Armbrook Village hosted Mayor Daniel M. Knapik’s first Coffee Hour of the new year yesterday morning. The event was sponsored by the Greater Westfield Chamber of Commerce (Photo by Steve Dondley)
WESTFIELD – Kate Phelon, executive director of the Greater Westfield Chamber of Commerce, believes her organization is ready for big things in 2014.
“We already have our calender organized for the year, with our standardized events, and our ‘After 5’ events,” she said yesterday after the first of the Chamber-sponsored Mayor’s Coffee Hours. “We’re now working on the programming for our specific members, based on the size and sector of their businesses.”
Covering Westfield and the towns of Southwick, Granville, Tolland, Russell, Blandford, Chester, Huntington and Montgomery, the Chamber is also looking to increase membership in 2014.
“We currently have 227 members,” Phelon said, adding that she hopes to bring onboard an additional 60 members in the coming months. “I think 280 is very doable.”
Phelon, who is entering her third year as executive director, said she is seeking to gain a more active presence in the hilltowns of Blandford, Chester, and Huntington, looking to recruit businesses like the Miniature Theatre of Chester, for instance.
“(And) home-based businesses,” she said. “Joining (the Chamber of Commerce) will be great networking for these businesses.”
Phelon stated that the Chamber is currently organizing it’s workshop schedules, as well as the speakers for those workshops.
“All of our communities are important,” she said. “And for the towns without the commercial industry of Westfield and Southwick, it’s nice to get to know your business neighbors.”
At the request of Mayor Daniel M. Knapik, Phelon said that private company tours for Chamber members will be returning in 2014, further enabling the ability of members to get to know their business neighbors.
“Each business in the Chamber benefits in a different way,” said New Business Developer Suzanne Sullivan, who was appointed to serve as a recruiter for the organization. “For small businesses, it’s for the networking aspect. For large businesses, it’s giving back, connecting with non-profits. It keeps them aware of what is going on and how best to give back.”
Sullivan also said the Chamber will be focusing efforts on educating businesses on pay rates, zoning, and educational seminars which will be hosted by Holyoke Community College, Springfield Technical Community College and Westfield State University in an effort to help businesses become more savvy with social media and website development.
“The majority of our members are small businesses,” said Sullivan, who resides in Granville. “For businesses in the small, hilltown communities, they make connections, reach more customers, and get their name out there, but the biggest thing they get is support. We’re looking to keep the local economies thriving.”
