The Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut has organized two January Tourism Marketing Boot Camps for eastern Connecticut tourism-related businesses. The first is 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Jan. 22 at the Hilton Mystic, 22 Coogan Blvd, Mystic. The second is 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Jan. 30 at Quinebaug Valley Community College, 724 Upper Maple St., Danielson.

The morning will feature 45-minute seminars on important topics including mobile technology strategies, effective use of video and Google Analytics.

Presenters include experts from Julia Balfour LLC, Seasites Inc., and Miranda Creative Inc.

To register, visit www.ChamberECT.com/bootcamp.

The Inn at Harbor Hill Marina in Niantic has been selected as a Top 10 U.S. B&B for 2014 by BedandBreakfast.com.

The Inn at Harbor Hill Marina, owned by Sue and Dave Labrie, is recognized as a top inn providing the best travel experience in this category. The Inn at Harbor Hill Marina is also a member of BedandBreakfast.com's Diamond Collection, an exclusive group of professionally inspected and guest-reviewed luxury inns.

BedandBreakfast.com is the most comprehensive global site for finding bed and breakfast properties around the world, with more than 11,000 properties worldwide.

More inn information is available at www.innharborhill.com or by calling (860) 739-0331.

Washington Trust's Commercial Real Estate Group recently provided $3.4 million to 275 Monroe LLC for the refinancing of a Walgreens drugstore at 275 Monroe Turnpike in Monroe.

The 2-acre property sits on a corner lot with excellent visibility from Route 111, one of two major thoroughfares that traverse the Town of Monroe. The building provides customers with 14,560 square feet of retail space including a pharmacy drive-through window.

Walgreens is the largest drugstore chain in the U.S.

CorePlus Federal Credit Union will host a free Home Buyer Seminar from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Jan. 29 at the financial institution's Norwich branch, 202 Salem Turnpike.

Led by Mortgage Team Leader Barbara Zendzion, the seminar will feature a presentation of "Home Buyer" basics for first-time home buyers, people interested in downsizing or expanding due changing a family situation, or vacation home purchasers.

Also on hand will be local realtors, home insurance providers and real estate attorneys to answer additional questions.

RSVP to RSVP@coreplus.org, call (860) 886-0576 x 3171 or stop by any CorePlus branch to register.

Allison Keefe, director of outpatient revenue at UCFS, was appointed to the National Government Services Inc. website redesign steering committee.

Dave Marshall, National Government Services vice president and general manager of government administrative contracts, said a panel of nine Medicare providers from multiple jurisdictions and lines of business were chosen to offer insight based on their claims and operational challenges and experience.

"This steering committee has been instrumental in the content, design and overall functionality of our website, NGSMedicare.com," he added.

Improvements made to the NGSMedicare.com website will allow NGS to serve their providers better and create efficiencies that do not exist today.

The Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut and MetroCast are hosting a luncheon at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 20, at Holiday Inn in New London.

Cheryl Casone of FOX Business Network will provide insight into financial trends that will impact businesses in 2015 while guests enjoy a hot lunch buffet. Casone joined Fox Business Network in September 2007 as an anchor. She also serves as a financial contributor on FOX News Channel, and provides weekly job reports.

Admission is $10 for Chamber members and $15 for non-members. Visit www.ChamberECT.com/events to learn more and register.

Joseph Strazzo of Strazzo Consulting LLC has completed a five-week "Platform to Employment" course sponsored by The Workplace. The course is designed to address the needs of those who are seeking to re-enter the workforce after a period of unemployment.

Participants are provided assistance through coaching, job search strategies, resumes/cover letters and interview skills. At the conclusion of the preparatory program, participants can be placed in a paid work program for up to eight weeks.

The next class begins Feb. 9 and will be held at Three Rivers Community College. There is no charge for qualified participants. For further information, visit www.platformtoemployment.com

U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney will provide a Congressional Update at a Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut Business Breakfast from 7:45-9 a.m. Friday, Jan. 23, at the Holiday Inn, 10 Laura Blvd., Norwich.

Sponsored by Norwich Public Utilities and the Connecticut Municipal Electric Energy Cooperative, the event will feature remarks by Courtney on his goals and plans for eastern Connecticut in the coming session, as well as his reflections on the successes and challenges of the past year.

Admission is $17 for members and $25 for non-members, with a $5 fee is applied to all walk-ins. Register and learn more online at www.ChamberECT.com/events.

Jim Bates, an Edward Jones financial adviser in Mystic, has accepted an invitation to become a limited partner in The Jones Financial Cos., the holding company for the St. Louis-based financial services firm.

Edward Jones employs nearly 40,000 associates in all 50 states and through its affiliate in Canada. This year marks the 40th anniversary of the firm's first partnership offering - and today Edward Jones has expanded the partnership to more than 20,000 limited partners.

The Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut is holding an open house from 4 to 7 p.m. Jan. 23 to celebrate the third anniversary of Generators On Demand.

RSVP to jstevenson@generatorsondemand.com. Generators On Demand is located at 61-1 Buttonball Road in Old Lyme.

Peter M. Gioia, an economist and vice president of the Connecticut Business & Industry Association, will speak about "The Current Condition and Future Outlook for the Connecticut Economy" at a quarterly membership meeting Wednesday, Jan. 28, of the Builders & Remodelers Association of Eastern Connecticut at Holiday Inn of Norwich.

Cost is $25 for association members and $30 for nonmembers.

Gioia manages CBIA's research department, which provides in-depth economic and policy analyses, and survey research assistance to CBIA's legal, insurance and human resources divisions and to member companies. The department also provides association members with international trade information.

For information and to register no later than Jan. 26, call (860) 859-3518 or visit baec.net.

Project Oceanology has named Rosanne Smyle of Stonington as development director. A former writer and editor at The Day, Smyle's responsibilities include generating development and marketing campaigns for the marine education center headquartered at Avery Point on the campus of the University of Connecticut.

More than 25,000 students and adults annually explore marine life aboard Project O's Enviro-Lab research vessels that travel to Fishers Island Sound and Long Island Sound for school science programs, summer ocean camps, seal and eagle watches and lighthouse cruises.

Entering its 43rd year of offering memorable marine field trips for two generations of students, Project O is a nonprofit organization operated by an association of public and private schools, colleges and universities. For more information, call (860) 445-9007 or visit www.oceanology.org.

Academy Point at Mystic and Atria Crossroads Place in Waterford were singled out as the two top "Caring Stars of 2015" in New London County based on reviews from older adults, family caregivers, and industry experts on Caring.com.

In all, 805 assisted living and Alzheimer's care communities across the nation were named to this year's list of the most-acclaimed facilities.

Caring.com is a leading senior care website with 2.5 million unique visitors monthly and 70,000 consumer reviews.

Any assisted living or Alzheimer's care community listed in the Senior Care Directory on Caring.com is eligible for the Caring Stars award. To view the complete list, visit http://www.caring.com/bestseniorliving.