Daily News

Checkpoint 2014 Legislative Symposium Set for Nov. 7

HOLYOKE — The Greater Chicopee, Holyoke, Westfield, and South Hadley/Granby chambers of commerce have joined forces in attracting the top leaders of the Massachusetts House and Senate, and every member of the Massachusetts House and Senate who specifically represent the collective chambers’ municipalities, to an afternoon-long exchange of ideas and information on Friday, Nov. 7 at the Log Cabin Banquet & Meeting House.

U.S. Rep. Richard Neal will participate as a keynote speaker, adding his perspective and expertise from Washington, and state House Speaker Robert DeLeo will also be a keynote speaker, sharing his expertise and insights on gateway cities, among other topics. In addition to DeLeo, Neal, and Rosenberg, state Sens. Gale Candaras, Donald Humason Jr., and James Welch will attend, joined by representatives John Scibak, Aaron Vega, John Velis, and House Chairman of Economic Affairs and Emerging Technologies Joseph Wagner.

Registration and networking begin at 11:30 a.m., with lunch from noon to 1:30 p.m. A panel discussion with the state delegation from 1:30 to 3 p.m., featuring questions from the audience, will be followed by a cocktail reception, which area mayors and town administrators will also attend. Reservations are required, and tickets are $50 per person for chamber members and $60 for non-members.

Sponsorship opportunities for the event are still available. For $750, sponsors receive name and logo on the invitations, name included on all broadcast e-mails of all the chambers, name and recognition in the event program and script, and all future press releases, as well as four VIP seating tickets. Current sponsors include Spherion Staffing, Mercy Medical Center, Holyoke Medical Center, Mestek Inc., Holyoke Gas & Electric, Health New England, Dave’s Truck Repair, the Republican/El Pueblo Latino, Marcotte Ford, PeoplesBank, the Center for School Crisis Intervention and Assessment, United Personnel, Comcast, Chicopee Savings Bank, the Business Growth Center at Springfield Technology Park, Westmass Area Development Corp., and Westfield Gas & Electric. For more information, visit the Chicopee, Holyoke, Westfield, or South Hadley websites.