A Day Packed With Valuable Information.

Charles Monagan has been a writer and editor for the past 35 years. During that time he’s had his work appear in a number of national publications, such as Harper’s, Yankee, The Washington Post, Newsday and The Boston Globe. He is also the author of eight books, including five humor books (The Neurotic’s Handbook, The Complete Neurotic, The Reluctant Naturalist, Poodles From Hell and How to Get a Monkey into Harvard) and Connecticut Icons.

Since he became the editor of Connecticut Magazine in 1989, the magazine has won several national awards for editorial excellence, including three gold medals for reporting awarded by the City and Regional Magazine Association. Monagan himself won the coveted Gold Medal for Reporting in 1999 for an article on Aetna Casualty Insurance Co. He has also been a multiple winner of annual awards from the Connecticut Society of Journalists, the first coming in 1974 and the most recent in 2009.

Monagan has an abiding interest in Connecticut. He has written extensively about the state over the years, culminating with Connecticut Icons, a collection of 50 pieces first published in Connecticut Magazine. He has even written for the state during a two-year stint, 1987-89, as the speechwriter for Gov. Bill O’Neill.

12:15 pm
Public Relations in the Age of Twitter
Presented by Vicki Thomas
President | the vicki thomas

Vicki will present a public relations primer on the basics, as well as discuss how the new media (Twitter, Linkedin, Flickr, Yammer’s and others) is a must.

Vicki has over eighteen years experience in running her own agency and is an Entrepreneur who has pursued both the for-profit and the not-for-profit sectors. She is the owner of Thomas & Partners, Media Relations Coordinator for Homes for Our Troops, and the PR firm for Dunkin Donuts.

Showcase Seminar Room – Upstairs off Lobby

Morning Seminar - 10:30 am - 11:30 am
Before It Ever Happens: A Proactive Approach to Risk Management for the Small to Mid-size Business
Presented by Paul Plouffe
President | ServiceMaster of Greater Bridgeport

There is no substitute for good planning. In fact, a study showed that businesses which spent $1 preparing for disasters saved $100 in recovery cost! That is a compelling statistic for sure. In light of the recent rain and windstorm that ravaged Fairfield County, Paul Plouffe will address the issue of being proactive in the face of potentially paralyzing disasters. Are you prepared today? What are some of the things that you can do to help your company get thinking and planning? This seminar will answer these basic questions and more.

Paul and his wife Mary Jane have been serving our community with excellence in the area of Disaster Restoration and Heavy Cleaning services since 1985. Paul began his career in ServiceMaster as an area manager for the contract cleaning division and was made a partner in 1987. He purchased the franchise in 1995 and has grown the Disaster Restoration side of the business from $60,000 to over $1,200,000 annually. For the past 15 years his franchise has earned the distinction of being one of ServiceMaster’s Top 200 International Franchises.

2:00 pm
It's not the Market, it's the Mindset.
Find out Why.
Presented by Kim Kasparian
President | Success Genie, LLC

What if you are sitting on a goldmine of hidden profit in your own backyard and just don’t know it? Join us to learn how to tap in to it.

Find out what the economic crisis really is and how you have the power to turn it around
How the “right’ mindset opens the doors to opportunities you don’t naturally see.
Seven steps to take right now to create an immediate economic recovery
The One sure way to create business right now!

Kimberly Ann Kasparian is the "Success Genie" and the creator of Success Genie LLC, a business and personal coaching company. Known for her genie-like ability to turn her clients' dreams into reality, Kim founded Success Genie LLC as a way to share with corporations, entrepreneurs and individuals her methodology for realizing personal and professional success.

No stranger to the quest for excellence and a joyful life, Kim overcame her own personal adversity by creating and adapting a powerful life-transforming belief system; a story that is nothing short of inspirational. From her own triumphs she has created a unique consultancy that specializes in teaching people how to identify and pursue their personal and business goals, and to succeed in even the most adverse and competitive environments.

She has many Connecticut corporations as her clients, including United Illuminating, Northwest Mutual Life and Bank of New Haven, as well as hundreds of entrepreneurs and individuals from coast to coast.

CTWorks Career Coach -- Side Lot of Pitt Center
Sessions will be held in the CTWorks Mobile Room
First come, first serve | Limit of 10 Participants

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11:30 am
Tips and Tricks, Transitioning to Microsoft Excel 2007
presented by Brett Middleton
CTT + Certified Trainer | Workforce Development Specialist

This program will provide participants with an insight into the layout and new features of Microsoft 2007. With a focus on Excel you will gain an understanding of how to utilize new tools in the program and how to locate familiar features from the 2003 program.

Brett teaches programs on a weekly basis throughout southern Connecticut. He has taught diverse audiences including Fortune 500 clients and small, customized programs.

1:15 pm
Prospecting, Finding, Getting, Keeping
presented by Donna Bak
Sandler Training

Participants will begin to explore the barriers which stand between them and successful customer relationships. This interactive workshop will identify common challenges and enable people to begin to improve their performance.

Donna began her career at United Technologies Corporation (UTC) working in IT, first at the Research Center and then at Corporate Headquarters. Donna progressed through various Technical, Field Marketing, Project Management and IT Management roles at UTC. Donna joined Sandler Training in 2007, as Director of Sales, to build and lead the Sales & Marketing Program in Western CT. Donna trains individuals and companies to improve their sales competency with a visible return on their investment.

3:00 pm
Customer Relationship Management
presented by Bob Kennedy
ACT Certified Consultant

Participate in a hands-on workshop demonstrating the capabilities of ACT 2010 Premium and see if this solution could improve the efficiency of your organization.

Bob has been involved in sales and software for over 25 years and specifically with ACT Contact Management Software for 10 years. He brings a wealth of experience in the actual use of this software from both a salesman and management point of view. He has used software to enhance sales performance since the advent of the personal computer and can help your company get the maximum advantage with the least amount of effort.

Brought to you by 9 Area Chambers of Commerce:
Bridgeport, Fairfield, Greater Valley, Milford, Monroe, Stratford, Trumbull & Westport-Weston Chambers and the Bridgeport Regional Business Council.