By Joan F. Simoneau, Community Reporter
Marlborough – More than 30 members of the business community put aside their technological devices to meet face-to-face at a First Tuesday Business Talk networking session Aug. 4, sponsored by the Greater Marlborough Chamber of Commerce. Attendees introduced themselves and spoke about their businesses, while exchanging business cards and listening attentively.
Chamber President and CEO Susanne Morreale Leeber welcomed all and encouraged them to speak and share their business experience and become aware of the many connections and resources that are available to help them achieve success.
“We average from 10 to 15 people at each meeting,” said Linda Vissat, the chamber’s membership director. “This past Tuesday we hit an all time high of 32 guests. This venue is gaining in popularity because people like to network in smaller, more intimate settings and really leave feeling that they have made some meaningful connections. It is free to members and non-members alike.”
First Tuesday Talks are hosted by Mary and Randy Scott, owners of the Main Street Café, who offer free coffee with breakfast purchase.
New members attending the Tuesday Talk included Elizabeth August from Simplify, Simplify; Dr. Mojgan Rahimi from Prime Smile Dental, and Steve Doyle from Steve Doyle WEB Solutions.
All new members are assigned an ambassador, a chamber member who mentors them and continually reaches out to ensure that they are up-to-date with all benefits and services offered. Ambassadors present each one a plaque at their initial meeting and take photos for marketing and promotion by the chamber. Among ambassadors meeting with new and prospective members at the event were David Rose, assistant vice president and branch manager at Commerce Bank on Maple Street in Marlborough, and Charles Frankian, a financial services professional at New York Life Insurance Company.
“I am finding it very challenging – meeting chamber members, face to face, connecting the name with the face,” said first-time attendee Cooper Ceralo, a financial advisor for Merrill Lynch, Westborough.
Other events open to all are the Third Friday Eye Opener Networking Talks, held 8 to 9 a.m. at the chamber; and Business after Hours sessions held 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at new locations and dates each month.
In praising the city of Marlborough and its leaders, Leeber said: “The city is doing very well. It has a great infrastructure. There are a lot of new businesses in the city and many are becoming active in the chamber.”
She extended an invitation to participate in the chamber’s annual Business Expo Thursday, Sept. 10, at the Courtyard by Marriot in Marlborough and encouraged all to become acquainted with candidates for mayor in the city election this fall. She will be interviewing mayoral candidates on the local TV station – WMCT-TV. For more information on the chamber, visit [email protected].
