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ACCGS Breakfast Club
7:15 am
Banking, Business Regulations and Our Economy
Steven Antonakes | Commissioner of Banks
The constant news messages regarding the state of the economy can keep us guessing about where we are at and where we are heading. Join over 300 of your business colleagues at the 2008 Business Market Show kick-off breakfast and learn the real story about banking and mortgage issues in our region. Mr. Antonakes will discuss the mortgage situation’s impact on the economy, the proliferation of banks and whether this is a good thing for business, current banking business regulations and what exactly a Banking Commissioner does.
As Commissioner of Banks for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Steven Antonakes oversees the Commonwealth’s nearly 300 state-chartered trust companies, savings banks, cooperative banks, and credit unions, which have total combined assets of approximately $200 billion. His agency also licenses and examines over 4,000 non-bank financial entities, including mortgage lenders and brokers, check cashers, small loan companies, credit sales and insurance premium finance agencies as well as collection agencies.
$20 ACCGS members
$25 non-members
Register online at: www.myonlinechamber.com
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Please note the ACCGS Breakfast Club is a special event that requires reservations in advance and payment. The exhibition and seminars are free.
Microbrew Tasting with Williams Distributing
12:00 - 2:00 pm
Sample craft beers distributed locally by Williams Distributing, including Magic Hat Brewery and the Hook and Ladder Brewery.
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Taste the Market with Area Restaurants
3:00 - 5:00 pm
During this special two hour period, our finest local restaurants will offer free samples from their menus. These fine dining establishments are generously sponsored by show exhibitors.
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Hair Styling with DiGrigoli
Enjoy a free haircut from DiGrigoli Salons while you are at Market Show! Paul DiGrigoli and his team will be styling and cutting hair throughout the day. Get a fresh look from these fabulous stylists.
Free Business Seminars with Industry Experts!
Learn from industry experts – whether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting out, there’s a seminar for you! A variety of informative seminars throughout the day! All seminars will be presented in the MassMutual Meeting Rooms, next to the Exhibition Hall.
Understanding the New Health Insurance Rules
10:00 - 10:45 am
Juan Campbell | VP of Sales, Health New England
Joe Lawler | Benefits Consultant, Gaudreau Group; Vice Chair of the Health Care Quality and Cost Council of Massachusetts
Eileen McAnneny | Senior VP Government Affairs and Associate General Council, Associated Industries of Massachusetts
Description:
How do we afford the quality of health care that we want for ourselves and our employees? How can those health care costs be controlled? Come to this informative seminar and hear what these three expert panelists have to say about the health insurance industry and how it pertains to your business today and tomorrow.
Benefit to Attend:
The cost of quality health care continues to be a concern for business owners and their employees. By attending this seminar you will have the opportunity to get up-to-date information on new health care issues and ask the questions that most concern your company.
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Innovation and Innovators: What Innovation Means to Individuals and Businesses
10:00 - 10:45 am
Panel Presentation from The Graduate School at Bay Path College
Sandra Coyne-Westerkamp, Ph.D. | Assistant Professor, Director of MBA Program
Richard Briotta, Ph.D. | Assistant Professor of Business and Information Management; Campus Director of the M.S. in Communications and Information Management
James Wilson III, Ph.D. | Assistant Professor of Business, background in software development
Description:
Innovation is a word we all know. In today’s world doing a good job is no longer enough; we now have to find ways to change and master our work in order to provide new directions or more intriguing experiences.
Panelists will discuss:
- Technology innovation
- Impact of innovation within nonprofit organizations
- The impact of innovation on information today
Benefit to Attend:
This session, presented by three “innovative” faculty members from Bay Path College, will focus on the different definitions and applications of innovation in education, small business and nonprofits. Be prepared to evaluate your own innovation quotient and discuss innovative actions throughout our society.
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Blogging to Reach a Wider Audience
10:00 - 10:45 am
Ed Kubosiak | Editor-in-Chief of MassLive
Description:
Ed Kubosiak Jr. is the Editor-in-Chief of MassLive.com, the No. 1 web site in Western Massachusetts. MassLive reaches over 350,000 unique users per month and continues to experience rapid growth. MassLive currently hosts more than 40 blogs covering everything from real-time news from The Republican newsroom to sports, politics, entertainment and business.
Learn how delivery mechanisms are changing the way news organizations reach consumers and business customers and how these same systems can help you reach a wider audience. Ed will share MassLive’s experience with blogging – what’s worked and what hasn’t worked in terms of audience growth.
Benefit to Attend:
In a world full of blogs learn how to make your blog unique and dynamic. Blogging can help you reach more consumers and help brand your organization. Learn how easy it is to launch a blog, both from a technical standpoint and in terms of resource allocation.
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Reducing Technology Cost While Improving Performance
10:00 - 10:45 am
Paul Whalley | Whalley Computer
Description:
This session will explore a myriad of ways to reduce the cost of computer and telephony systems while increasing their performance. This session is intended for business owners and managers as well as IT Directors. The majority of this discussion will focus on business performance rather than technical specifications. There will be time for technical questions at the end of the session for those interested in the technical aspect.
Benefit to Attend:
In what many feel are uncertain economic times, this session will benefit those companies who want to improve the performance of technology while reducing costs.
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Services of the Regional Employment Board
11:00 - 11:45 am
Larry Martin | Director of Employer Services, Regional Employment Board
Description:
Mr. Martin will give an overview of the Regional Employment Board at Hampden County, Inc. (REB) and the services provided, including training grants. The REB staff are solutions people who develop reemployment strategies for laid off workers, training programs for new workers, and internships for youth. They also provide information and support for employers to help increase and develop your most important asset - your employees.
REB is a business-led, nonprofit corporation established by state and federal legislation and supported by local business, education, and labor leaders as the primary policy-making authority in developing work force skills. The REB coordinates funds and oversees all the region’s funded worker training and employee placement programs.
Benefit to Attend:
Attend this seminar and learn about the many local resources available to you and your business for finding, developing and training employees.
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Understanding Accounts Receivable for Small Business
11:00 - 11:45 am
George Rooke | Senior Sourcing Manager of LENOX
William “Gus” Carlander | Executive VP of National Association of Credit Management, Inc.
Description:
When should a business require a credit application? How do you go about collecting your accounts receivable? When should a business turn over a collection problem to an attorney? When is small claims court the better alternative? Learn the answers to these questions and more at this informative session.
Benefits to Attend:
Small businesses may not have all of the resources of large companies when it comes to collecting issues. This seminar will provide you with the opportunity to receive expert advice and ask some of your tough questions.
About the Presenter:
Gary A. Doane, CICP (Certified International Credit Professional) has 20 years experience in finance and credit management. He is President of the Western Massachusetts Chapter of the National Association of Credit Management.
William “Gus” Carlander is Executive Vice President of National Association of Credit Management, Inc. where he is commercial claims division manager. He has extensive practical experience working with distressed debtors and the legal profession.
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Effective Marketing in a Multichannel World
11:00 - 11:45 am
Tina Stevens | Stevens Design Studio
Description:
In today's marketplace we are all multichannel marketers, so during this seminar we will look at all the possible channels your customer may be using in trying to do business with you. We’ll discuss the importance of developing a marketing strategy in order to utilize the appropriate channels while managing your budget and staying focused on your marketing objectives.
The following topics will be discussed:
- reviewing the marketing channels
- discovering what channels your customers and prospects use
- developing your communication messages
- using a marketing plan
Benefit to Attend:
Learn methods for making each marketing channel effective for your business and ensure that no channel becomes a hindrance to your business growth. Also, learn how to use your marketing plan to ensure you are visible in all relevant channels.
About the Presenters:
Tina Stevens is the Principal and Creative Director of Stevens Design Studio and the Director of the Multichannel Marketing Institute. She holds an MA in Advertising Design from Syracuse University and has extensive experience in strategic marketing. Stevens Design Studio provides strategic marketing, print communications, and web development services.
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IP Telephony: The future of voice communication is here!
11:00 - 11:45 am
Mike Girouard | SMB Specialist, Avaya
Steve Grout | Premier Account Specialist, One Communications
Tom Lucia, Jr. | Concero Networks, LLC
Jim Jones | Regional Senior Director of Technical Operations, Comcast Cable
Charles Tzoumas | Area Sales Manager, Hartford-Springfield, Comcast
Matt Crocker | Owner, Crocker Communications, Inc.
Description:
VoIP is the phone of the future. According to a 2007 study by In-Stat, roughly 20% of businesses in the U.S. now utilize Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) for their voice communications solution. Those businesses that have migrated from the traditional analog phone platform to an IP telephony solution have realized dramatic cost savings, powerful phone features, and complete manageability. Learn what IP Telephony is, why businesses are rapidly moving towards VoIP, and how it can add to the success of your business.
Benefit to Attend:
Learn the advantages of having an IP telephony voice platform, and how integrating a VoIP solution can add efficiency, flexibility and significant savings to your company’s phone expenses. You also will learn what is needed to adopt a VoIP phone system, and how to successfully deploy a VoIP solution in your company.
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Four Keys to Recruiting and Hiring “A” Players Every Time
2:00 - 2:45 pm
Harry Gilligan | Breakthrough Business Advisors
Description:
Is finding and hiring the right person for the job a challenge for you? Would you like to learn how to reduce your hiring mistakes to almost zero? Would you like to learn how to recruit and hire “A” players? Would you like to learn what you have been doing wrong and how to fix it?
Then you need to attend this seminar by business advisor and management consultant Harry Gilligan, partner in Breakthrough Business Advisors, LLC. Harry has helped numerous companies find and hire “A” players. These hires have helped his clients to significantly improve their businesses operations and results.
Benefit to Attend:
In this fast paced, interactive seminar, you will learn how to apply the four principles contained in Harry Gilligan’s foolproof system for hiring success. This seminar will cause you to totally re-vamp your recruiting and hiring practices. It has been Harry’s experience that the practices many companies use when hiring practically guarantee they will not attract “A” players, but may also drive these high performers away– essentially ensuring meritocracy.
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Tackling Your Small Business Tax Issues
2:00 - 2:45 pm
Presented by: Peter Benton | CPA
Panel Members:
N. Andrew Robb | CPA, Managing Partner
Mary K. Lewonchuk | CPA, Senior Tax Manager
Burgess, Schultz & Robb | P.C., Certified Public Accountants
Description:
Each of the speakers will present a brief overview of current tax topics that are particularly relevant and challenging to small businesses today. Subjects will include choice of entity (sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation, and LLC), understanding and dealing with compliance requirements (fringe benefits, deducting the cost of business assets under IRC section 179, etc.), retirement plans for the self-employed, multi-state tax reporting and other topical issues.
An open discussion forum and question and answer session will follow. The audience is encouraged to participate and share information, experiences and ideas.
back to seminar page | register online
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