BBQ to Hold Visionary Breakfast

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Local businessman Richard Stanley, developer of the new Beacon Cinema, will give a talk, "The Beacon Cinema: Adaptive Reuse to Revitalize Pittsfield’s Downtown," at the BBQ: Berkshire Business Quarterly Visionaries Breakfast on March 25, at 7:30 a.m., at Beacon Cinema, 57 North St.

The event, featuring a light breakfast, the talk, and a tour of the facility, is fourth in a continuing series, and is sponsored by BBQ: Berkshire Business Quarterly magazine, published by Berkshire Living.

The BBQ: Berkshire Business Quarterly Visionaries Breakfast Series offers members of the wider business community the opportunity to meet and learn from the area business leaders profiled in the publication. Stanley is featured in the cover story, "Screen Gem: Richard Stanley’s Midas Touch Inspires Hope for a Full-Fledged Revival of Downtown Pittsfield, Mass.," by Daniel Bellow, in the 2010 First Quarter issue of BBQ.

The breakfast event provides an opportunity for members of the business community to hear about best business practices of a successful organization. The speaker is introduced by the magazine’s founder and publisher, Michael Zivyak, and the talk is followed by a question-and-answer period.

Tickets are $25, and advance reservations are required; call 413-443-8200 by March 19.

March is Membership Month for Berkshire Chamber

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Berkshire Chamber of Commerce celebrates Membership Month in March, and it encourages businesses in the region to join for marketing and promotion opportunities, education and advocacy efforts, and "the best networking events found in the region."

In addition to the benefits that traditionally come with membership in the Berkshire Chamber, the organization has added more than $1,500 worth of incentives for businesses that join in the month of March.

Jen Glockner, the Berkshire Chamber’s Member Relations Manager, said that with the support of more than 15 member businesses, the Chamber developed Membership Month with the small business and sole proprietor in mind. The following members will be offering discounts and/or freebies to new members: New England Newspapers (including The Berkshire Eagle, The Transcript, and The Advocate), Custom Business Solutions, Winstanley Partners, MacFarlane Office Products, BBE Office Interiors, CompuWorks, Berkshire Coupon.com, Berkshire Jobs.com., iBerkshires.com, Vox Communications (including WBEC, WUPE, WNAW, and WSBS), WJ Blueprint, Berkshire Print Shop, and Quality Printing Company.

The Berkshire Chamber recently was awarded a 4-Star rating by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. The 4-star rating was given to only two chambers of commerce in Massachusetts and seven in the Northeast. This prestigious honor puts the Berkshire Chamber among the top 4 percent of chambers nationwide.

"The Berkshire Chamber is currently comprised of 1,100 member businesses and roughly 32,000 employees,” stated Michael Supranowicz, President & CEO of the Berkshire Chamber. "We hope to expand our reach by finding ways to get Berkshire businesses involved with their regional Chamber. We represent organizations and industries of every size and from every sector of the community to ensure that our membership is as diverse as the business-mix found here in the Berkshires."

The Chamber is encouraging its current members to get in on the recruiting action. The individual who recruits the most new members during the March wins a Spa Day or a Golf Day at Cranwell Resort, Spa and Golf Club. The runner-up will receive a $50 gift certificate to Taylor’s Steak and Seafood.

Annual membership dues start at $255 for businesses with five employees or less. Applications are available  at www.berkshirechamber.com.  For more information, call 413-499-4000, ext. 17.

Deadline Extended for Berkshire Leadership Program

The Berkshire Chamber of Commerce just announced that it's extended the application deadline for the 2010 Berkshire Leadership Program.

The 13-year-old program accepts up to 30 candidates based on an application form and written references. Those selected will attend a two-day retreat, facilitated by professionals, which includes training aspects of leadership, problem-solving techniques and networking. The retreat is followed by nine weekly, four-hour evening sessions on specific topic areas, such as government, energy, economic development, tourism and the creative economy, education, health care, and leadership.

It's part of the chamber's goal to develop and sustain county leaders from a range backgrounds who are committed to addressing community challenges and improve the quality of life in the Berkshires. More than 350 people have graduated from the program since its inception in 1997.

The cost to participate is $595 and includes all meals and overnight accommodations at Jiminy Peak Ski Resort during the retreat. Limited financial assistance is available.

Applications are available at www.berkshirechamber.com/blp and must be received by Tuesday, June 30. For more information, contact Ashley Sulock, program coordinator, at 413-499-4000, Ext. 15, or at asulock@berkshirechamber.com.

March Networking Events/Seminars

The Berkshire Chamber of Commerce is having its second Good News Business Salute meeting on Wednesday, March 10, from 7:45 to 9 a.m., at the Crowne Plaza, West Street, Pittsfield. The cost is $25 for Berkshire Chamber members and $35 for non-members, and includes a breakfast buffet. To register, call 413-499-4000, Ext. 26, e-mail choyt@berkshirechamber.com, or visit www.berkshirechamber.com. Individuals who registered for the canceled February event do not need to register again.

Lenox Chamber of Commerce is having its next event on Monday, March 1, at 6 p.m., at the Firefly Restaurant, 71 Church St., Lenox. Bring your business card for door prizes, which include a one-month membership to Lenox Fitness Center, golf with a cart for two at Cranwell, and a gift certificate for $35 to Furnace Brook Winery. RSVP to 413-637-2700 by Monday at 3 p.m.

The North Adams Rotary Club is actively looking for new members and is inviting those interested to join the group for a meeting to see what it's all about. The next meeting is Tuesday, March 2, at 12:15 at the Freight Yard Pub. Guest speakers also wanted; contact President Tracy McConnell at 413-663-2189 if you are interested in speaking about your business or organization.

The Williamstown Chamber of Commerce presents "The Marketing Transformation: A Road Map to ROI" on Tuesday, March 2, from 9 to 11 a.m. at The Orchards. Allen Jezouit and Jeff Stripp will discuss current marketing investments and "new media" opportunities. Free for chamber members; $25 for nonmembers. Wireless service is available so bring your laptops. Register at 413-458-9007 or info@williamstownchamber.com.

Spark!, the networking group for the Berkshires' creative economy, has rescheduled this week's postponed meeting for Thursday, March 4, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Francine and Sterling Clark Art Institute, Williamstown. For more information, contact info@berkshirecreative.org or call 413-822-8324.

The Stockbridge Chamber of Commerce's annual dinner was postponed to Tuesday, March 2, at 5:30 p.m. at the Red Lion Inn because of snow. For more information, 413-298-5200 or info@stockbridgechamber.org.

Pamela Smith of Esselte will present "Got Paper:  Organizing for Better Workflow and Efficiency" at the March meeting of the Berkshire County Chapter of International Association of Administrative Professionals on Wednesday, March 10, at Berkshire Bank on West Street in Pittsfield. Networking begins at 5:30 p.m. followed by the program at 6. Refreshments will be provided. The meeting is open to members and non-members and qualifies for 1 recertification credit for CPS and CAP. The cost is $5 per person to cover the cost of refreshments. RSVP to Melissa James at m.james@mcla.edu by March 8.

The Southern Berkshire Chamber's next Business After Hours event will be on Wednesday, March 10, from 5:30 to 7:30 at Lee Bank, Main Street, Great Barrington. RSVP at visitor@southernberkshirechamber.com, or call 413-528-1510.

The chamber's also sponsoring a ski night at Catamount Ski Area on Saturday, March 6, from 3 to 10. Lift tickets for Southern Berkshire Chamber members are $15 and must be purchased in advance at the Great Barrington office at 40 Railroad St. by Friday or the visitors' center on Main Street on Friday or Saturday.

The Williamstown Chamber of Commerce is having an after hours event at Gala Restaurant at the Orchards Hotel on Thursday, March 11 from 5 to 7 p.m. Hors d' oeuvres will be provided by Executive Chef Chris Bonnivier. Cash bar will be available.

Activities will include tours of the hotel, Wii bowling, a special announcement from David Rempell on the Williamstown Youth Center "Together We Can” fund raising campaign, and a special giveaway. After the chamber event, there will be karaoke with Brian Flagg.

There will be a fee of $10 and advance registration is required; call or e-mail the chamber at 413-458-9077 or info@williamstownchamber.com.

The Berkshire Visitors Bureau is holding a free, open forum discussion on Wednesday, March 17, from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m., to share ideas and strategies for soliciting group business in the Berkshires. The event takes place at the Comfort Inn and Suites, 249 Stockbridge Road, Great Barrington.

Public Relations is Topic of Next Berkshire Visitors Bureau Forum

STOCKBRIDGE, Mass. — The Berkshire Visitors Bureau invites any business person in Berkshire County to attend its next forum on Wednesday, Feb. 14, when the topic will be public relations – specifically, participants are invited to "share (your) ideas and strategize messaging for the Berkshires."

The forum will take place from 3:30 to 4:30, at the Norman Rockwell Museum, 9 Route 183.

Forums are free and open to all businesses in Berkshire County; for a full schedule, click here.

Update, Feb. 24: Due to the weather, today's forum has been canceled. It will be rescheduled at a later date.