Chamber Reports Successful 2018 at Recent Annual Meeting
Eastern CT – On March 27, 2019, the Chamber of Commerce of Eastern CT was pleased to recap a year of successful 2018 activities, and share our vision for the future, at our Annual Meeting and Awards Reception. Over 230 regional representatives maxed out the meeting space at The Spa at Norwich Inn, demonstrating the breadth and importance of the Chamber’s work.
Official business included Board elections, finance updates, and a report from our Foundation. The Chamber welcomed 17 new Trustees to its 93-member Board of Trustees, made up of local leaders elected by the membership, as well as 18 members of the Board of Directors.
“This was one of the best attended and most positive Annual Meetings to date in my tenure at the Chamber,” said Tony Sheridan, President & CEO of the Chamber of Commerce of Eastern CT. “I am deeply grateful to the Chamber’s membership, our partners, and our sponsors for helping make 2018 a year of many great successes.”
At the meeting, The Chamber recognized some of the region’s first “certified tourism ambassadors,” individuals who completed the Connecticut Tourism Coalition's "CHAT" (Connecticut Hospitality Awareness Training) program. The Chamber is a partner to the Coalition, and is currently developing the regional component of this program. Rodney Butler, Chair of the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Council/Interim CEO of Foxwoods Resort Casino (as well as the Chamber’s Citizen of the Year) and David Quinn, President of Quinn & Hary Marketing and Secretary of the Coalition, presented certificates to five Chamber employees and two Foxwoods employees in attendance.
Another component of the meeting was an expanded Regional Business Awards presentation, recognizing the diversity of the outstanding businesses, organizations, and individuals who enhance our region. State Senator Cathy Osten, State Representative Holly Cheeseman, and State Representative Kevin Ryan presented citations from the legislature to congratulate the honorees. The Chamber presented awards to:
The Chamber recognized its partnership with the Southeastern CT Cultural Coalition, initiated in 2018, by providing a platform for the organization to present its own awards to Coalition/Chamber members that have bolstered the arts community:
The Annual Meeting also marks the conclusion of the Chamber Board Chair’s term. The Chamber is grateful to 2018 Board Chair, Al Ayers, Director of HR for General Dynamics Electric Boat, for his hard work and dedication to serving the membership throughout the year.
Incoming Chair B. Michael Rauh, President & CEO of Chelsea Groton Bank, closed the program by outlining three key components of his vision for the Chamber under his leadership:
The Annual Meeting was followed by a networking reception catered by The Spa at Norwich Inn.
In addition to the Chamber’s Regional Benefactors, who support Chamber programming year-round, the Chamber thanks the dedicated sponsors of the 2018 Annual Meeting:
The Chamber thanks the entire eastern CT region, especially its membership, for its support through 2018.
The Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut is a collaborative of business and community leaders dedicated to securing and enhancing the economic vitality of eastern Connecticut. The Chamber works to create value for its members and the region by providing forums for business networking, leadership and discussions of issues that affect the region; providing opportunities for members to showcase their products, services and accomplishments; helping small businesses succeed through educational programs; and working to reduce the costs of doing business in Connecticut. For more information, visit www.ChamberECT.com.
Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut, Inc.
Matt Levy Marketing & Communications Coordinator
* * *
About the Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut: