org. Our 75th Anniversary Edition of our Business Directory and Community Guide (known to many as our ‘Guidebook’) is being finalized. We will be publishing 25,000 copies for Memorial Day. This full-glossy magazine-like publication promotes our member businesses and organizations as well as promotes our area as a great place to live, work and play. Look for your copy later in the spring. Save the Date! Saturday September 27th! We will be celebrating the Chamber’s 75th Anniversary in style – cruising aboard the Lady Katharine on the Connecticut River enjoying the sounds of the Shiny Lapel Trio!! WOW! A big thank you to the generous members who have stepped up to sponsor this very special event! Shore Publishing, Guilford Savings Bank, Beame Realty/Borak Law, Middlesex Hospital and Middlesex Community College. We are so grateful! Tickets go on sale soon – the cost is $100/pp – don’t delay – we will sell out quickly! Thanks to Shannon Timme and her committee for working to present a wonderful event. As you may or may not know, I keep a log of ‘you can’t write this stuff’ things that happen here at the chamber office. I made the following entry this week – I answered the telephone and the woman caller said, “Can you please help me?” I responded, “I’ll sure try.” Without hesitation or even any lead-in, she asked, “Can you tell me what time it is in Hawaii?” I kid you not.
Happy Spring, Judy
GETTING THE MOST OUT OF YOUR CHAMBER MEMBERSHIP A great benefit to an employer and their employees is to remember that your Chamber membership, including Chamber events, is for your whole company. The strength of a company lies within the assets. People are the greatest asset of the company. Team involvement builds camaraderie, loyalty and integration that is
vital for success. Remember to bring or send some of your staff to an upcoming Chamber event. The response is sure to be a positive one. Bob Bradley is a long-time member of the Chamber through New England Alliance Mortgage. He serves on the Board of Directors and the Ambassador Team.
Old Saybrook Chamber of Commerce, PO Box 625, Old Saybrook, CT 06475 860-388-3266 www.oldsaybrookchamber.com
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Follow us on Twitter @oschamber
and
Member To Member Rewards The Chamber is proud of our recently launched, Member Rewards Program. Local businesses want to support other local businesses and we now have a program to enhance these transactions. The Old Saybrook Chamber of Commerce is committed to helping members grow their businesses, cut costs and bring new customers through the door. Chamber membership guarantees access to these exclusive discounts from other Chamber members. By
taking advantage of such discounts,
In my opinion, the Chamber Dollar Program is a win-win for all involved. The customer purchases a product that has great flexibility and can be a wonderful gift item, the Chamber succeeds in promoting its members and the participating businesses receive superb exposure and another revenue stream at absolutely no cost. The Chamber’s reimbursement process is simple and fast. Win-win!! Len DiBella Luigi’s Restaurant 1295 Boston Post Road Old Saybrook, CT 06475 860 388-9190 www.luigis-restaurant.com
members can see a quick return on their membership investment. The program launched February 10th with offers from a variety of businesses including: Middlesex Eye Physicians, Shoreline PC, Before-n-After Dog Services, Quality Care Drug, Mike’s Deli & Restaurant and others! Contact the office at 388-3266 or
[email protected]
The Old Saybrook Chamber has introduced me to several valuable business contacts that I may not have had the opportunity in meeting otherwise. Being a member has great benefits, not to mention creating friendships. John Boucher Boucher Building and Construction 1271 Boston Post Road Suite 44 Old Saybrook, CT 06475 860 674-9498 www.boucherbuilding.com
Old Saybrook Chamber of Commerce, PO Box 625, Old Saybrook, CT 06475 860-388-3266 www.oldsaybrookchamber.com
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Newsletter Business Card Sponsors Kathy Callinan
John Boucher Mar, Apr, May
Annie Garland
Consider one of these great values: •Newsletter Color Sponsor Back Page : $200 (includes banner ad on our website for 1 mo) •Business Card Insert: $90 for 3 months •Newsletter Insert: $100 ($50 nonprofits) Call today: 860 388-3266
The Old Saybrook Chamber of Commerce has been invited by the Lyme-Old Lyme Chamber and the Eastern CT Chamber to join them on Wednesday, April 2nd. The Bowerbird and Eastern Connecticut Ballet are co-hosting a Business After Hours like none other. The event will be held at Eastern CT Ballet’s state-of-the-art facility in East Lyme. You will be able to enjoy a sneak peek of a new ballet entitled “Gershwin Suite” performed by ECB’s professionally trained youth company members.
Location: 435 Boston Post Rd, East Lyme Date / Time: Wed April 2nd / 5:30-7:30pm Cost: $10 per person/pre-registered $5 will apply to all walk-ins
The Bowerbird, celebrating 25 years, is widely known for its vast selection of Impulsive Necessities™ including decorative home and garden accessories, toys, baby gifts, stationery, jewelry and gourmet food. Complimentary hors d’oeuvres, wine, beer & soft drinks provided by the Old Lyme Inn will be served. An impressive array of door prizes will be offered!
To register, call the Eastern CT Chamber @ 860 701-9113
Chamber News Editor Judy Sullivan © April 2014, Old Saybrook Chamber of Commerce Old Saybrook Chamber of Commerce, PO Box 625, Old Saybrook, CT 06475 860-388-3266 www.oldsaybrookchamber.com
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PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID PERMITSTD 19 PRSRT OLDUS SAYBROOK, POSTAGE CT PAID
April 2014 PERMIT 19
OLD SAYBROOK, CT
Phone 860-388-3266 • www.oldsaybrookchamber.com Phone 860-388-3266 • www.oldsaybrookchamber.com
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Tues Apr 1 – Home Based Business Community @ Saybrook Pavilion 8:30 am
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Wed Apr 2 - Special Business AfterHours: The Bowerbird, Tues Apr 1 –Ballet Home Based Business Community Eastern CT & The Old Lyme Inn 5:30-7:30pm @ Saybrook Pavilion 8:30 am Wed Apr 16 —Young Professionals Mtg 6:30-8pm Wed Apr 2 - Special Business AfterHours: The Bowerbird, Thur Apr —Ambassador @5:30-7:30pm Chamber, 8am Eastern CT17Ballet & The OldMeeting Lyme Inn
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23—Women in Business Luncheon Wed Apr 16 —Young Professionals Mtg 6:30-8pm @ Saybrook Point Inn, 11:30—1pm Thur Apr 17 —Ambassador Meeting @ Chamber, 8am Thur Apr 24 – Chamber Connections @ Volkswagen of Wed Apr 23—Women Old Saybrook cohosted in byBusiness WBMWLuncheon 5:30 – 7pm @ Saybrook Point Inn, 11:30—1pm Wed Apr 30 – Board Meeting @ Chamber, 8am Thur Apr 24 – Chamber Connections @ Volkswagen of Old Saybrook cohosted by WBMW 5:30 – 7pm Wed Apr 30 – Board Meeting @ Chamber, 8am
April 2014
