April 12th at the Aqua Turf
Chamber annual dinner now an upbeat event
By ART SECONDO
The last time I attended a Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner as a guest, I recall sitting there asking why there were so few people in attendance. After all, I thought, it was a Friday night and this was the Chamber of Commerce. The program ended at 9:45 p.m. and just about everyone was gone by 10.
The year was 2002 and the Chamber was struggling to attract new members. There were 150 people at this event but it was obvious that there was little energy and enthusiasm in the room. Awards were presented and people went through the motions of clapping and continuing to look extremely bored.
I went home and tried to evaluate what could be done to help the organization. I was a member through my former place of employment and needed to lend a hand if possible. Little did I know that in less than two years I would be at the helm of this proud organization.
Southington’s rapid growth was just beginning and the Chamber needed to play a major role in assisting and servicing the many businesses that had not yet enrolled as members. Officially, there are more than 1,400 registered businesses in town, albeit many are split companies with LLC attachments, but that’s still a lot of potential clients.
My first goal was to make the Chamber’s premier event something special -- a night that would attract a mix of young and old to have a memorable and enjoyable evening.
The Annual Dinner is meant to engage all members to officially install new directors and officers and to allow for dialogue among business leaders. Those who traditionally attended this event knew ahead of time that awards would be presented, a good dinner would be served and the night would end in enough time to get home to watch the 11 p.m. news. “But why did it have to be this way?” I asked.
In 2004 the Chamber kicked off its new version of its Annual Dinner with reborn energy and volunteer involvement. New members had swelled our ranks from 342 to nearly 400. In Chamber terms, that’s major growth.
The Chamber staff and directors were in unison that the Annual Dinner had to prove that it deserved to be a classy event but also needed to entice hundreds of members who never bothered to attend.
The format was immediately changed and entertainment was added. I’ve always believed that the 50s theme was a natural since most people enjoyed the music of that era and the dress could be casual. Suits and ties and fancy dresses were too strict for this new theme.
Next, we concentrated on the program and were able to plan a two-hour presentation that would allow more than two hours for dancing and networking. Then we decided to include retro decorations including actual cars from the 50s or 60s to be placed inside the banquet room, perfect for our photographer to snap photos of attended gathered around a classic auto.
A gala raffle, dance contests, open bar and specialty ice cream sundae bars were additions to this event that were included to additionally spice up the evening. In brief, it worked. In 2005 the attendance went to 350 people and in 2006 more than 428 attended. Last year the Aqua Turf moved our event to its largest room. We needed it since our attendance in 2007 reached 565 people.
Why was this Annual Dinner so popular after years of stagnant attendance?
Many of our members and guests told us they liked the change to a Saturday night.
Others told us they love the 50s-60-70s- theme which includes music from three decades.
Some commented that it was a night out without getting all dressed up.
Others said the price was right especially with open bar, dinner, dancing and sundaes for dessert.
Non-Chamber members told us the raffle, the theme and the time of the year was an excellent mix.
Truthfully, the Chamber added some awards that bring in more people such as the Public Service honors for those who serve the town government without compensation. These are great awards and have proven to be highly popular but admittedly, the recipients and their friends usually depart early since they’ve heard and seen enough of these banquets to fill several lifetimes.
On April 12 the Chamber returns to the Aqua Turf for its 70th anniversary. We’ve grown to 545 members and have solidified ourselves as a hard-working, devoted group of volunteers and a staff who are determined to make a difference in Southington’s future.
As an example of Southington’s growth and popularity, the number of Chamber’s Beautification awards have surpassed expectations. This year, 10 businesses will receive plagues in honor of their financial investment to their buildings. All are deserving but more could have been included.
Devoted business and Chamber leaders will be recognized along with our new directors and officers.
The Annual Dinner is the hallmark of our organization.
Don’t let the music, laughing and fun mislead you. The mere fact that hundreds turn out each year on a Saturday night for a Chamber of Commerce event is truly a serious compliment to the popularity of this organization and a tribute to those volunteers who have helped us become visible, effective and pretty good at banquet planning.
WELCOME TO OUR NEW MEMBERS FOR THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY 2008
DOW GUTTERS— Seamless Gutters 332 Bristol Street, Southington, CT 06489.
Phone: 860-426-0045. Contact Name—Stephen Dow
THE NURSE NETWORK, LLC—Temp Nurse Staffing Travel Nurse 653 Main Street, Plantsville, CT 06479. Phone: 860-628-2990. Contact Name—Dave Dineno.
AVANTI TECHNOLOGIES, INC. — Medical Sales 181 DeFashion Street., Marion, CT 06444 Phone: 800-592-0255. Contact Name—Neal Witkin.
ALLURE, A FULL SERVICE SALON. — Hair & Tanning Salon 3211 Meriden-Waterbury Rd., Marion, CT 06444. Phone: 860-620-9909. Contact Name—Shellie Ragunauth. A full service salon offering waxing, tanning (two high powered base beds), Hair cutting for men, women and children, highlighting, corrective coloring, coloring, perming, relaxing, up-do’s, Japanese Straightening, Extensions, Bridal packages, little girls birthday parties, gift certificates, Matrix and Chi products, Australian Gold and Pro Tan products.
ADVERTISING SPECIALTIES MADE YOUR WAY — Silk Screening & Specialty Imprints 76 Milldale Avenue, Plantsville, CT 06479 Phone: 860-384-9024. Contact Name—Helen Shappy
KONOVER CONSTRUCTION COMPANY — Construction 30 Batterson Park Road, Farmington, CT 06032. Phone: 860-284-7622. Contact Name—David Papandrea.
DATES TO PUT ON YOUR CALENDAR
APRIL 12TH—70TH ANNUAL DINNER, 6:00 P.M. Aqua Turf—Reservations required
APRIL 22ND—DINNER & A SPEAKER, Smokin’ With Chris, 5:30 p.m. hosted by Chamber Women
APRIL 24TH—GOLDEN SPOON CREAMERY GRAND OPENING, 832 Queen Street, 5:30 P.M.
APRIL 28TH—ASSOCIATED INSURANCE BENEFITS LLC/MACK’S ON WEST CHAMBER ADVANTAGE NIGHT, Mack’s on West, 692 West Street, 5:30 p.m.
GIRLS’ NIGHT OUT—MAY 20TH, 5:00 P.M. at the Aqua Turf. 26 vendors!!!
CHAMBER NEWS
CONGRATULATIONS TO:
RON INGRISELLI for celebrating the 20th Anniversary of Ingriselli Carpentry, LLC on March 20th!
CITY ROOFING & SIDING celebrates 50-year Anniversary. Founded in 1958 by John “Jake” Lasek of Southington and Thomas Cahill of Meriden, City Roofing and Siding is a third-generation, family owned business. Currently, James Lasek son of John Lasek and Matthew Lasek, John’s Grandson serve as President and Vice President.
THE RESIDENCE INN SOUTHINGTON was one of only twelve Marriott Residence Inns in North America to receive the Platinum Award, given to those hotels who achieve exceptional guest satisfaction scores. Carol Secondino was one of five general managers to receive the Diamond General Manager of the Year Award. Additionally, the Southington Residence Inn received the following awards: Highest Guest Satisfaction for Arrival Experience, Elite Recognition, Cleanliness and Overall Service and Lowest Problem Incidence.
HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS SOUTHINGTON was named by the Waterford Hotel Group a 2007 “Be a Passionate and Committed Team” award winner during the company’s recent Leadership Conference, in recognition of keeping with company core values. General Manager Lindsey Holmes and Director of Sales Pamela Perrelli accepted the award at the 18th Annual Leadership Conference.
MIDSTATE MEDICAL CENTER announces that it has received approval from the State to move forward with its proposed expansion project. The hospital will proceed with plans for the $45 million, 100,000 square foot expansion, which will include the addition of 54 treatment beds in the new enlarged Emergency Department, construction of a four-story pavilion for increased inpatient beds, shelled space for future growth, and other facility upgrades, such as increased parking and covered patient drop-off areas.
HELP WANTED
COMPUPRINT - A local printing company has an immediate part-time position available. Pre-Press production person needed for digital & offset printer. Must have typesetting, layout & pre-flight experience. Knowledge of software will include: Mac OSX & PC, CS3, Quark, Pagemaker, Word, Publisher. Customer Service background a plus. Please contact Phyllis @ 860-276-8770 to schedule an appointment.
