Chamber Corners Departments

Chamber Corners: Upcoming Events

ACCGS
www.myonlinechamber.com
(413) 787-1555
• Nov. 5: ACCGS Speed Networking Breakfast, 7:15-9 a.m., at the Carriage House, Storrowton Tavern, 1305 Memorial Ave., West Springfield. Make 50 connections in an hour. Sponsored by United Personnel. Cost: $20 for members in advance, $25 for members at the door. Reservations may be made online at www.myonlinechamber.com.
• Nov. 12: ACCGS After 5, 5-7 p.m., at the Community Music School, 127 State St., Springfield. Enjoy great jazz, food, cash bar, and networking. Sponsored by Berkshire Bank, Heartfelt Fine Gifts, Springfield Symphony Orchestra, and the Republican/MassLive. Cost: $5 for members, $10 for general admission. Reservations may be made online at www.myonlinechamber.com.
• Nov. 12: ACCGS Super 60 Luncheon, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., at Chez Josef, 176 Shoemaker Lane, Agawam. Celebrate the top privately held, fastest-growing companies in our region, featuring a keynote address by Friendly’s CEO John Maguire. Sponsored by Health New England, Hampden Bank, WWLP-TV 22, and Zasco Productions. Cost: $50 for members, $70 for general admission. Reservations must be made by Nov. 7, and may be made online at www.myonlinechamber.com.
• Nov. 19: ACCGS Government Reception, 5-7 p.m., at the Carriage House, Storrowton Tavern, 1305 Memorial Ave., West Springfield. Seize this opportunity to meet with your local, state, and federal delegation in an informal setting. Cost: $50 for members, $70 for general admission. Reservations may be made online at www.myonlinechamber.com.
• Nov. 25: ACCGS Pastries, Politics, and Policy, 8-9 a.m., at the UMass Center at Springfield, 1500 Main St., 2nd floor. Featuring MassDevelopment President and CEO Marty Jones discussing “New Programs for Gateway Cities and the Effect on the Region.” Cost: $15 for members, $25 for general admission. Reservations may be made online at www.myonlinechamber.com.

AMHERST AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
www.amherstarea.com
(413) 253-0700

• Nov. 5: Chamber Breakfast, 7:15-9 a.m., at Applewood at Amherst, 1 Spencer Dr., Amherst. Guest speaker: Joanne Marqusee, president and CEO of Cooley Dickinson Health Care. Cost: $15 for members, $20 for non-members.
• Nov. 7: Lunch with the Chamber, noon to 1:30 p.m., at Johnny’s Tavern, 30 Boltwood Walk in Amherst. Join the chamber staff, a number of board members, and some fellow Amherst-area businesses for a complimentary networking lunch. This is a no-pressure way to get to know some of the benefits of joining the chamber. Join the chamber now, and receive $75 off 2014 membership rates. RSVP to (413) 253-0700.
• Nov. 13:
Social Media Pros and Cons, 12:30-2 p.m., at the Jones Library, Woodbury Room. For more information, contact the chamber at [email protected]. Free and open to the public. Bring your own bag lunch.

GREATER CHICOPEE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
www.chicopeechamber.org
(413) 594-2101
• Nov. 7: CheckPoint 2014 Legislative Symposium, 11:30 a.m., hosted by the Log Cabin Banquet and Meeting House, Holyoke. The Greater Westfield, Chicopee, Holyoke, and South Hadley/Granby chambers of commerce will bring legislative leaders from Washington, D.C. and Boston to Western Mass. State House Speaker Bob DeLeo, state Senate President-elect Stan Rosenberg, and U.S. Rep. Richard Neal have agreed to participate, along with the entire House and Senate delegations from the chambers’ cities and towns. Cost: $50 for members, $60 for non-members. Registration and networking begin at 11:30 a.m., with lunch from noon to 1:30 p.m. From 1:30 to 3 p.m., a panel discussion will ensue with the state delegation, with questions from the audience, followed by a cocktail reception, which area mayors and town administrators will also attend. To register, call (413) 568-1618.
• Nov. 13: Workshop 5 — Is Your Website Working For You?, 9-11 a.m. at the Hampton Inn, 600 Memorial Dr., Chicopee. “Learning to Read the Stats — Your Front Page — Relevant Content.” Cost: $20 for chamber members, $30 for non-members.
• Nov. 19: November Salute Breakfast, 7:15-9 a.m., at La Quinta Inn & Suites, 100 Congress St., Springfield. Cost: $20 for members, $26 for non-members.
• Dec. 4: Holiday Open House, 4:30-6:30 p.m., at the Chamber Office, 264 Exchange St., Chicopee. Sponsored by Charter Business. Free to attend for all members. RSVP requested.
• Dec. 11: Workshop 6: “Strategic Networking: Networking to Increase Profitability,” 9-11 a.m., at Days Inn, 400 Memorial Dr., Chicopee. Cost: $20 for members, $30 for non-members.
• Dec. 17: December Salute Breakfast, 7:15-9 a.m., at the Castle of Knights, 1599 Memorial Dr., Chicopee. Cost: $20 for members, $26 for non-members.

GREATER EASTHAMPTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
www.easthamptonchamber.org
(413) 527-9414

• Nov. 4. GRIST (Get Real Individual Support Today) meeting, 9-10 a.m. at the chamber office. Are you a business of one? Are you a small-business owner without your own marketing department? Do you ever wish you had someone to toss around some ideas with about growing your business? The GRIST group can help. It’s a new chamber member benefit, an ongoing small group for folks who want to meet regularly to share ideas and get advice on the daily challenges of running a successful business. Call Fran at (413) 529-1189 or Derek at (413) 282-9957 to find out more. In this session, Ruth Griggs of RC Communications will present “Marketing Planning 101.” No fee. RSVP requested.
• Nov. 5: Small Business Information Security Forum, 6 p.m., at Eastworks, 116 Pleasant St., Easthampton (first floor, community room). A reception will precede the panel discussion from 6 to 6:30, and light refreshments will be served. This event is free to any business owner or someone interested in starting a business. The purpose of the forum is to educate local merchants on best practices for protecting business information as well as customer information. Three panelists will give 15-minute presentations in their respective fields. The presentations will be followed by a question-and- answer period. Robert Bukowski of Capital Bankcard will cover topics relating to credit-card safety, including PCI compliance, protecting customer information, and protecting your business from stolen cards. Kurt Shouse, cybersecurity administrator from Florence Savings Bank, will present on the subject of cybersecurity, which refers to protecting computers, networks, programs, and data from unintended or unauthorized access, change or destruction. William Judd, vice president and cash management officer from Easthampton Savings Bank, will present on corporate account takeover, or CATO, an electronic crime to obtain credentials to online banking accounts. Attendees will have an opportunity to ask questions of the panel and will be provided with handouts with best techniques to stop cybersecurity attacks. RSVP via Facebook or contact the chamber office.
• Nov. 13: Networking by Night Business Card Exchange, 5 p.m. Tickets: $5 for members, $15 for future members. Contact the chamber at (413) 527-9414 or [email protected] for additional details.
• Nov. 18: GRIST (Get Real Individual Support Today) meeting, 9-10 a.m. at the chamber office. No fee. RSVP requested.
• Dec. 11: Holiday Dinner Dance 2014, 6 p.m. Details to follow. Comedy show, dinner, and the big raffle drawing for $5,000. Call the office to sign up for a table at (413) 527-9414.

GREATER HOLYOKE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
www.holycham.com
(413) 534-3376

• Nov. 5: “How to Start and Maintain Your Business: Insurance,” 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the executive conference room at the Holyoke Chamber, 177 High St., Holyoke. Series Sponsors: PeoplesBank, Common Capital, Mass Cultural Council/the Artery, in partnership with Holyoke Creative Arts Workshop. Learn what you need to know about liability, workers’ compensation, disability, health and unemployment insurance, automobile insurance, and property and loss of income. Led by Michael Regan of Goss & McLain Insurance. Cost: $20. To sign up, call the chamber at (413) 534-3376 or visit holyokechamber.com.
• Nov. 7: CheckPoint 2014 Legislative Symposium, 11:30 a.m., hosted by the Log Cabin Banquet and Meeting House, Holyoke. The Greater Westfield, Chicopee, Holyoke, and South Hadley/Granby chambers of commerce will bring legislative leaders from Washington, D.C. and Boston to Western Mass. State House Speaker Bob DeLeo, state Senate President-elect Stan Rosenberg, and U.S. Rep. Richard Neal have agreed to participate, along with the entire House and Senate delegations from the chambers’ cities and towns. Cost: $50 for members, $60 for non-members. Registration and networking begin at 11:30 a.m., with lunch from noon to 1:30 p.m. From 1:30 to 3 p.m., a panel discussion will ensue with the state delegation, with questions from the audience, followed by a cocktail reception, which area mayors and town administrators will also attend. To register, call (413) 568-1618.
• Nov. 18: “How to Start and Maintain Your Business: Financing Your Business,” 5:30-7:30 p.m., in the executive conference room at the Holyoke Chamber, 177 High St., Holyoke. Series sponsors: PeoplesBank, Common Capital, Mass Cultural Council/the Artery, in partnership with Holyoke Creative Arts. This workshop will explore loans, grants, and other types of funds; property and loss of income; and full-spectrum lending. Cost: $20. To sign up, call the chamber at (413) 534-3376 or visit holyokechamber.com.
• Nov. 19: Chamber After Hours, 5-7 p.m., at Slainte Restaurant, 80 Jarvis Ave., Holyoke. Great food, door prizes, 50/50 raffle, and the popular Ambassador Bake Sale. Cost: $10 for members, $15 for non-members. To sign up, call the chamber at (413) 534-3376 or visit holyokechamber.com.
• Dec. 2: “How to Start and Maintain Your Business: Accounting and Taxes,” 5:30-7:30 p.m., in the executive conference room at the Holyoke Chamber, 177 High St., Holyoke. Series Sponsors: PeoplesBank, Common Capital, Mass Cultural Council/the Artery, in partnership with Holyoke Creative Arts. This workshop with touch on what you need to save, how often taxes have to be filed, quarterly withholdings, accounting and bookkeeping, software, personal assets versus payroll management, and tax-increment financing. Cost: $20. To sign up, call the Holyoke Chamber at (413) 534-3376 or visit holyokechamber.com.
• Dec. 10: Holiday Business Breakfast, 7:30-9 a.m., at the Log Cabin Banquet and Meeting House, 500 Easthampton Road, Holyoke. Sponsored by Holyoke Gas & Electric, Health New England, Holyoke High School Madrigal Choir, and Bresnahan Insurance. Business networking while enjoying a hearty breakfast and sounds of the season. Cost: $22 for members in advance, $28 for non-members and at the door. To sign up, call the chamber at (413) 534-3376 or visit holyokechamber.com.
• Dec. 17: Chamber After Hours, 5-7 p.m., at the Delaney House. Business networking event includes a 50/50 raffle, door prizes, and money (scratch ticket) tree. Tickets: $10 for members, $15 for the public. To sign up, call the chamber at (413) 534-3376 or visit holyokechamber.com.

GREATER NORTHAMPTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
www.explorenorthampton.com
(413) 584-1900
 
• Nov. 5: November Arrive @ 5, 5-7 p.m., hosted by the Food Bank of Western Mass., 97 North Hatfield St., Hatfield. Sponsor: Homeward Vets. Cost: $10 for members, $15 for non-members.
• Nov. 12: “Creating an Online Marketing System,” 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., hosted by Greenfield Savings Bank, Community Room, 325 King St., Northampton. Sponsor: Tina Stevens 470. Speaker: Tina Stevens. Topics will include maximizing your online messages, effectively using calls to action, understanding the flow of search, setting goals and expectations, understanding the return on investment of online marketing, and developing a plan. Cost: $20 for members, $25 for non-members.
• Nov. 14: “Tips, Tricks, & Shortcuts,” 9-11 a.m., hosted by the Greater Northampton Chamber of Commerce, 99 Pleasant St., Northampton. Sponsored by Pioneer Training. Speaker: Don Lesser. This workshop will present our favorite tips, tricks, and shortcuts that we have collected and developed over 15 years of teaching and using Microsoft Excel. Cost: $20 for members, $25 for non-members.
• Dec. 10: Joint Chamber Mixer for Greater Northampton and Amherst Area chamber members, 5-7 p.m., hosted by the Lord Jeffrey Inn, 30 Boltwood Walk, Amherst. Sponsored by Florence Savings Bank. Cost: $10 for members, $15 for non-members.
• Dec. 15: New Member Orientation, 3-4 p.m., hosted by the Greater Northampton Chamber of Commerce, 99 Pleasant St., Northampton. This is the chance to tell us more about your business and how the chamber can best serve you. Cost: free.
 
GREATER WESTFIELD CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
www.westfieldbiz.org
(413) 568-1618
 
• Nov. 3: Mayor’s Coffee Hour, 8-9 a.m., hosted by Holiday Inn Express, 39 Southampton Road, Westfield. For more information, Call Pam at the Chamber office, (413) 568-1618.
• Nov. 7: CheckPoint 2014 Legislative Symposium, 11:30 a.m., hosted by the Log Cabin Banquet and Meeting House, Holyoke. The Greater Westfield, Chicopee, Holyoke, and South Hadley/Granby chambers of commerce will bring legislative leaders from Washington, D.C. and Boston to Western Mass. State House Speaker Bob DeLeo, state Senate President-elect Stan Rosenberg, and U.S. Rep. Richard Neal have agreed to participate, along with the entire House and Senate delegations from the chambers’ cities and towns. Cost: $50 for members, $60 for non-members. Registration and networking begin at 11:30 a.m., with lunch from noon to 1:30 p.m. From 1:30 to 3 p.m., a panel discussion will ensue with the state delegation, with questions from the audience, followed by a cocktail reception, which area mayors and town administrators will also attend. To register, call (413) 568-1618.
• Nov. 10: Speaker Series: “Common and Costly Employment-law Mistakes Made by Small Businesses” (part 2), 8-9:15 a.m. at the Genesis Spiritual Life & Conference Center, Westfield. Presented by Royal LLC. Cost: free to chamber members, $25 for non-members. For more information, call Pam at the chamber office, (413) 568-1618.
• Nov. 12: After 5 Connection, 5-7 p.m., hosted by Riverbend Medical Group, 395 Southampton Road, Westfield. Additional information to be posted as the event draws closer.
• Nov. 19: Annual Meeting & Awards Presentation, 5:30-8:30 p.m., at East Mountain Country Club, Westfield. Event Sponsor: United Bank. Cost: $50 for chamber members, $60 for non-members. To register, call Pam at the chamber office, (413) 568-1618.

SOUTH HADLEY/GRANBY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
www.shchamber.com
(413) 532-6451

• Nov. 7: CheckPoint 2014 Legislative Symposium, 11:30 a.m., hosted by the Log Cabin Banquet and Meeting House, Holyoke. The Greater Westfield, Chicopee, Holyoke, and South Hadley/Granby chambers of commerce will bring legislative leaders from Washington, D.C. and Boston to Western Mass. State House Speaker Bob DeLeo, state Senate President-elect Stan Rosenberg, and U.S. Rep. Richard Neal have agreed to participate, along with the entire House and Senate delegations from the chambers’ cities and towns. Cost: $50 for members, $60 for non-members. Registration and networking begin at 11:30 a.m., with lunch from noon to 1:30 p.m. From 1:30 to 3 p.m., a panel discussion will ensue with the state delegation, with questions from the audience, followed by a cocktail reception, which area mayors and town administrators will also attend. To register, call (413) 568-1618.