January 2010 Your Business Matters

The New Year always ushers in change, but 2010 promises to be extraordinary for a host of reasons. Understanding tough times are still ahead for our State and region, I know many of you are working to create meaningful and sustainable change in your Businesses as you prepare your business plans going forward. Surviving tough times requires tough advocacy. That is why your South Kingstown Chamber of Commerce is excited to assist you, as our valued member, with many new self initiatives to better our local business climate. We must think innovations in 2010 at our Chamber. The birth rate of new initiatives is needed now more than ever. Our SK Chamber Board and Staff are have been discussing and developing innovations that are needed for Small Business.
I am sure most of us are considering a resolution for the New Year. It might be to eat healthier, quit smoking, or even make more time for family and friends. Often with resolutions, we quickly slip back into our daily routines while the new plan fades in our minds and actions. As this year gets under way, we all are working hard to seize the opportunity to transform our business community into one that will shine…
At the South Kingstown Chamber of Commerce we take our member businesses personally. We're dedicated to helping each one of them, the people and business owners of Rhode Island and our region to achieve their financial goals. We are using our extensive experience, expertise, and ability to adapt and work harder than ever to be the best Chamber in Southern Rhode Island. We are determined to continue and deliver new and improved programs to our entire membership. It is clear to us, that we must do more to help struggling local businesses and promote our already strong "SHOP LOCAL" program. This business community has worked hard to increase the "CHAMBER SPIRIT" and bring back a sense of pride to our local retail stores and outlets in 2009.
Our Chamber is excited about our new year resolutions..like..
• Design your own Membership and Networking Packages
• More Member to Member Discounts and coupon promotions
• Upgrading our Website-Look for New Discount Web Advertising Packages
• On-Line Registration for all Chamber Seminars, Events and Programs
• Developing New and Enhanced Signature events- like "Dancing with the Stars" in April  and the ever-popular "South County Golf Ball Drop" in July.
• Provide more education and Business Seminars more than ever along with our Stufent Government Day.
• Partnering with State Economic Development to have a Satellite Office at our Chamber Complex.
• Developing more Community-Wide Non -Profit Partnerships
• Increasing the awareness of the Town-Wide Gift Certificate Program for our "SHOP LOCAL" Campaign.

Joe Iacoi

Executive Director - SKCC                            "Relationships Key to Success"

Member Spotlight 
RIEDC Offices Opening 

Chamber News
Chamber News

Networking News
#1 Networking Events of '09

January

8^th  First Friday Coffee & Flu Clinic 
Camden's Restaurant
8-9 a.m.
756 Kingstown Rd, Wakefield
$5 Members/$10 Guests
Flu Clinic to follow at Wakefield Walk In & Primary Care
RSVP on our facebook page
or email pmcdermott@skchamber.com

 
12^th  Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for Every Company Counts Satellite Office located at Your Chamber. 2p.m. at 230 Old Tower Hill Road

13^th  Network @ Noon  Liliana's Restaurant
 3009 Tower Hill Road, Saunderstown
$12 at the door RSVP on our facebook page
or email pmcdermott@skchamber.com

19^th  Goal Setting Seminar by Peter George                      9-11 a.m. (Free)
SK Chamber Conference Room
RSVP on our facebook page
or email pmcdermott@skchamber.com 

20^th  Statewide Business After Hours Chamber Networking & Hoops Night
5-7 p.m. 2 hours of statewide Chamber networking and hors d'oevres at the URI University Club - 95 Upper College Road, Kingston - followed by the Atlantic 10 Men's Conference Game. URI vs. Duquesne University @ 7 p.m. at the Ryan Center. Special Chamber group seating! $20 per person, RSVP and prepayment required! 

28^th  Joint Chamber Networking Event with Charlestown Chamber! Meadowbrook Inn
5:30-7:30 p.m.
168 Carolina Back Road/Rt 112
Charlestown
$5 Members/$10 Guests

Watch for our insert in your mailed newsletter and in next week's Chamber Chatter. We are updating our database for the new year and want to be sure we have current information for all our members so we can best serve and refer them. Be sure to fill it out and return to the Chamber by the end of January!

Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation's

Every Company Counts schedules office hours at

South Kingstown Chamber of Commerce

Beginning in January 2010 small businesses in South County will have greater access to the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation's Every Company Counts program

   Starting on January 12, 2010 Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation's (RIEDC) Every Company Counts will expand its partnership with the South Kingstown Chamber of Commerce and have scheduled office hours at the chamber's office in Wakefield, RI to assist small business owners.

   "As manager of small business services for RIEDC and the Every Company Counts initiative, I am thrilled to expand our partnership and to bring our services to South County business owners.  We recognize it is not always convenient for a business owner to travel up to Providence and we want to give the small business owner in the southern part of our state the same access to our services, "said Sherri Lynn Carrera.

   A representative from RIEDC's Every Company Counts will be on site from 1-4pm the second Tuesday of the month (weather permitting) to meet with South County business owners to discuss such topics such as such as starting a business, financing, site selection, marketing and business development.  In addition, ECC will be bringing some of its most popular workshops to South County starting in February 2010.

  "The Board and Staff of the South Kingstown Chamber of Commerce are excited about EDC accepting our offer to locate a Southern RI business office once a week on Tuesday's in our Chamber Office complex here in Wakefield. We are making sure we fulfill the need together and take the step out in the front together to proclaim all the good things about RI and connect our Greater South County existing businesses and prospects. This is an awesome way to collaborate during these challenging economic times" added Mr. Iacoi.

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SAVE the Dates: “Tuesday’s in February”

Building a Pathway to Profit for Your Business

Presented By: Mr. Paul Boisvert

Time: 9- 11am Location: SKCC Cost: FREE

*Please note that this workshop is part of a 4 week series

  RSVP before it sells out…

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Don't Miss Your Last Chance to see the RI Storm Professional Hockey Team during their Inaugural Season!

Sunday, Jan. 10th at 5:05 p.m. will be the last home game! Join us for the Playoff Game against the NY Aviators for the 2009/2010 Championship Title!

Kids under 12 are FREE! As a "Thank You" for our Support, the Storm has donated FREE tickets for Chamber Members! Stop by your Chamber to pick up your tickets before we run out!