Bank Presidents Joseph Truskowski, left, and Charles O'Brien announced the merging in September and they expect it to be complete in 2012.
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Small-business development organizations and U.S. Rep. Richard Neal are sponsoring a forum on how local companies could benefit from exporting their products.
The Pittsfield Export Forum on Tuesday, Jan. 29, will run from 9 to 11:30 a.m. at the Crowne Plaza will feature two panel talks, followed by a luncheon with the congressman.
The forum sessions are free and open to all area businesses.
Neal will join the Berkshire Chamber of Commerce for a luncheon following the forum at the Crowne Plaza at noon in the ballroom; the cost is $35. Register for the luncheon here.
Neal will address the current fiscal situation, tax reform, exports, the recent AMT fix and energy independence.
The Massachusetts Small Business Development Center Network is encouraging those who currently export and those who are considering exporting to attend the event.
The panels will include business exporters from Western Massachusetts who will share their success stories. The forum also will feature an overview of a broad range of programs available to help companies with their international business efforts, including the opportunity of grant money available to small businesses to export. Following the presentations, participants will have the opportunity to meet one-on-one with government officials and local businesses to answer specific export questions.
Agenda
Welcome Remarks - Congressman Richard E. Neal
Panel One
Tom Gradel, Massachusetts Office of International Trade and Investment
Paula Murphy and Ann Pieroway, Massachusetts Export Center
John Joyce, Small Business Administration
Melissa Branzburg, U.S. Department of Commerce
Keith Girouard, Massachusetts Small Business Development Center Network
Panel Two
Mike Supranowicz, President & CEO, Berkshire Chamber of Commerce – Moderator
Mike Tweed-Kent, Vice President & General Manager, General Dynamics
Virginia DuBois, Inside Sales Manager, Interprint
Josh Levine, President, LympheDIVAs
Lyn Biasin, Supply Chain Manager, Onyx
Michael Hopsicker, President & CEO, Ray Murray, Inc.
Sponsors are Neal, Berkshire Chamber of Commerce, U.S. Commercial Service of the U.S. Department of Commerce, Massachusetts Small Business Development Center Network's Mass Export Center, Associated Industries of Massachusetts, CONECT, Massachusetts Office of International Trade and Investment and the Small Business Administration.
Bank Presidents Joseph Truskowski, left, and Charles O'Brien announced the merging in September and they expect it to be complete in 2012.
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire County Regional Employment Board and BerkshireWorks Career Center have open seats for two grant-related sessions.
This first session will focus on safety grants with a presentation by Kathleen Manson, director at the office of safety of the Department of Industrial Accidents. The industrial accidents department awards up to $25,000 to organizations to fund workplace safety training.
The safety grant session will take place on Friday, Jan. 11, at 10 a.m. at the second-floor conference room of 1 Berkshire Building (66 Allen St.)
Then on Friday, Feb. 1, from 9 a.m. until noon, Michael Corcoran, field supervisor, will present an overview of the three programs of the Workforce Training Grant Program, which consists of the Hiring Incentive Training Grant, the Express Program, and the General Program.
This session will also be held at the second-floor conference room of 1 Berkshire Building.
To register for either of these, email Barbara Emanuel at bemanuel@berkshireworks.org. For more info, call Emanuel at 413-499-2220, ext. 111, or Tom McDonough at 413-499-2220, ext. 138.
Berkshire Small Business Development Office to Host Free Workshop
Bank Presidents Joseph Truskowski, left, and Charles O'Brien announced the merging in September and they expect it to be complete in 2012.
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Berkshire Regional Office of Massachusetts Small Business Development Center Network will host the Small Business Administration's workshop, The SBA Advantage, on Jan. 10 from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at the Berkshire Regional Office.
This free workshop aims to help small businesses gain a better understanding of the various SBA programs and services available to prospective or current entrepreneurs who need assistance in starting or expanding their businesses.
General information will be provided on the following programs and services:
► SBA Loan Guaranty Program
► Small Business Development Centers
► SCORE – Counselors to America’s Small Business
► Women’s Business Centers
► 8(a) Business Development Program
► HUBZone (Historically Underutilized Business Zones) Program
► Government Contracting Opportunities
The workshop will take place at the conference room of the office, located at 33 Dunham Mall. Contact Oreste Valera at 413-785-0484 or oreste.varela@sba.gov to register.
Workshop Slated on Handling Employee Leave, Injuries
Bank Presidents Joseph Truskowski, left, and Charles O'Brien announced the merging in September and they expect it to be complete in 2012.
LEE, Mass. — L.V. Toole Insurance Agency of Lee and Skoler, Abbott and Presser PC of Springfield is sponsoring a free workshop for employers dealing with employee leaves and injuries.
The workshop is on Thursday, Feb. 9, from 9 to 11 a.m. at the Hampton Inn in Lenox. A continental breakfast will be served.
Susan G. Fentin, a labor and employment attorney in Springfield, will present "Leaves, Disabilities and Injuries: the Intersection of the FMLA, ADAAA and Workers Compensation Act." She will cover the basics of the workers' compensation and the Family and Medical Leave and Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments acts to help employers understand how to handle employees whose physical or mental conditions qualify them for protection.
Fentin is an attorney with Skoler, Abbott and Presser, which specializes in labor and employment law and represents only management. She is an associate editor of the Massachusetts Employment Law Letter and regularly presents master classes on the FMLA to employers.
Bank Presidents Joseph Truskowski, left, and Charles O'Brien announced the merging in September and they expect it to be complete in 2012.
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Berkshire Chamber of Commerce will offer a workshop designed to help area business owners utilize cutting-edge marketing techniques to generate leads, sales, and overall interest in their business.
"Mobile Marketing 101: Decoding the QR Code" will be held from 8:30 to 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 30, at the Beacon Cinema on North Street.
Julie Fruscio, business development and marketing coordinator at Excelsior Printing Co., and Ashley Sulock, director or marketing and communications at the Berkshire Chamber of Commerce, will lead the presentation.
The presenters will discuss QR Codes and help attendees understand how to best leverage these tools to bridge the gap between print and electronic marketing. Attendees are encouraged to bring their cell or or smart phones, although these devices are not required for participants to attend or benefit from the program.
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Berkshire Chamber of Commerce will offer a workshop designed to help area business owners utilize cutting-edge marketing techniques to generate leads, sales, and overall interest in their business. 
