By Barry Lee Cohen
Amity Chamber of Commerce
Barry Lee Cohen
The Amity Chamber of Commerce is holding its inaugural Amity Chamber Business Symposium and Expo on July 30 at Yale West Campus, located at 100 West Campus Dr. in Orange from 3:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.
On behalf of the chamber’s Board of Directors, we are deeply honored and excited that Gov. Ned Lamont will provide the keynote address to kick off what is planned to be an annual event.
Both the symposium and the expo are free and open to the public. Amity Chamber Corporate Partners, including The Milford Bank, Avangrid and Coastal Bridge Advisors, are sponsoring the event.
The public is encouraged to register for the event and bring colleagues, customers, friends and family. The diversity and depth of the program will delight, inform and engage attendees. Best-in-class presentations, combined with financial and small business resources, will equip participants with the knowledge and tools to enhance their business and increase their bottom line.
An eclectic expo floor will offer an outstanding mix of well-established and leading corporations, as well as iconic and rising star brands. From PEZ Candy, Jimmy John’s, 700 Degrees Pizzeria, and Duck Donuts, to Crest Lincoln of Woodbridge, Coldwell Banker Realty, the Regional Water Authority, and many more, an abundance of meaningful business knowledge, fun and collaboration is free and will not disappoint.
Directly after Lamont, the business symposium will feature state Comptroller Sean Scanlon on Connecticut’s economic outlook. Scanlon will provide a financial overview of Connecticut’s economy. The overview will include information on the state’s labor market, housing market, projections of the general fund, special transportation fund and budget reserve fund.
The MyCTSavings program will also be highlighted. The program was created to serve the more than 600,000 Connecticut private-sector workers who do not have a retirement savings plan offered through their employer. It’s easy, free and comes at no cost to employers or employees.
Diana Pagano will give a talk titled “Business Empowerment: Purpose-Driven Culture, Results-Driven Teams.” In today’s fast-paced business world, it’s not just about what you do – it’s about how you show up. In this powerful and practical session, Pagano, a mindset coach, will challenge you to rethink the way you work, lead, and serve. From increasing peak performance to cultivating a culture rooted in purpose and possibility, attendees will learn how to lead with clarity, define cultural standards and create an environment where both clients and teams thrive. Whether you’re a business owner, team leader or entrepreneur, this session will reignite your purpose and give you the tools to lead with power and possibility.
Kathy Boyle, president of Chapin Hill Advisors, will give a presentation titled “How to Meet 1,000 People at Lunch: Maximize Your Network for Success.” Featured on Bloomberg, Fox Business, CNBC and other media outlets, Boyle has built her entire business through networking. She will speak about the subject and provide strategies, tips and techniques on how anyone can build a fabulous network and translate those connections to more sales.
A panel discussion moderated by Jorge Santiago, president and CEO of The Milford Bank, will also be conducted. Further information on the panel discussion and each featured presentation is further detailed on the chamber’s website.
The expo portion commences at 5:30 p.m. and will include over 20 businesses and organizations that span automotive, public utilities, food and beverage, home improvement, finance and manufacturing. The expo has been purposely designed for networking with colleagues and friends, one-on-one discussions or bringing the family to explore leading businesses throughout the Amity region.
The Small Business Administration’s Connecticut district office, the state Department of Economic and Community Development and the Connecticut Small Business Development Center will be stationed throughout the expo floor for attendees to learn about free and low-cost resources available to assist with business plans, accessing capital and other great opportunities available to entrepreneurs and small businesses.
The expo further strengthens the chamber’s mission to offer differentiated value to our members while promoting and fostering economic growth to the communities we serve.
The Amity Chamber appreciates the generosity of Avangrid, The Milford Bank and Coastal Bridge Advisors, without whose financial backing this program would not be possible. All of our corporate partners, which also include Yale West Campus, Roebic Laboratories, Coldwell Bank Realty, M&T Bank and the Eagle Leasing Company, provide substantial operational and financial resources that are essential, offer exceptional expertise and tangibly demonstrate their shared commitment to nurturing business throughout the region.
To register for the Amity Symposium and Expo and view the full list of exhibitors, visit https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/pepxs74.
Although registration is not required, advanced registrations allow the presenters and panelists to best engage the attendees, and for expo exhibitors to ensure they are resourced with adequate supplies, samples or giveaways.
Barry Lee Cohen is the chief executive officer of the Amity Chamber of Commerce. Contact him at 203-645-2913 or director@amityctchamber.com.