MetroHartford Alliance Business Networking
Networking with high quality business results
Providing our members with the best and most efficient vehicles to growing and sustaining their business is a key focus of the MetroHartford Alliance. We work hard to provide our members with networking opportunities that will gain them access to potential business leads and position their businesses for overall success. The following are highlights of our monthly and annual business networking events and business-building programs for you to consider.
In this Section
- Rising Star Breakfast
- AM Strategy
- Business During Lunch
- Taste of Business
- Annual Government Reception
- Economic Summit & Outlook
- Small Business Seminars & Workshops
Rising Star Breakfast | top
In 2002, the MetroHartford Alliance launched its signature event—the Rising Star Breakfast series. This monthly event, which currently attracts between 200 and 400 business, civic, educational, and political leaders from the Region, showcases a broad scope of notable speakers on topics from economic and business development, politics, regional sports, and other issues impacting the area, the nation or the world.
The Rising Star Breakfast serves several purposes: a venue for networking; an understanding of ideas and issues that influence the economic vitality of the Region; and an opportunity for the sponsor of the breakfast to speak briefly about a matter of interest as well as introduce the guest speaker. In addition, the speaker has the opportunity to submit an Op-ed piece to The Hartford Courant for their consideration and publication in the Sunday Editorial Page section. Some key speakers have been Senators Christopher Dodd and Joseph Lieberman; Philip E. Austin, President of UConn; Chris Berman of ESPN; Maria Bartiromo, Anchor, CNBC; Congresswoman Nancy Johnson and Congressman John Larson; Mark Brown, Chairman, Mohegan Tribal Council; Ken Burns, Historian; UConn Coaches, Geno Auriemma, Jim Calhoun, and Randy Edsall; Dennis FitzSimons, CEO of the Tribune Corporation and James H. Hance, Jr., Bank of America.
AM Strategy | top
Looking for smart ways to grow your business? Then give your business a workout at the new AM Strategy, an innovative and interactive approach to networking, where ideas are shared and solutions are found to help your business succeed. Strategic Partners of the Alliance facilitate candid dialogue on the realities of business today, through their personal experiences and those of the attendees. A perfect program for business professionals at the top of their field, hardcore entrepreneurs, and small business start-ups who are willing and eager to share their success stories and challenges in sales and relationship building, marketing, customer service, products and services development, IT, and finance practices, and much more. In today’s competitive business climate, the Alliance is focused on helping you find and apply the right tactics to help you raise your bottom line and lead your company to greater growth.
Business During Lunch | top
Established in April 2006, successful business owners and professionals are maximizing their lunch hour at this new lunchtime networking event, Business During Lunch. This is an ideal venue for new businesses entering the Hartford marketplace to introduce their products and services or for existing businesses to keep track of the latest buzz in business news. This low-key, networking opportunity produces high-quality business results and long-term business connections. Held on the first Wednesday of every other month at a different restaurant or business venue where free samplings of cuisine are also provided.
Taste of Business | top
Meet the region’s leading entrepreneurs—the key engine of growth for our economy—at the largest, small business trade show in north central Connecticut. Held annually in October is the “Taste of Business” (formerly the TableTop Expo) at 960 MAIN in downtown Hartford. The art deco rotunda at the former G. Fox building transforms into a business emporium where more than 75 leading providers of products and services beneficial to all size companies in the area are showcased: printing, media, marketing and communications, photography telecommunications, hospitality, restaurants, banking and financial services, legal, staffing, office products, and much more. The event is free to the general public and offers low-cost booth fees.
Annual Government Reception | top
Join the MetroHartford Alliance for its longstanding annual holiday event of the season, where the Region’s business, civic, academic, and political community gathers to celebrate the Region’s accomplishments and look ahead to a collaborative New Year!
Economic Summit & Outlook | top
The annual Economic Summit & Outlook is presented by the MetroHartford Alliance and the Connecticut Business & Industry Association Economic where experts and leading business executives come together to discuss economic and political trends unfolding regionally and nationally - and how those trends will affect businesses. The program offers notable guest speakers from the business world, moderated panel discussions and outlooks on business issues, state legislature and the economy, as well as various breakout sessions that provide forecasts on the finance, insurance and real estate industries, health care, economic development in the region, and regional workforce issues.
Small Business Seminars & Workshops | top
Small Business seminars and workshops are developed throughout the year to meet the needs of small business owners. In 2006, the Alliance is partnering with the University of Hartford’s Barney School of Business and its Institute for Entrepreneurship and Economic Development in a panel series for entrepreneurs. These informal, interactive workshops draw on the expertise of top-notch business practitioners with industry expertise in the latest and hottest business issues effecting small businesses. These programs deliver practical information to help you expand your customer base and increase your sales, while providing an insider’s track on efficient cost-savings strategies to ensure you make smart business decisions that are right for you. Bring your toughest questions and walk away with straightforward, resourceful answers that will keep your business out front.
For more information on Events and Programs, please contact Sally Austin, vice president, Events at 860-728-2261 or saustin@metrohartford.com
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