Holyoke Chamber Breakfast
Sept. 18: A regional business audience will hear about the latest economic research for cities across the state from 7:45 to 10:30 a.m. at the Kittredge Center of Holyoke Community College (HCC), hosted by the Greater Holyoke Chamber of Commerce. The breakfast event, titled ‘Modeling Change for Urban Communities,’ will feature guest speakers James Stergios, executive director of the Pioneer Institute, and Barry Bluestone, dean of the School of Social Science, Urban Affairs, and Public Policy, and director of the Center for Urban and Regional Policy at Northeastern University. The event is the first in a series of economic forecasting programs, and will feature two leaders in economic research and public policy. Tickets are $20 each, and reservations must be made in advance by calling the Holyoke Chamber at (413) 534-3376.
Casino Debate
Sept. 18: Will Massachusetts roll the dice on casino gambling? What are the implications if it does or doesn’t? A provocative discussion on the topic with proponents, opponents, and experts is planned from 8:15 to 10 a.m. at the Omni Parker House Hotel, Press Room, in Boston, hosted by members of the Mass. Institute for a New Commonwealth (MassINC). Panel members will include state Rep. Dan Bosley (D-North Adams) and Richard McGowan of Boston College, author of Government and the Transformation of the Gaming Industry and The Gambling Debate, due out in November. For more information, call (617) 742-6800, ext. 120.
Chamber Courses
Sept. 25/Oct. 2: The Greater Westfield Chamber of Commerce will sponsor two courses this fall to help businesses plan for both startup and growth. The first course, Strategic Planning, will be conducted Sept. 25, while the second, Business Plan Instruction, is planned Oct. 2, both from 7:30 to 9 a.m. Both courses will be held at the STCU office at 453 East Main St., Westfield (Westfield Shops Plaza), sponsors of the program. Norman Halls from the Holbrook Company will lead the courses. When individuals complete the course, free counseling will be available from the University of Mass. Small Business Development Center. The cost for both programs is $35 per person for any chamber member or $50 for nonmembers. For reservations and more information, contact Lynn Boscher at (413) 568-1618 or via E-mail at [email protected].
AIM Executive Forum
Sept. 28: The Associated Industries of Mass. Executive Forum will host Massachusetts House Speaker Salvatore DiMasi for a discussion of critical business issues facing the Legislature during the fourth quarter of 2007 at its breakfast and networking meeting. Registration, breakfast and networking begins at 8 a.m. at the Westin Hotel, 70 Third Ave., Waltham. Speaker DiMasi’s presentation starts at 8:30. For registration information, call Julie Fazio at (617) 262-1180 or Chris Geehern at (617) 834-4414, or visit www.aimnet.org.
Entrepreneurial Hall of Fame Dinner
Oct. 4: The Western Mass. Entrepreneurial Hall of Fame will honor its Class of 2007 at its Eighth Annual Induction and Banquet at the Log Cabin Banquet and Meeting House. The event, one of the region’s largest networking events, will start with a reception at 5:30 and dinner at 7. This year’s inductees are: the Bassett family (Bassett Boat Company); the Falcone family (Rocky’s Ace Hardware); Theodore Geisel (Dr. Seuss); the Gordenstein family (Broadway Office Interiors); Charles & Merriam Webster (Merriam-Webster Inc.); and the Roberts family (F.L. Roberts). Tickets are $150 per person; tables of 10, $1,500. For more information or to order tockets, call (413) 730-6157.
SCORE Workshop
Oct. 5: A workshop, Tips on Commercializing Your Innovation, sponsored by the Western Massachusetts chapter of SCORE, will be conducted from 9 a.m. to noon at the Scibelli Enterprise Center, One Federal St., Springfield. The workshop is specifically directed to the business innovator/inventor. Dave Wentworth, a SCORE counselor and businessman, will be the facilitator. The cost is $25 and pre-registration is required. For more information, call (413) 785-0314 to leave your name and phone number.
Fall Shopping Fair
Oct. 11: A ‘Fall Shopping Fair’ will be staged at Ludlow Country Club to benefit the Rays of Hope Foundation. The event, which kicks off at 5 p.m., will feature a number of local vendors displaying apparel, floral items, jewelry, culinary products, skin care items, and more. There is no entrance fee, but donations to benefit Rays of Hope will be accepted. For more information, call (413) 583-3434, ext. 2.
Education and Trade Fair Show
Oct. 17: The Realtor Association of Pioneer Valley, Inc. will sponsor its 14th annual Education and Trade Fair Show from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Springfield Sheraton. The event combines educational opportunities and a trade show for realtors and affiliates. Highlights will include keynote speaker Darryl Davis, a real estate trainer and motivational speaker; a continental breakfast and lunch for attendees, and a wine and cheese party at the culmination of the day’s festivities.
Money Smart Program
Oct. 30-Nov. 27: The Holyoke Credit Union will once again offer its free award-winning financial education program titled Money Smart this fall which covers a multitude of personal banking and finance subjects. The course will be conducted on Tuesdays from 6 to 8 p.m. for five consecutive weeks at the Holyoke Credit Union’s main branch at 490 Westfield Road, Holyoke. The program is free to the public, however, pre-registration is required. Registration may be made at any branch location or by calling (413) 532-7007.
Chefs for Healthy Babies
Nov. 5: Signature chefs from across Western Mass. will present a culinary extravaganza during the annual March of Dimes “Chefs for Healthy Babies” fundraiser that begins at 5:30 p.m. at The Log Cabin in Holyoke. Highlights of the evening affair also include a wine tasting and silent and live auctions. For additional information and online registration, visit www.marchofdimes.com/ma or call the Chapter office at (508) 329-2800.
Six Flags CEO To Address A.I.M.
Nov. 9: Marc Shapiro, president and CEO of Six Flags Inc., will outline his managing style for overseeing the world’s largest regional theme park company during the Associated Industries of Massachusetts Executive Forum meeting at the Westin Hotel, 70 Third Ave., Waltham. Registration begins at 7:45 a.m., followed by the program from 8 to 9:15 a.m. For registration information, call Julie Fazio at (617) 262-1180 or Chris Geehern at (617) 834-4414, or visit www.aimnet.org.
‘Selling Products Globally’
Nov. 15: Holland & Bonzagni, P.C., registered patent attorneys based in Longmeadow, will present an informative workshop from noon to 4:30 p.m. on how to sell products in today’s global market. The event is planned at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, 100 Berlin Road, Cromwell, Conn. Speakers include Carl R. Jacobsen and Sharon Bongiovanni, both of the Middletown U.S. Export Assistance Center; Stephen Sarro of A.N. Deringer, Inc.; Joseph H. Bartozzi, Esq., of O. F. Mossberg & Sons, Inc., and Donald S. Holland, Esq., of Holland & Bonzagni, P.C. The cost is $50, which includes a buffet luncheon. For more information, call (413) 567-2076 or register online at www.hblaw.org.
Bright Nights Ball
Nov. 17: East Longmeadow-based Hasbro Games will be the sponsor of the 2007 City of Bright Nights Ball, which will take on a Monopoly® theme. The event, the major fundraiser for the Spririt of Springfield, which puts on the annual holiday display in Forest Park known as Bright Nights, will take place in the ballroom of the Sheraton Springfield at Monarch Place. The black-tie event features a gourmet dinner, dancing and the opportunity to win and purchase some fabulous items. Guests will be able to purchase Monopoly deeds, everything from Baltic Avenue to Boardwalk, and redeem them for prizes. Bidding on five showcase items will begin on-line in early November and be completed the evening of the gala. Other premium items will be sold in an on-line auction. Auction items will be announced at a later date. In addition to Hasbro Games, the City of Bright Nights Ball is being supported by Bay State Health, Health New England, MassMutual Financial Group, and Sheraton Springfield. Tickets to the 12th annual City of Bright Nights Ball are $500 per couple. Tables of 10 are available for $2,500. For more information, contact the Spirit of Springfield at (413) 733-3800.