November 2019

In this issue...

Upcoming Events

President's Message

A View from the Hill

PWC Networking Night andFundraiser

Government Reception

Employer and HigherEducation WorkforceDevelopment Panel

Leadership 2020

Member News

Photo Gallery

Now Booking

Upcoming Events

EVENT SPONSORSHIPOPPORTUNITIES

Market your business at aChamber event.

We have a number ofsponsorships availableat all levels throughout

the season.Email us and let's chatabout options that work

for your business.

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President's Message

Well, it has been a couple of months sincemy last e-message. What's been going on?Well, summer officially ended (unfortunately- at least in my mind!), the leaves turned,the nights chilled and fall "fell" upon us. But,candidly, most of it went by me.Unfortunately, I have been laid up/nowrecovering from an injury since just afterLabor Day. And for a Type-A personality, letme tell you... All kidding aside, I do have a newfound respect and empathy forindividuals challenged with physical limitations; for those needing tonavigate our healthcare system without the privileges that I have; forpeople who may not have a support system to help their with theirdaily lives. It really is true the adage about walking a mile insomeone's shoes. To our members, I am sorry that I wasn't able to see you at anevent, to visit your business, to answer your communications asquickly as I normally would, or to welcome you as a new member. So what else happened? We launched our new Web site! Check it out:www.springfieldregionalchamber.com. Send us an email and let usknow what you think. You will notice a section called MemberNews. Be sure to send us your news so we can help spread yourmessage and build your brand! We recognized our 30th class of Super 60! These businesses arethe growth engine of our economy, combining for more than $720million in revenue this past fiscal year. Since the program'sinception, they have contributed more than $27 BILLION to oureconomy! Congrats to these companies! You can find out who wonthis year here. Our second cohort of RiseUp Springfield graduated this month.RiseUp Springfield is a hands-on six-month small businessdevelopment program of the Springfield Regional Chamber and theCity of Springfield. Business owners receive the knowledge andknow-how to create and manage a customized, three-year strategicgrowth plan. We recognize that small business is the future of our

PWC Networking Nightand Dress for Success

FundraiserNovember 14, 2019

5- 7 p.m.Eastfield Mall, Springfield

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Annual GovernmentReception

November 21, 20195-7 p.m.

Carriage House atStorrowton Tavern West Springfield

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Employers and HigherEducation: Working

Together for a StrongerWorkforce

December 3, 20198:30-10 a.m.

HCC MGM CulinaryInstitute, Holyoke

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economy and we are so pleased to be able to help grow thesebusinesses! The businesses who participated in last year's cohortcreated or retained 18 jobs, saw an average of 300% revenuegrowth, and 3 of every 4 participants reported a profit aftercompleting the program. We can't wait to see how great this year'scohort does! The application process is now open for Leadership2020.Leadership 2020 is a program run in conjunction with WesternNew England University which works to develop the next generationof business and community leaders. Do you see potential in youremployees and want to encourage that? Want to provide employeeswith unparalleled professional development at an affordable price?Interested in honing your own leadership skills? This program mayjust be for you. Read more below. And now for some housekeeping issues...Our MembershipVerification Forms are in the mail. We send these out every year sothat we have up to date information for your company. Please besure to review your information and get any changes back to us.We want to be sure we have accurate information in our print andonline directories so that we can continue to connect you on bothB2B and B2C levels. Lastly, we have been hearing from members that some of our emailcommunications are not getting into their inboxes. Unfortunately,the Chamber got caught in a global spam filter upgrade that wentawry. As we work diligently with Microsoft Online and other third-party providers to address this issue, it would be helpful to be sureyou add these domain names to your inbox so that ourcommunications reach you:

Springfieldregionalchamber.comchambermaster.com

springfieldregionalchamber.ccsend.com

As always, thank you for your support, your investment in ourChamber and your commitment to our communities!

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A View from the Hill The first year of the legislativesession is nearing the end. Of themore than 600 bills the Chamberis monitoring, hearings have beenheld on most of them - this iswhen the people have anopportunity to comment. It is avery slow but deliberate processwith much of the heavy lifting to come in January 2020. PFMLOctober saw the commencement of the withholdings for the paidfamily and medical leave program for those employers who do nothave an approved private plan exemption. Employers are required toremit these withholdings by January 31, 2020. Benefits won't startearlier than January 2021. I encourage you to be sure you arecompliant with the new law. Learn moreherehere. EDUCATION REFORMEducation reform is a hot topic on Beacon Hill. Both the House and

Leadership 2020February-June

Download the brochure

Welcome to Our NewMembers

American Eagle FinancialCredit UnionCVSEBS Insurance BrokersHanger ClinicSmith College ExecutiveEducationAlayna Anderson (PWC)Christine Andrzejewski(PWC)Maggie Baumer (PWC)Jessica Bray (PWC)Meredith Courtney (PWC)Meghan Hibner (PWC)Janine Kent (PWC)Nancy Taylor (PWC)Trish Vassallo (PWC)

Congratulate TheseMembers on TheirChamber Anniversaries

One YearGreater Springfield CreditUnionSABIS EducationalSystems, Inc.

Five YearsBerkshire Heating and AirConditioning

15 YearsMarket MentorsWay Finders

30 YearsEmery Development Ltd.

the Senate passed their versions of a bill that would invest $1.5billion in the state's public K-12 education system over the nextseven years. Working with partners across the state like theMassachusetts Business Alliance for Education, the SpringfieldRegional Chamber was hard at work advocating on behalf of itsmember employers to ensure that the bills included accountabilitymeasures (we shouldn't just write a blank check!), that funding wasbeing directed to communities to help close the racial and socio-economic achievement gaps, and that funding was targeted towardscareer and college readiness - to opportunities tied to labor marketdemand. We were pleased to see that the House did include manyof our recommendations but were disappointed that the Senate didnot. Both bills now will go to a conference committee wherelegislative members will iron out their differences. We know thatfinding skilled, qualified employees is your #1 challenge, and theChamber will continue to work on this issue and advocate on yourbehalf throughout the conference process. REVENUEAfter more than six months of work, the Senate Revenue WorkingGroup (of which the Springfield Regional Chamber is an activeparticipant) is nearing the end of its research phase. The Group wastasked by Senate President Karen Spilka to "take a comprehensivelook at how the Massachusetts tax code is structured, to see whatis outdated, where we can modernize and where we can improve tocreate a revenue system that is fair and functional for all." TheGroup should be releasing its recommendations next year so moreto come. We also expect the House to take a look at transportation revenueto come from transportation sources. The Springfield RegionalChamber and the Economic Development Council of WesternMassachusetts are engaged in this effort. LOCAL TAXESIt is that time of year again when communities set the property taxrate for the coming year. The Springfield Regional Chamber is partof the Springfield Tax Classification Advisory Committee whichworks together to develop a property tax rate recommendation forthe City Council to consider. The SRC has always worked hard toadvocate for a tax rate which strikes a fair balance betweenbusiness and residents. And this year will be no different. We willcontinue to advocate for a rate that does not unduly shift the taxburden onto the backs of business. We believe that a healthybusiness climate means jobs for its residents, financial support,and human capital support for community organizations andnonprofits. In return, a healthy residential community meansworkers for the businesses, shoppers for its retail sector, patronsfor its arts and culture community. We recognize that for Springfieldto succeed, we all must work together. If you are a Springfieldbusiness owner, Springfield business property owner or leasecommercial/industrial property in Springfield, I encourage you to getinvolved. We will continue to keep you updated as our work progresses. Inthe meantime, if you are willing to join us in our advocacy efforts -be it sending a letter to your legislator, communicating with themabout how issues could hurt your business, or some other way,please contact me and we can work together to ensure our regionand our state remains competitive. You can reach me atcreed@springfieldregionalchamber.com or (413) 755-1309.

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PWC to Hold NetworkingNight and Dress for SuccessFundraiser November 14

The Professional Women's Chamber

will host a Dress for Success

Fundraiser on November 14 from 5-7

p.m. at the Dress for Success store at

Eastfield Mall, 1655 Boston Road, Springfield. Admission is free,

but guests are asked to bring a donation of business attire and/or

accessories for Dress for Success. For each item donated, guests

will get one raffle ticket and a Dress for Success scarf. Additional

raffle tickets will be available for purchase. Refreshments will be

served.

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Annual Government Reception November 21

Don't miss this once-a-year cocktailparty, where you can mix and minglewith your state and local legislators.Let your voice be heard at the annualGovernment Reception on November21, 2019 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. in theCarriage House at Storrowton Tavern,1305 Memorial Avenue, WestSpringfield. Sponsored by Comcast and BaystateHealth, the reception providesbusiness and community leaders with the opportunity to meetsocially with local, state and federal officials following the end of theformal legislative session. Last year, more than 200 peopleattended the event, including members of area select boards, citycouncils as well as state representatives and senators. Reservations for the event are $60 for members, $70 for generaladmission and $75 at the door and include hors d'oeuvres andbeverages.

This year, our new member LYFT is offering a $5 discount on ridesto and from the Government Reception. Click here to activate thediscount code.

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Employers and Higher Education WorkforceDevelopment Panel Slated for December 3

UMass-Amherst Chancellor Kumble Subbaswamy, HolyokeCommunity College President Christina Royal and Christine

Phillips, first vice president of humanresources for PeoplesBank, will speakon a panel about the bold and newways in which colleges are buildingprograms to meet the needs of thebusiness community on December 3from 8:30-10 a.m. at the HCC MGMCulinary Arts Institute,164 Race Streetin Holyoke. The panel will be moderatedby Dawn Creighton, chief workforce development officer atGreenfield Community College.

Panelists will discuss what higher education looks like today asmore colleges and universities are working with the businesscommunity, listening to their input and developing programs to meettheir needs.

Chancellor Subbaswamy will talk about the economic impactUMass-Amherst has on the region, while HCC President ChristinaRoyal will discuss the success of the college's unique engineeringprogram in Ware.

PeoplesBank's Christine Phillips will provide the employerperspective, illustrated by the bank's award-winningapprenticeship/training program.

Registration is $25 for members in advance ($30 at the door), $35general admission, ($40 at the door). and includes a continentalbreakfast.

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Leadership 2020

Are you looking to develop the nextgeneration of leaders? The SpringfieldRegional Chamber Leadership Institutehas a long and strong history of takingthe leadership skills of rising stars tothe next level - equipping them with theknowledge and skills for increasingpersonal and organizationaleffectiveness.

In partnership with the Western NewEngland University College ofBusiness, the six-week program runsfrom February 27- May 28, withgraduation held on June 11. Uponsuccessful completion of the program,students will be eligible to enroll in a free graduate course offeredthrough the College of Business at Western New EnglandUniversity.

The Leadership Institute is supported by The Irene E. and GeorgeA. Davis Foundation.

Who should attend the Leadership Institute? The program isrecommended for aspiring mangers, new managers, andprofessionals who are interested in increasing their effectivenessand/or expanding their impact within or beyond their current role.

Learn more by downloading the

brochure.

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Member News

Pullman & Comley OpensSpringfield Office

Jeff Daley Named NewWestmass CEO

Kupperman Joins SpringfieldJewish Community Center

AIC Announces New Boardof Trustees Members

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Photo Gallery

Super 60 2019

Photos byUnderwood Photography

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Now Booking for December

Connect With, our popular member profile, was booked for everyprint issue of Chamber Connection last season.Reserve now for theDecember issue. It's fun to do and gives people an opportunity toget to know more about you. Email for details and to reserve yourspot.

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Member Benefits Available to Youand Your Employees

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