Greater Valley Chamber Events Newswire

Valley Business Network (VBN) 4/1/2026 7:45 AM - 4/1/2026 9:15 AM

Wed, 14 Jan 2026 15:56:15 GMT

This group is meeting in-person only

Coffee & General Networking: 7:45 am - 8:00 am; Meeting starts promptly at 8:00 am.

To register to attend: please contact the Chamber Staff facilitator.

Valley Business Network is a category-exclusive networking group that meets on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of the month. VBN members represent a variety of industries and professions. The group's objective is to be a forum for relationship building with the goal of helping members to grow their networks. Additionally, VBN helps members become more informed business people, by sharing their expertise and learning from educational presentations provided by members and guest speakers.

Visitors are welcome. For more information on this Business Referral Group contact the Chamber today.

Please note:
Greater Valley Chamber membership is required to belong to this referral group.
VBN membership is by application and acceptance of the Advisory Board. There is a separate yearly membership fee due upon acceptance.

Meeting times/days may change due to special presentations, holidays, weather, etc.
Snow Policy: If Shelton schools are cancelled or delayed, the meeting will be held virtually.

Tech+ Council: The Hidden Costs of Digital Clutter 4/2/2026 8:15 AM - 4/2/2026 9:15 AM

Wed, 14 Jan 2026 15:19:42 GMT

Topic: The Hidden Costs of Digital Clutter
Learn how to reclaim your time and money

Presenter: Miladys Cruz-Fisher, A 2 Zen Clutter Coaching

Digital clutter is the modern equivalent of a messy desk, but it lives invisibly in your inbox, cloud storage, and desktop folders. While it may not take up physical space, it exacts a very real toll on your productivity and your wallet. This topic explores the "mental tax" of searching for lost files, the recurring costs of unnecessary storage subscriptions, and the risks posed by unmanaged data.

About A 2 Zen: A 2 ZEN Clutter Coaching helps people declutter and organize their lives by combining practical systems, thoughtful design, and supportive coaching. Their goal is to turn overwhelming spaces into calm, functional environments that are easy to maintain and support mental clarity and everyday living.

The Tech+ Council was developed to serve as resource of trusted advisors. It is a way to help bring an understanding of how technology can enhance business - and that is not as scary as it may seem. It is a forum for collaboration and innovation for Valley technology leaders as well as a way to bring awareness to local resources providing support, answers, education, development, and information in the technology fields. The Tech+ Council coordinates regular informative seminars on technology issues affecting area businesses.

Compromised of individuals and companies including but not limited to; Cyber Security, Computer networking, Computer productivity, data usage, internet presence, social media, software training, data analytics and those not in the industry but interested in learning.

The council meets on the first Thursday of each month at 8:15 AM. Membership in the Greater Valley Chamber is required for membership in the group; however, anyone is welcome to come to any meeting to learn more about the group or about the topic of the month.

(Meeting times/days may change due to special presentations, holidays, weather, etc. Snow Policy: If Shelton schools are cancelled, or delayed, the meeting will be held virtually.)

Seeds to Leads Networking Group 4/8/2026 7:45 AM - 4/8/2026 9:00 AM

Wed, 14 Jan 2026 15:51:59 GMT

This group is meeting in-person only.

To register to attend: please contact the Chamber Staff facilitator.

Seeds to Leads is a category exclusive networking group. Their group goals are to build trusting personal and professional relationships that lead to professional referrals and business success. S2L members hold one another accountable for the services they offer and the professional handling of their cross referrals so they all may continue to grow and prosper. Guest speakers visit to educate them on issues relevant to the times. They meet the 2nd & 4th Wednesday of each month.

Coffee & Informal Networking 7:45 am; Meeting starts promptly at 8:00 am.

Please note:
Greater Valley Chamber Membership is required.
Guests may attend a meeting prior to joining.
There is a separate application and fee for the networking group.
For more information on this Business Referral Group contact the Chamber today.

Meeting times/days may change due to special presentations, holidays, weather, etc.
Snow Policy: If Shelton schools are cancelled, or delayed, the meeting will be held virtually.

Valley Business Network (VBN) 4/15/2026 7:45 AM - 4/15/2026 9:15 AM

Wed, 14 Jan 2026 15:56:29 GMT

This group is meeting in-person only

Coffee & General Networking: 7:45 am - 8:00 am; Meeting starts promptly at 8:00 am.

To register to attend: please contact the Chamber Staff facilitator.

Visitors are welcome. For more information on this Business Referral Group contact the Chamber today.

Meeting times/days may change due to special presentations, holidays, weather, etc.
Snow Policy: If Shelton schools are cancelled or delayed, the meeting will be held virtually.

Healthcare Council: The Rise of Senior Bullies 4/17/2026 8:00 AM - 4/17/2026 9:15 AM

Wed, 14 Jan 2026 15:25:48 GMT

Please join us for our monthly meeting. Please note this is an in-person only meeting, there will not be a virtual option.

Topic: The Rise of Senior Bullies?
Presenter: Heather Hitchcock, Dementia Program Director

The Rise of Senior Bullies explores the often overlooked reality that bullying can occur in older adulthood, particularly in senior living communities. This presentation will define what senior bullying looks like, why it happens, and how it impacts residents' emotional well-being and sense of safety. Participants will learn how to recognize the signs and promote a more respectful, inclusive environment for all.

Anyone interested in learning more about the monthly topic is welcome to attend.

Coffee & informal networking 8:00 am; Meeting & program start promptly at 8:15 am.

If you are planning to attend as a guest, please contact the Chamber to confirm the location and to help us with our planning.

Comprised of individuals and companies in the Healthcare Industry including medical, insurance and care services, the Healthcare Council is a committee of the Greater Valley Chamber with a purpose to educate members, the business community, consumers, and government representatives on ways to reduce employee absenteeism costs, increase worker productivity and reduce overall healthcare costs. The Healthcare Council meets the third Friday of each month.

Please note:
Membership in the Greater Valley Chamber is required to become a regular member of the group.
Additional annual fee applies. For more information on the Healthcare Council contact the Chamber today.

Meeting times/days may change due to special presentations, holidays, weather, etc. Snow Policy: If Shelton School are cancelled or delayed, the meeting will held virtually only - those who have pre-registered will receive an email with a link to access the online meeting.

WIN - Women In Networking Council Monthly Meeting 4/21/2026 9:00 AM - 4/21/2026 10:00 AM

Wed, 14 Jan 2026 15:04:08 GMT

This month's topic: AI Without the Overwhelm: Simple Ways Women in Business Can Start Using AI Today
Presenter: Miladys Cruz-Fisher, iSpeak Creative & A 2 Zen Clutter Coaching

Miladys Cruz-Fisher is a multi-disciplined creative professional with nearly three decades of experience as a designer and founder of both iSpeak CREATIVE, a full-spectrum creative agency that helps organizations communicate complex ideas through clear, compelling visual storytelling, and A 2 ZEN Clutter Coaching, where she designs serene spaces that balance interior design aesthetics with thoughtful organizational solutions tailored to meet her clients' needs.

In recent years, Miladys has explored AI tools, automation, and digital systems, incorporating them into her own businesses to work more efficiently and make better business decisions. She is now beginning to integrate these technologies into the services offered through iSpeak CREATIVE as she expands into helping other businesses explore practical uses of AI including solutions such as Voice AI agents, automated workflows, smart websites, and reputation management. Her approach focuses on using AI not just for content generation, but as a strategic thinking partner for problem-solving, decision-making, and creative development.

Session Overview
Artificial Intelligence is everywhere right now, but many business owners still aren’t sure where to begin. In this practical introductory session, Miladys will demystify AI and show how everyday professionals can start using it immediately… no technical background required.

Participants will learn what AI actually is, how to write better prompts, which tools are useful for common business tasks, and how AI can be used not just for writing emails, but as a strategic thinking partner for business decisions.

This group is mostly meeting in-person and offers a link to join the meeting virtually if you prefer for those meetings. There are a few meetings during the year when they will meet offsite from the Chamber office and those will be in-person only.

The Women In Networking (WIN) Council was formed as a way to share hurdles unique to women in business by providing a warm, friendly atmosphere that is supportive, educational & dynamic. Members are a mix of female entrepreneurs, business owners, and key players in B2B services. They meet the 2nd Tuesday of each month -- Coffee & Networking prior to the start of the meeting. Those looking succeed, achieve & prosper through sharing individual knowledge, skills and resources are welcome.

In addition, WIN developed an Entrepreneurial Grant Program for Women In Business in the six Valley communities served by the Greater Valley Chamber. a variety of fundraisers to support this grant and their fund with the Valley Community Foundation. Since the Grant was created over $78,000 has been distributed to 86 women-owned businesses in our #ValleyCT. They also have a named fund through the Valley Community Foundation.

Please note:
Greater Valley Chamber Membership is required to belong to the group.
Area women in business are welcome to attend one meeting as a guest prior to joining.
There is a separate annual fee to belong to the group. For more information contact the Chamber today.

Meeting times/days may change due to special presentations, holidays, weather, etc.
Snow Policy: If Shelton Schools are cancelled or delayed, the meeting will held virtually only.

Seeds to Leads Networking Group 4/22/2026 7:45 AM - 4/22/2026 9:00 AM

Wed, 14 Jan 2026 15:52:11 GMT

This group is meeting in-person only.

To register to attend: please contact the Chamber Staff facilitator.

Coffee & Informal Networking 7:45 am; Meeting starts promptly at 8:00 am.

Meeting times/days may change due to special presentations, holidays, weather, etc.
Snow Policy: If Shelton schools are cancelled, or delayed, the meeting will be held virtually.

HR Council: The Cost of Quiet Quitting: What Leaders Must Do Before Disengagement Becomes Departure 4/30/2026 8:00 AM - 4/30/2026 9:00 AM

Wed, 14 Jan 2026 15:41:19 GMT

Topic: The Cost of Quiet Quitting: What Leaders Must Do Before Disengagement Becomes Departure
Presenter: Denisse Luciano, Centrix

Coffee/Networking 7:45 am - 8:00 am; Program starts 8:00 am.

Overview:

Employees aren’t just leaving organizations; many are quietly disengaging while staying on the payroll. This growing trend, often called “quiet quitting,” is costing organizations billions in lost productivity, declining morale, and preventable turnover.

In this highly engaging and interactive session, HR leaders, executives, and business owners will explore the real drivers behind disengagement, learn how to spot early warning signs, and discover practical strategies to re-energize teams before performance and retention suffer.

Through research, real-world examples, and a hands-on activity, participants will leave with a simple framework and actionable tools they can immediately apply in their organizations.

This is not a lecture; it’s a working session designed to spark new thinking and inspire action.

Learning Objectives

Participants will learn how to:

Understand the true business cost of quiet quitting and disengagement
Identify early warning signs before employees mentally check out
Recognize leadership behaviors that unintentionally drive disengagement
Use a practical framework to rebuild engagement and retention
Walk away with a 30-day action they can implement immediately

Open to all area businesses - owners, managers, HR professionals and those handling HR for their business and others interested in the monthly topic.

The goal of the Chamber's Human Resource Council is to highlight current trends and tools to attract and retain a talented workforce through education and leadership development. The HR Council provides an opportunity for business owners, managers, HR professionals and others handling HR to to keep up with the latest HR trends, gain more knowledge, and meet and connect with your peers. They meet the last Thursday of every month.

Membership in the Greater Valley Chamber is required for membership in the group; however, anyone is welcome to come to any meeting to learn more about the group or about the topic of the month.

Please note: AI note-taking software is not permitted during HR Council meetings. These meetings are not recorded.

(Meeting times/days may change due to special presentations, holidays, weather, etc. Snow Policy: If Shelton schools are cancelled, or delayed, the meeting will be held virtually.)

Greater Valley Chamber Events Newswire

Valley Business Network (VBN) 4/1/2026 7:45 AM - 4/1/2026 9:15 AM

Tech+ Council: The Hidden Costs of Digital Clutter 4/2/2026 8:15 AM - 4/2/2026 9:15 AM

Seeds to Leads Networking Group 4/8/2026 7:45 AM - 4/8/2026 9:00 AM

Valley Business Network (VBN) 4/15/2026 7:45 AM - 4/15/2026 9:15 AM

Healthcare Council: The Rise of Senior Bullies﻿ 4/17/2026 8:00 AM - 4/17/2026 9:15 AM

WIN - Women In Networking Council Monthly Meeting 4/21/2026 9:00 AM - 4/21/2026 10:00 AM

Seeds to Leads Networking Group 4/22/2026 7:45 AM - 4/22/2026 9:00 AM

HR Council: The Cost of Quiet Quitting: What Leaders Must Do Before Disengagement Becomes Departure 4/30/2026 8:00 AM - 4/30/2026 9:00 AM

Healthcare Council: The Rise of Senior Bullies 4/17/2026 8:00 AM - 4/17/2026 9:15 AM