Chamber Corners Departments

Chamber Corners: Upcoming Events

AFFILIATED CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE OF GREATER SPRINGFIELD
www.myonlinechamber.com
(413) 787-1555
 
• Jan. 28: January 2015 Lunch & Learn, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Springfield College (Dodge Room in Flynn Campus Union), 263 Alden St., Springfield. The event topic is “Question 4: Mandated Sick Leave … Now What?” presented by Skoler, Abbott & Presser, P.C. Core concepts discussed include who is eligible and who isn’t, what it means for your workforce, and the subtle nuances of the law. Sponsored by Skoler, Abbott & Presser, P.C. Tickets are $25 for members, $35 general admission. For more information, contact Sarah Mazzaferro at (413) 755-1313.
 
• Feb. 4: Business@Breakfast, 7:15-9 a.m., at Crestview Country Club, 281 Shoemaker Lane, Agawam. Featuring: “You’re a Piece of Work! Celebrate Joy, Passion, and Influence,” presented by Dr. Steve Sobel, humorist and motivational speaker. Saluting: FIT Solutions — 10th anniversary; GZA GeoEnvironmental — 50th anniversary; and Shriners Hospitals for Children — 90th nnniversary. Sponsored by United Personnel. Reservations are $20 for members (in advance, $25 members at the door), $30 general admission. Reservations may be made online at www.myonlinechamber.com.
 
• Feb. 12-March 26: Leadership Institute 2015, to be staged Thursdays, 1-4:30 p.m., between Feb. 12 and March 26. The opening session will be held at Sheraton Springfield, One Monarch Place, Springfield, and all remaining sessions will be held at TD Bank Conference Center, 1441 Main St., Springfield. In partnership with Western New England University, this seven-week program is designed to teach mid- and upper-level managers the crucial thinking and problem solving skills needed to enable them to be effective leaders in service to the community and in their workplaces and designed to develop high energy and high involvement leadership. Sponsored by MassMutual with scholarship support from the Irene E. and George A. Davis Foundation. For information, contact Kara Cavanaugh at [email protected].
 
AMHERST AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
www.amherstarea.com
(413) 253-0700

• Jan. 29: Chamber After 5, 5-8 p.m., at artALIVE, 35 South Pleasant St., Amherst. Ever try a Wine & Paint night? Here’s your chance to do so. Don’t know how to paint? Who cares, neither do we. We’re all on the same level, folks — that’s why we will have an instructor. Admission is $20, and the price includes wine and two and a half hours with a personal instructor.
 
GREATER CHICOPEE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
www.chicopeechamber.org
(413) 594-2101
 
• Jan. 28: January Business After Hours,  5-7 p.m., at H & R Block, 1475 Memorial Dr., Chicopee. Tickets are $10 for members, $15 for non-members.

• Feb. 11: CEO Luncheon, 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. Hosted by Collegian Court Restaurant, 89 Park St., Chicopee.
Tickets are $25 members, $30 for non-members.

• Feb. 18: February Salute Breakfast & Annual Meeting, 7:15-9 a.m., at the MassMutual Learning & Conference Center, Chicopee. Tickets are $23 for members, $29 for non-members.
 
GREATER EASTHAMPTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
www.easthamptonchamber.org
(413) 527-9414
 
• Feb. 9: Getting Down to Business about Business, 8-9 a.m., on the second Monday of each month.  Mayor Karen Cadieux will be hosted by one of Easthampton’s businesses for casual question-and-answer sessions.
 
• Feb. 14: Second annual Easthampton WinterFest, starting at 11 a.m. The Nashawannuck Pond Steering Committee and Greater Easthampton Chamber of Commerce invite you to the second annual Easthampton WinterFest. This community-wide event features family-friendly winter activities held throughout the day, featuring an historical ice harvest on Nashawannuck Pond, horse-drawn wagon rides, snowshoeing, snow sculpture, a chili cook-off, a community bonfire, and much more. There will also be winter-themed indoor activities for all ages. Most events are free or by donation. A lineup of the day’s events will be posted on www.nashawannuckpond.org.
 
GREATER HOLYOKE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
www.holycham.com
(413) 534-3376
 
• Jan. 30: Legislative Coffee Hour, 7:45-9 a.m., at the Summit View Banquet House, 500 Northampton St., Holyoke. Speakers will be state Sen. Donald Humason and state Rep. Aaron Vega. Tickets are $25 for members with reservations, $35 for non-members and at the door. Price includes a continental breakfast.
 
• Feb. 3: “How to Start and Maintain Your Business: Staff – Hiring and Firing,” 5:30-7:30 p.m., at the chamber conference room. This program, the latest in a series, will provide all you need to know about employee handbooks, insurance, performance evaluation, job descriptions, sexual harassment, sensitivity training, and human resources. Tickets are $20. Series sponsors: PeoplesBank, Common Capital, Mass Cultural Council/the Artery in partnership with the Holyoke Creative Arts. Call the chamber at (413) 534-3376 or sign up online at holyokechamber.com.
 
• Feb. 18: Chamber After Hours, 5-7 p.m. Business networking event includes complimentary appetizers, 50/50 raffle, and door prizes. Sponsored and hosted by Gary Rome Hyundai, 1000 Main St., Holyoke. Tickets are $10 for members, $15 for the public. Call the chamber at (413) 534-3376 or sign up online at holyokechamber.com.
 
• Feb. 24: “How to Start and Maintain Your Business: Marketing Your Business,” 5:30-7:30 p.m., at the chamber conference room, 177 High St. This program, the latest in a series, will provide all you need to know about designing a logo, branding your business, advertising opportunities, social media, and developing a website. Tickets are $20. Series sponsors: PeoplesBank, Common Capital, Mass Cultural Council/the Artery in partnership with Holyoke Creative Arts. Call the Holyoke chamber at (413) 534-3376 to sign up or online at holyokechamber.com.
 
GREATER NORTHAMPTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
www.explorenorthampton.com
(413) 584-1900

• Jan. 27: New Member Orientation at Northampton Chamber of Commerce, noon to 1 p.m. This is the chance to tell us more about your business and how the chamber can best serve you, meet other new members, and learn how to make to the most of your chamber membership. RSVP to (413) 584-1900 or [email protected]. Cost: free.

• Feb. 6: Google Docs for Nonprofits Workshop, 9-11 a.m., at the chamber office, 99 Pleasant St., Northampton. Presented by Pioneer Training. The class is an introduction to Google Docs and Google Drive, the online storage location for Google Docs. Since this software is available at no cost, many non-profit organizations are using it extensively for collaboration purposes and to supplement or even replace Microsoft Office. In this two-hour workshop, you’ll learn how to set up a local Google Drive folder, which automatically synchronizes with Google Drive on the Web.  You’ll learn to create new documents in the Google Docs format, as well as how to work with Word documents in Google Docs and how to convert Word documents to the Google Docs format. The class will focus on basic v and editing techniques in Google Docs, but will also cover best practices for using Google Docs. Since it is a collaboration tool that lets you share documents in real time with other users, you’ll need to be mindful of issues related to safeguarding confidential data. You’ll learn the difference between viewing and editing, and how to set permission levels for collaborators. You’ll also learn simple tips that will help you avoid accidentally overwriting data or accidentally publishing confidential data. Cost is $20 for members, $30 for non-members. Pre-registration is required; space is limited. To register: visit [email protected].
 
GREATER WESTFIELD CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
www.westfieldbiz.org
(413) 568-1618
  
• Feb. 2: Mayor’s Coffee Hour with Westfield Mayor Dan Knapik, 8-9 a.m., at McDonald’s, 182 North Elm St., Westfield. This event is free and open to the public. Call Pam at the chamber at (413) 568-1618 to register.

• Feb. 11: February After 5 Connection, 5-7 p.m., at Betts Piping Supply Co., 14 Coleman Ave., Westfield. For more information, contact the chamber at (413) 568-1618.

PROFESSIONAL WOMEN’S CHAMBER
www.professionalwomenschamber.com
(413) 755-1310
  
• Feb. 10: Ladies Night, 5-7 p.m., at It’s All About Me!, 2 Somers Road, Hampden. Enjoy complimentary wine and refreshments. 
Reservations are complimentary but required. Contact Gwen Burke at (413) 237-8840 or [email protected]. The Professional Women’s Chamber is an affiliate of the Affiliated Chambers of Commerce of Greater Springfield.

WEST OF THE RIVER CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
www.ourwrc.com
413) 426-3880
 
• Feb. 4: Wicked Wednesday, 5:30-7:30 p.m., at Flowers By Webster 82 Elm St., West Springfield. Wicked Wednesdays are monthly social events hosted by various businesses and restaurants. These events bring members and non-members together to network in a laid-back atmosphere. Free for chamber members, $10 for non-members. Event is open to the public; you must pay at the door if you’re a non-member. For more information, contact the chamber office at (413) 426-3880 or e-mail [email protected].
 
• Feb. 19: Networking Lunch, noon to 1:30 p.m., at Lattitude, 1338 Memorial Ave., West Springfield. One must be a member or guest of a member to attend. Enjoy a sit-down lunch while networking with fellow chamber members. Each attendee will get a chance to offer a brief sales pitch. The only cost to attend is the cost of your lunch. Attendees will order off the menu and pay separately the day of the event. Please note that we cannot invoice you for these events.
 For more information, contact the chamber office at (413) 426-3880 or e-mail [email protected].

• Feb. 25: Legislative Breakfast, 7-9 a.m., at Storrowton Tavern,  1305 Memorial Ave., West Springfield. The breakfast will feature a panel of various leaders, including state Sen. James Welch, state Sen. Donald Humason, Agawam Mayor Richard Cohen, and West Springfield Mayor Edward Sullivan. Tickets are $25 for members, $30 for non-members. For more information on ticket sales, contact the chamber office at (413) 426-3880 or e-mail [email protected].