Page 6 - BusinessWest July 11, 2022

Springfield Regional chamber, and the prospects for all chambers in the post-pandemic world.
Getting Down to Business
Recalling her shift from public service — she was a selectman in Hatfield and then in county government before joining Kocot as an aide — to running a chamber of commerce, Szynal said it was a relatively smooth, almost seamless transi- tion. That’s because the work is similar in many respects, she noted, adding that in both arenas, there are large amounts of listening and advocacy involved.
Elaborating, she said that in her municipal roles, she got to work with many area econom- ic-development-related agencies, such as the regional employment boards (now MassHire agencies), the Economic Development Council of Western Mass., and others. She was able to take those relationships, as well as her understand- ing of the state Legislature and relationships she forged there, to her work with the Franklin Coun- ty chamber.
“It was while I was working for representative Kocot that I really cut my teeth on learning about workforce development, economic development, the importance of community organizations and nonprofits, and the importance of public-private partnerships,” she explained. “And how all of that fits into economic development.
“I was also able to develop at that time really important relationships with key stakeholders throughout the region,” she went on. “So when Rep. Kocot passed away, I went to the Franklin County chamber, and all of those relationships and learning experiences were invaluable in help- ing me execute the mission there.”
Szynal is expecting a similarly smooth tran- sition as she moves from the Franklin County chamber to the one in Springfield, because, while the two regions are certainly different when it comes to population, the chambers are of simi- lar size, membership-wise. Meanwhile, most all of the issues and challenges within the business communities are the same, and so is the basic mission of the organizations — to serve members and advocate on their behalf.
“The main focus of a chamber is communica- tion, relationships, and business support,” said Szynal. “Each chamber is a little different, but most focus on the same things. Through events we facilitate networking and collaboration among members, and we give businesses some visibility through our membership directory, our website, member spotlights, all of those things. The busi- ness-to-business relationships, business-to-com- munity relationships, those are things that most chambers focus on, although each chamber adds their own flavor.”
In Springfield, the size and makeup of the chamber reflects the diversity of the city and its recent upward trajectory, said Szynal, noting that, despite the pandemic and its impact on every sector of the economy, Springfield is in a growth mode and seeing vitality in most aspects of its economy.
“Springfield has so much going for it — there’s been so much revitalization in the area,” she said. “The sectors of healthcare and education, tour- ism and hospitality, manufacturing ... all of those things are so vital and so critical here. I’m really looking forward to diving in and learning all that I don’t know and putting some fresh eyes on the chamber and the region.”
As noted earlier, she arrives at an intriguing time for this chamber, and all chambers. While most have become smaller staff-wise — several, including the Springfield Regional Chamber, are essentially one-person operations — there is a new vibrancy for many due to the relevancy gained during the pandemic.
“
here. I have a lot on my to-do list, but I can’t wait to dive in.”
“The pandemic really did shine a spotlight on how critical it is to be part of that larger group and have that support and have that information that was so important,” Szynal told BusinessWest, adding that the challenge, and opportunity, mov- ing forward is to hammer home the importance of chambers during what could be called more- normal, but still quite challenging times.
Indeed, Szynal said businesses large and small are still being impacted by a number of issues, many of them COVID after-effects including sup- ply-chain issues, soaring prices, the early signs of recession, and, especially, a workforce crisis that doesn’t seem to be getting any better.
“Look at the challenges businesses are facing today that they didn’t have to before — supply chain issues, fuel prices are going to be crushing to some businesses, workforce issues, childcare, and more,” she said,
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There is a lot of opportunity
adding that in such times, being part of
Szynal
Continued on page 46