We're Not Just a Chamber of Commerce;
We're a Chamber of Connections
8

November 14, 2023

CHAMBER NEWS & UPDATES

Meet the URCC Board

Board Chairman Josh Vanada


This is the first in a series of stories that will introduce you to our Board of Directors.


URCC Board Chair Josh Vanada is a Leadership and Business Growth Coach fueled by helping individuals and organizations thrive. A proven business leader, veteran board chair, and active teacher, Josh brings over 15 years' experience in helping organizations turn vision into action. Blending the best of his own learning with proven tools, Josh specializes in transforming underperforming companies into thriving organizations.


Common challenges that Josh has helped others address include effective strategic planning, consistent execution, and organizational alignment, as well as leading themselves and others. Josh employs a non-directive approach, a quick wit, a critical mind, and a humble spirit to help realize untapped potential.

Double ACS

Jack Lank Talks to Kelly Fox of Christmas Is for Kids


Recently, URCC President Jack Lank interviewed Kelly Fox of URCC member Portia Planning and Wealth Management about the local Christmas Is for Kids program that will be giving Christmas to more than 500 local children this holiday season. Kelly is on the board of the Greater Attleboro Council for Children which hosts this program. Jack's show is facilitated by URCC member DoubleACS.


Thanks to the generosity of donors in our community, Christmas Is for Kids has been able to provide basic clothing needs as well as some special wishes for thousands of children since 1983. This all-volunteer run program provides new gifts for children in the communities of Attleboro, North Attleboro, Plainville, Norton, Seekonk, Dighton, and Rehoboth who would otherwise go without on Christmas day.


The children they help have faced many challenges, some living in homeless shelters, group homes, or foster care. In addition, some families have faced a medical crisis that has wiped out savings or forced a parent to stop working to take care of a child who is ill.


This year, the Christmas Is for Kids headquarters has been relocated to the Sears side of the Emerald Square Mall (third floor in the back of the mall) while they raise funds to build their new home.


Tomorrow, Jack will be interviewing Chris Rappold of URCC member Personal Best Karate about his Turkey Brigade that will be held at the Foxboro Regional Charter School, 131 Central Street, Foxboro, this Saturday and Sunday.


Join Us at Our Upcoming Events

Mark Your Calendars



See You Tonight

Tuesday, November 14, 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Alive After Five

with the LSN Networking Group

Plainridge Park Casino

Sportsbook Bar and Restaurant

301 Washington Street

Plainville


Cancelled

Wednesday, November 22, 11:45 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Extreme Networking

Springhill Suites/TownPlace Suites

65 Ledgeview Way

Wrentham


Wednesday, December 13, 11:45 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Extreme Networking

Springhill Suites/TownPlace Suites

65 Ledgeview Way

Wrentham


Cancelled

Wednesday, December 27, 11:45 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Extreme Networking

Springhill Suites/TownPlace Suites

65 Ledgeview Way

Wrentham


Host an Alive After Five Networking Event

in 2024

 

Interested in getting your name out there or generating more business connections? Consider hosting an Alive After Five with the Chamber in 2024! We'd love to help you 

network with local business professionals at your place of business.


Hosting an Alive After Five event gives you the opportunity to open your doors to fellow Chamber members and showcase your business and services. You supply the light refreshments, and we'll invite the guests.


Contact URCC President Jack Lank at [email protected] to schedule an event.


Tonight


Combined Alive After Five with the URCC Extreme Networking and LSN Networking Groups at Plainridge Park Casino's New Sportsbook Bar and Restaurant


Tuesday, November 14

Plainridge Park Casino

301 Washington Street

Plainville

5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Network with like-minded business professionals as we check out the new Sportsbook Bar and Restaurant at URCC Chairman's Circle member Plainridge Park Casino. Who knows? You might meet your next new client or referral source.


At Plainridge Park Casino's new Sportsbook Bar and Restaurant, every play is intensified by pure adrenaline. With a massive 49-foot video wall delivering action in crystal clarity, you'll feel like you're on the field surrounded by giants. Not just a spot made for viewing, this is a high-energy sports headquarters pulsing with the infectious vibe of die-hard fandom. Local brews flow freely as cheers ring out for electrifying plays. Signature game day dishes and cocktails take flavors to the next level.


Place your bets with lightning speed at our state-of-the-art kiosks. They are taking sportsbook experiences into overtime, sending chills down your spine with every point scored. From heart-stopping goals to buzzer-beating shots, feel the intensity soar through the roof.

Check Out Our Job Board


Our Job Board, an exclusive benefit for our member companies, is a valuable tool for hiring managers looking to attract and find new talent. Recently, we posted jobs available at URCC member Supercharged Entertainment at their Tap and Tavern.

Visit Our Job Board
Send your job postings to us and we'll add the information to our Job Board.

And for the past couple of months, we have been offering a new service. Each week, we'll post new job listings on our Facebook page.

Your posting will be seen by many potential job candidates.

Send your job postings to [email protected].

We're looking forward to helping you fill your open positions.
MEMBER NEWS AND UPDATES
cartoon_santa_wave.jpg

Plainridge Park Casino's Holiday Sip & Shop Craft Fair


Support Small Business and Shop Local This Holiday Season


Saturday, December 2 

9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

The Loft at Plainridge Park Casino

General Admission is FREE!


Get into the holiday spirit at Plainridge Park Casino's Holiday Sip & Shop Craft Fair! This festive event features local artisans selling their handmade crafts while you enjoy holiday cookies, carols, and champagne. Support small businesses and shop local this holiday season.


With a wide variety of products from home goods to jewelry and fashion, you'll be able to find just what you're looking for at Plainridge Park Casino's Holiday Sip & Shop Craft Fair.



Visit The Loft for a day of shopping local craft vendors, enjoying live Christmas music, decorating cookies, and sipping champagne. Find unique handmade gifts for everyone on your list. This family-friendly event will get you ready for the holidays!


All General Admission ticket holders who provide their PENN Play ID # will be automatically entered into a $500 PENN Slot Play raffle! The winner will be announced on Plainridge Park Casino's Twitter Page



The New Sportsbook, The Loft, the Revolution Lounge, Entertainment, and, of Course, Slots and Table Games


Wow!


If you're looking for excitement and winning at a New England casino, URCC Chairman's Circle member Plainridge Park Casino, the hometown casino, is for you. You can play at over 1,200 slots or electronic table games, enjoy live local entertainment, choose from seven outstanding dining outlets, or hold your meeting or reception at one of their event venues. And they simulcast horse races around the country. You'll find an exciting experience and hometown hospitality every time you visit.


Plainridge Park Casino is proud of its PENN Heroes program and is excited to keep growing. The PENN Heroes rewards program gives our nation’s active-duty military, veterans and first responders access to special discounts, promotions, and events. It’s PENN National's way to offer thanks for their commitment to our country and communities.


Here Are the Casino's Current Promotions


Check out all the dining options here.

You can make reservations on the Plainridge Park Casino home page.


New, New, New

The sportsbook you've been craving is here - and it's about to change the game day scene forever. At Plainridge Park Casino's new Sportsbook Bar and Restaurant, every play is intensified by pure adrenaline. With a massive 49-foot video wall delivering action in crystal clarity, you'll feel like you're on the field surrounded by giants. Their jumbotron is unmatched. It is the largest indoor restaurant display in all New England!

The Loft features a wide variety of entertainment from stand-up comedians and comic hypnotists to live swing bands and musicians. Looking for an intimate night out? Come to The Loft and see what everyone is talking about. Friday and Saturday from 8:00 p.m. to midnight, the Revolution Lounge features the area's best live bands and DJs. Whether you want to dance the night away or relax and hang out with friends, the Revolution Lounge is a great place to unwind after a long week. Best of all, all shows at the Revolution Lounge are completely FREE with no cover charge. No ticket or reservation required!

Here's the lineup for the Revolution Lounge for the rest of the year.


  • Friday, November 17: Odyssey and Brass Daddies
  • Saturday, November 18: Northeast Groove
  • Friday, November 24: Zero Drift Band
  • Saturday, November 25: Played Out
  • Friday, December 1: The Far
  • Saturday, December 2: The Midnight Callers
  • Friday, December 8: Front & Center
  • Saturday, December 9: Be Kind Rewind
  • Friday, December 15: Mugsy
  • Saturday, December 16: Thirty 6 Red
  • Friday, December 22: Petty Larceny
  • Saturday, December 23: Northeast Groove
  • Friday, December 29: Swipe Right
  • Saturday, December 30: Cover Story Band
  • Sunday, December 31: Silver Arrow Band


The Revolution Lounge's hours are 11:00 a.m. - 12:45 a.m. daily




URCC Corporate Partner 

An Unlikely Story





Visit their home page for upcoming events.


An Unlikely Story

111 South Street

Plainville

(508) 699-0244


Sign up for their weekly enewsletter on their home page.

Check out their Staff Picks section and take advantage of the expertise of their amazing booksellers.

Be sure to visit the Unlikely Café for a hot chocolate or delicious hot soup!

Café: 10:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. daily
Kitchen: 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. daily 


Click Here for the Café Menu


Webinar: How to Submit a Winning Package for the Small Business Week Awards


Nominate a small business YOU LOVE or nominate YOURSELF if you have an amazing story to share!

 

TWO SESSIONS: 

Wednesday, November 15

11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

REGISTER

 

Wednesday, November 29

11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

REGISTER

 

In this workshop, SBA Public Affairs Specialist Norman Eng will provide an overview of the SBA's National Small Business Week Awards and will share what it takes to submit an application. He will share ideas on how to answer some of the questions and will review all of the required forms needed for the application to be considered a complete package. You will also see examples of winning packages from previous years and get your questions answered about the process. 

 

Questions? Contact: [email protected]

 

For complete details check out the Massachusetts District Office website: 

https://www.sba.gov/national-small-business-week/awards




November Events Sponsored by the SBA


Tuesday 11/14/23

11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

GET STARTED-Doing Business with the Federal Government

 

Tuesday 11/14/23

12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.

How’s Your Social IQ?


Tuesday 11/14/23

12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Independent Hospitality Properties

 

Wednesday 11/15/23

11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Financials 101


Wednesday 11/15/23

12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.

So, You Want to Be a Consultant

 

Wednesday 11/15/23

12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Health Insurance Options for Small Business Owners - CWE Central MA - Live Webinar


Thursday 11/16/23

11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Women-Owned Small Business Federal Contracting Program

 

Thursday 11/16/23

12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Generating Internal Support for Export Operations and Compliance

 

Thursday 11/16/23

12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.

DEI for Small Biz PT1 - Virtual

 

Thursday 11/16/23

5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Becoming Vendor Ready - CWE Regional - Virtual Live

 

Monday 11/20/23

12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Death by Powerpoint


Tuesday 11/21/23

9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.

SBA 8(a) BDP Annual Review Preview


Monday 11/27/23

6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Branding Essentials


Tuesday 11/28/23

11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

SBA 8(a) Business Development Program

 

Tuesday 11/28/23

12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Thriving as a Women Business Owner: Navigating Life Transitions

 

Tuesday 11/28/23

5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Marketing 101 - Regional - Virtual


Wednesday 11/29/23

10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

Social Media Marketing for Beginners: Reels, Tweets, Posts and More



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Visit her website
MEMBER OPPORTUNITIES
Massachusetts Small Business Development Center
Meetings Conducted via Phone and Conference Call

Nancy Lowd, Senior Business Advisor at the Massachusetts Small Business Development Center (MSBDC), will be conducting meetings by phone and conference call for the foreseeable future.

Call 508-673-9783 for a virtual appointment
The MSBDC is committed to helping your business succeed in Massachusetts. They provide free, confidential, one-to-one business assistance, and free or low-cost educational training programs to prospective and existing small businesses throughout the Commonwealth. The MSBDC fosters the start, growth, and sustainability of small business by providing high-quality, in-depth advising, training, and capital access.

JOIN US

URCC MONTHLY MEETINGS


Our Extreme Networking group, hosted by Marcie Rappa of URCC member Better Living Real Estate, meets on the second and fourth Wednesday of every month at 11:45 a.m. - 1:00 p.m., at member Springhill Suites/Townplace Suites in Wrentham. This exclusive group focuses on providing referrals so only one person from each profession is invited to attend.


Executive Express-O, hosted by URCC Chairman of the Board Josh Vanada, meets in our office the first Wednesday of every month.


Small Business Advising with the Small Business Administration is available remotely.


Help Us Thank Our Chairman's Circle Member
Help Us Thank Our Corporate Partners