EMPLOYMENT

Courtney A. Simmons, of Lyme, has joined the Boston law firm of Davis, Malm & D'Agostine, P.C. Simmons assists clients in commercial litigation and real estate disputes. Prior to joining Davis Malm, she served as a Law Clerk in Massachusetts. Simmons received a J.D. from Boston University School of Law and a B.S. from the University of Delaware.

Gina Mello has joined the Chamber of Commerce of Eastern CT as Administrative Assistant. Mello was hired full-time by the Chamber following a summer internship in which she reviewed and updated online business directory profiles for the Chamber's entire membership database. In her role as Administrative Assistant, Mello will help coordinate programming and events between Chamber staff and the public, as well as help ensure the smooth operations of the Chamber office.

WORKSHOPS

The Chamber of Commerce of Eastern CT will present a workshop about "Time Management and Juggling Priorities" on Wednesday, Sept. 13, 4:30-5:30 p.m. at the Chamber's office, 914 Hartford Turnpike, 2nd floor, Waterford. Workshop presenter Lesley Ingves of Clear Pathway LLC will share insights on how to maximize your on-the-job effectiveness and multiple your daily results, all while working within your personal "Function-ality." Admission is free for employees who work for a business that belongs to the Chamber of Commerce of Eastern CT. Non-member admission is $10. Learn more and register at www.ChamberECT.com/events or call (860) 701-9113.

SCORE will host the following workshops:

“What You Need to Know About Bank Loans: Demystifying the Process” Wednesday, Sept. 12, 5–6:30 p.m., Webster Bank, 130 Westbrook Road, Essex. Presenter is Webster Bank Vice President and SBA Relationship Manager Joanne LoPresti Miller.

"Introduction to Google Ads 2018," Thursday, Sept. 13, 9:30–11 a.m., Madison Senior Center, 29 Bradley Road, Madison. Presenter is Internet Marketing Consultant Deborah Norton. Sponsored by Essex Savings Bank.

"The ABCs of a Business Plan and Understanding a SWOT Analysis," Tuesday, Sept. 18, 5:30-7 p.m., Westbrook Public Library, 61 Goodspeed Drive, Westbrook. Presenter is Economic Development Specialist Lisa Powell of the Small Business Administration.

“How to Use QuickBooks to Manage Your Business Finances (I),” Thursday, Sept. 20, 10–11:30 a.m., Chester Town Hall, 203 Middlesex Ave., Chester. Presenter Elizabeth Santaus; sponsor Essex Savings Bank.

“Simple Steps for Starting Your Business” series on Wednesdays, Sept. 26 and Oct. 3, 10, 24 and 31, 5:30–7:30 p.m., Acton Public Library, 60 Old Boston Post Road, Old Saybrook. For more information, visit https://sect.score.org/simple-steps-starting-your-business.

“Cost, Price and Profit,” Thursday, Sept. 27, 9:30-11 a.m., Old Saybrook Town Hall, 302 Main St. Presenter is SCORE mentor Eric Munro; sponsored by Guilford Savings Bank.

For more information, contact Anne Driscoll at anne.driscoll@scorevolunteer.org.

NETWORKING

The Chamber of Commerce of Eastern CT will host a “Chamber 101: Membership Benefits” workshop on Tuesday, Sept. 18, 8-9:30 a.m. at the Chamber’s office, 914 Hartford Turnpike, 2nd floor, Waterford. Guests are encouraged to bring a laptop or mobile device. Admission is free, but an RSVP is requested. Register at www.ChamberECT.com/events or call (860) 701-9113. Light refreshments and coffee will be provided.

The Chamber of Commerce of Eastern CT’s next Business After Hours networking event will take place Wednesday, Sept. 19 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Inn at Mystic, 3 Williams Ave. Admission is $15 for Chamber of Commerce of Eastern CT members, $25 for non-members. RSVP in advance to avoid paying an additional $5 fee for walk-ins at www.ChamberECT.com/events or call (860) 701-9113.

The Chamber of Commerce of Eastern CT will host a Business Breakfast with Sen. Chris Murphy on Monday, Sept. 17 from 7:45 to 9:15 a.m. at Holiday Inn – Norwich, 10 Laura Boulevard, sponsored by We Work for Health CT. Chamber member admission is $17 and includes breakfast provided by Holiday Inn. Non-member admission is $25. RSVP in advance to avoid an additional $5 walk-in fee at www.ChamberECT.com/events or call (860) 701-9113.

Ignite, a program of Thames River Innovation Place, and BioCT Innovation Commons will host a special information session with Accelerator for Biosciences in Connecticut on Thursday, Sept. 13. ABCT will share information on the program and the upcoming application process. The event will take place from 4:30–6:30 p.m. at BioCT Innovation Commons, 93 Shennecossett Road, Groton, CT. This event is free, but registration is requested at https://abct2018infosessionbioctcommons.splashthat.com/.

EVENTS

The Chamber of Commerce of Eastern CT's Annual Sea Jet Cruise & Dessert Showcase will be held Wednesday, Sept. 12, sailing from Cross Sound Ferry Services, 2 Ferry St., New London, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Desserts from Mohegan Sun, Cake by Franck from Foxwoods Resort Casino, Ivy’s Simply Homemade, Flanders Fish Market, and the Celiac Epicurean. Pasta Vita at Mohegan Sun will provide hors d’oeuvres. Admission is $30 per person, required in advance, and includes hors d’oeuvres, desserts, and complimentary beverages. Walk-ins will not be admitted. Register for the cruise at www.ChamberECT.com/cruise or call (860) 701-9113. The Presenting Sponsor is Atlantic Broadband. Additional support comes from Community Concierge and Travelport Hotelzon.

The Greater Norwich Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Healthy Living Festival will be held Saturday, Sept. 15 from 10 a.m.–2 p.m. at Dodd Stadium, 14 Stott Ave., Norwich. Local health-related business interested in participating can call (860) 887-1647, email info@norwichchamber.com or visit www.norwichchamber.com.

HONORS

Rite-Solutions, which has an office in Pawcatuck, has been named a finalist for the 2018 Learning In Practice awards presented by Chief Learning Officer magazine. Now in its 16th year, the Learning In Practice Awards recognize industry leaders who have demonstrated excellence in the design and delivery of employee development programs. Judges determined that Rite-Solutions’ nomination, based on a workforce development initiative created for a leader in the aerospace industry, was one of the top entries in the Excellence in Blended Learning category. As a finalist, Rite-Solutions has won either a gold, silver or bronze award and will be recognized during a special reception on Tuesday, Oct. 2, at the Fall CLO Symposium Plus in Houston, Texas.

The Chamber of Commerce of Eastern CT is seeking nominations for its annual Social Service Awards. One outstanding citizen will be recognized with the new SAVA Insurance Group Guided by Heart Award, which honors someone who leads with their heart, who treats others with respect and compassion, and who expects nothing in return. Additional awards will be presented to a volunteer of the year, staff member of the year, executive director of the year, and board member of the year. Honorees will be recognized at the Chamber’s annual Business Breakfast Honoring Social Service Agencies on Nov, 30 at Holiday Inn, 10 Laura Boulevard, Norwich). Start your nomination by visiting www.ChamberECT.com/events or call (860) 701-9113.

The Chamber of Commerce of Eastern CT is seeking nominations for its annual Military Community Support Award. The recipients will be honored at the Chamber’s 9th Annual Military Appreciation Breakfast on Nov. 2 at Mystic Marriott Hotel & Spa. Nominated businesses must belong to the Chamber of Commerce of Eastern CT. Self-nominations are allowed. Nominations close on Sept. 28 at 5 p.m. Get started at www.ChamberECT.com/events or call (860) 701-9113.

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