Page 85 - BusinessWest February 21, 2022

This issue of BusinessWest marks the return of Chamber Corners, a compendium of upcom-
ing events organized by chambers of commerce throughout Western Mass. This long-running department was suspended early in the pandemic when events shut down, but now that they have largely returned (though many are still virtual), Chamber Corners will be part of each issue mov- ing forward. Chambers should e-mail event infor- mation to [email protected].
1BERKSHIRE
(413) 499-1600; 1berkshire.com
n Feb. 17: GoFundU Session #1: “Introduction
to Crowdfunding,” 5-7 p.m. Crowdfunding is an exciting way to engage your audience and fund
a particular project, venture, or opportunity.
Join us to learn the basics of crowdfunding cam- paigns. This session will provide you a high-level overview of what they are, how they operate, and the diversity of options that are out there for you and your business. If you participate in at least three of the five GoFundU workshops, you will be eligible to receive direct, free, one-on-one technical assistance to help plan and launch your own crowdfunding effort. Sessions are planned to be hybrid. In-person attendance will be at the Berkshire Innovation Center, and remote par- ticipation via Zoom. The program may go fully remote pending any changes in the COVID-19 landscape. This series made possible through
the support of the Pittsfield Economic Revitaliza- tion Corp. and the Massachusetts Growth Capital Corp. Register for either in-person or electronic attendance at us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/ tZYpceyrpjMuG9C0SPjJfG9k1H__z7q61pt4.
n Feb. 22: 1Berkshire Virtual Entrepreneurial Meetup, 9-10:30 a.m. Our featured speaker will be Liam Gorman of CozQuest, who will share his experiences in building his business and launch- ing it in 2021. 1Berkshire Entrepreneurial Meet- ups are free to attend and made possible through the support of Pittsfield Cooperative Bank. Regis- tration is required. Register at bit.ly/3tEmps4.
n Feb. 24: GoFundU Session #2: “Developing the Value Proposition for Your Business and Your Contributors,” 5-7 p.m. Crowdfunding isn’t just about you getting money, it also provides
a level of mutual benefit to your contributors. An effective crowdfunding campaign describes how campaign funds will be used to add value to your business, and how campaign backers will benefit from being involved. For some, this is the benefit of feeling good about what their dollars are helping to do. For others, the benefit comes from the tangible ‘thing’ they receive as a return on their contribution. This workshop will tackle both how to tell the story and emphasize the impact that their dollars are going to make, and to help you structure contributor awards and levels that will attract more contributions but not meaningfully diminish the funds you are raising. If you participate in at least three of the five GoFundU workshops, you will be eli- gible to receive direct, free, one-on-one techni- cal assistance to help plan and launch your own
crowdfunding effort. Sessions are planned to
be hybrid. In-person attendance will be at the Berkshire Innovation Center, and remote par- ticipation via Zoom. The program may go fully remote pending any changes in the COVID-19 landscape. This series made possible through the support of the Pittsfield Economic Revitaliza- tion Corp. and the Massachusetts Growth Capital Corp. Register for either in-person or electronic attendance at us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/ tZIqfuCvqzsuH9xjOhYEEz3cD1lh6GnpRwkS.
graduation celebration, and successful graduates receive a free WNE leadership course valued at more than $2,500. Apply by Feb. 17 at springfiel- dregionalchamber.com/leadership-institute.
n March 11: Outlook 2022, 11:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Hear from top policymakers and influenc- ers on the outlook for 2022, hosted by U.S. Rep. Richard Neal, chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee. This virtual event is pre- sented by Baystate Health and MassMutual, with
n March 1: Berkshire Eco- nomic Recovery Project Kickoff Workshop:
Why Brands Matter.
Chamber Corners: Upcoming Events
In this session, brand
consultant Lee Rafkin will
explain why brands matter
and show entrepreneurs and business owners how to clearly define their value propositions
by building an authentic brand platform, using cases and examples to explore topics including positioning, branding, naming, logos, taglines, and key messages. By registering, you are claim- ing a limited opportunity offered to a limited number of businesses. If you attempt to regis- ter and the cohort has reached capacity, e-mail [email protected] to be added to the waiting list. Register at bit.ly/3G7FHZK.
sponsorship support from Comcast, Eversource, the Republican, and WWLP-TV22. Cost: $24.95 for SRC members; $110, enterprise-level SRC members (six seats); $29.95 for future members; $140, enterprise-level future members (six seats).
n March 24: Fire & Ice, 5:30-8 p.m., Springfield Country Club, 1375 Elm St., West Springfield. Join us for our annual craft cocktail competition featuring area establishments mixing up creative fire- and ice-themed cocktails. Sample the con- coctions and vote for your favorite. Cost: $50 for SRC members ($60 at the door); $60 for future members ($70 at the door).
WEST OF THE RIVER CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
(413) 426-3880; www.ourwrc.com
n March 3: Networking Coffee Hour, 8-9 a.m. Join us as we meet fellow members, non-mem- bers, and local business people to network vir- tually on Zoom. Introductions will be followed by breakout rooms to learn about your business peers and network. Register at business.ourwrc. com/events.
n March 23: Job Fair 2022, 4:30-7:30 p.m., Stor- rowton Tavern/Carriage House, West Springfield. The West of the River Chamber will be hosting a local job fair. West Springfield and Agawam busi- nesses, along with other employment opportu- nities from around Western Mass., will be show- cased for the public. High-school students, col- lege students, and adults will be attending this event looking to begin or advance their careers. This event is free and open to the public. To be a participating vendor, register at business.ourwrc. com/events.
AMHERST AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
(413) 253-0700; amherstarea.com
n March 9: Amherst Area Chamber of Com- merce 2022 Annual Meeting, noon to 2 p.m., hosted by the Red Barn at Hampshire College. Join us for lunch as we reflect on our impact, salute our outgoing board members, welcome our new board members, elect a slate of officers, and launch our New Year, New Vision for 2022. Presented by Encharter Insurance, supported by bankESB, and honoring the work of Amherst Cinema, our featured nonprofit. See COVID guidelines and register at business.amherstarea. com/events.
SPRINGFIELD REGIONAL CHAMBER
(413) 787-1555; springfieldregionalchamber.com
n Feb. 24: Leadership 2022, 1:30-4:30 p.m., TD Bank Conference Center, 1441 Main St., Spring- field. Develop your next generation of leaders through the Springfield Regional Chamber Lead- ership Institute, a professional-development program in partnership with the College of Busi- ness at Western New England University (WNE). A series of six workshops, facilitated by WNE faculty, will take participants through a range of evidence-based tools and frameworks to apply immediately to leadership practice. Peer coach- ing supplements the program. Scholarship sup- port for eligible nonprofits provided by the Irene E. and George A. Davis Foundation. Cost: $885, which includes all course materials, parking, and
BusinessWest SECTION FEBRUARY 21, 2022 85