Before we begin this week’s column, I must share that our 42nd Annual Golf Tournament has been postponed to Tuesday, June 10 due to the incoming storms that are set to peak this Thursday, during our original date and time. All players currently registered will be contacted with more details, so please check your emails.

Onto this week’s bulletin, manufacturers are invited to join our Manufacturers Council on Wednesday, May 28 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at CT State Precision Manufacturing Lab at Vinal Technical High School, Middletown for an evening of networking as well as a presentation by Paul Lavoie, Chief Manufacturing Officer, State of Connecticut. This event is specific to manufacturers. To register, click here.

Looking ahead to the very busy month of June, we have some exciting events on the horizon!

It is hard to believe, but the 7th Annual Middletown PrideFEST will be taking place on Saturday, June 7 in downtown Middletown. We are looking forward to a full day of activities including the Pride March stepping off at 1:00 pm and traveling the entire length of Main St, Middletown, a Pride Rally from 2:30 – 4:00 p.m., a Showcase Concert on the South Green from 4:00-7:00 p.m, and over 150 vendors, informational tables and food trucks, and a day full of acceptance and diversity for all. For more information, please visit www.middletownpride.org.

Then, on Wednesday, June 11, join us back on Main St, Middletown for our 28th Annual Cruise Night on Main Street, presented by NAPA. The event, being held from 4:30 – 8:00 p.m. will feature over 40 vendors, live music by the band “The 70’s Project”, over 800 pre-2000 vehicles, nearly 20 awards, and family-friendly fun for all. For more info on Cruise Night, please visit www.cruisenightonmain.com.

The following week, members and interested parties are invited to join us at the Sheraton Hartford South Hotel in Rocky Hill for our Annual Travelers Championship Breakfast on Tuesday, June 17 from 7:30 – 9:00 a.m. This annual event is the un-official kick-off to the Travelers week in our state. Hear a final update from the team at the Travelers Championship, our keynote speaker whom we are excited to announce shortly, and more! To join us, please register here.

The following day, our HR Council will host a workshop titled, “"Onboarding Employees" – A Panel Discussion with Various Size Businesses”. Join us on Wednesday, June 18 from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. via Zoom for a dynamic panel discussion featuring businesses of all sizes as they share their approaches to onboarding new employees, successful strategies they've implemented, and key insights into workforce integration and retention. Click here to register.

Rounding out a busy month, realtors and real estate industry professionals are invited to join us for an afternoon of networking and great eats at our annual Real Estate Council Luncheon, on Friday, June 20 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. This year, we are excited to hold this event at Terrazza Restaurant in Portland. During this event, we will present our 2025 Mary Ellen Klinck Real Estate Industry Leader of the Year Award! A huge thank you to Liberty Bank for their sponsorship of this luncheon. To attend this great event, please click here.

Have a great week!

Is your business celebrating a milestone achievement?! Have you recently opened, expanded, or introduced something new?! Let us celebrate with you!!

Take advantage of a Middlesex Chamber ribbon cutting celebration and let us introduce, reintroduce, or market your business to the community! We provide the “Big Blue Scissors”, ribbon and camera- you provide the good news! Ribbon Cuttings take place during normal business hours (Monday-Friday between 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.)

For more information, contact joe@middlesexchamber.com. or click here.

Volunteering is a wonderful way to make a positive impact in your community — and enjoy some sunshine along the way!

Here are just a few reasons why you should get involved:

• Connect and Grow: Meet new people and build your professional network while gaining valuable experience in a fun, relaxed environment.
• Strengthen Your Community: Support local initiatives and help create a stronger, more vibrant community for everyone.
• Make a Difference: Giving back and "doing good" is not only rewarding — it’s essential to building a better future.
• Learn and Lead: Develop new skills, expand your knowledge, and gain hands-on experience that can benefit you personally and professionally.
• Have Fun: Volunteering isn’t just impactful — it’s genuinely enjoyable!

Get involved, make a difference, and have a great time doing it!

Volunteer for Middletown PrideFEST – Saturday, June 7



Volunteer for Cruise Night on Main Street – Wednesday, June 11

CHAMBER MEETING SCHEDULE

May 20 through May 27, 2025

Tuesday, May 20th

10:00 a.m. - HR Council presents "Recruitment, Engagement and Hiring" Workshop held via Zoom

6:15 p.m. - Side Street to Main Street Business "Know-How" Program Class 14 Session 1 held via Zoom

Wednesday, May 21st

12:00 p.m. - Swing Bridge Committee @ Chamber or join via Zoom

Thursday, May 22nd

8:00 a.m. - East Haddam/Haddam/Killingworth Division @ East Haddam Municipal Office, Moodus

Friday, May 23rd

12:00 p.m. - The Chamber will be closed at 12:00 p.m. today in observance of the holiday.

Monday, May 26th

The Chamber will be closed today in observance of the Holiday.

Tuesday, May 27th

12:00 p.m. - Business Model Canvas Workshop @ Chamber

Please welcome them by visiting their website, sending them an email or stopping by to introduce yourself. The personal touch will help our chamber continue to grow and thrive!

Encore Fire Protection - Middletown

Gallagher - West Hartford

New Inn Kennels - East Haddam

Revive Art & Craft Supply, LLC - Middletown

Steven Thrasher - New Haven

T K & Brown's Flowers - Rocky Hill

Unbundled Property Management - Cromwell

Zenith Property Ventures, LLC - Cromwell

Register

Register

Golf Clinic and 9-Hole Tournament Returns to Lyman’s Apple Nine

Building on last year’s success, we will once again offer a golf clinic and 9-hole tournament at Lyman’s Apple Nine Course—perfect for those who can't break away from the office for the whole day, and looking to sharpen their skills in a more relaxed setting!

This 9-Hole tournament will include a clinic with Lyman's PGA and LPGA Instructors, 9 holes of golf with cart, lunch, cocktail hour and dinner!

The event will give you a chance to participate in a less intimidating way and allows you to join your fellow Chamber members from the full day tournament for the post golf activity including dinner and awards.

Complete Information & Registration Form

Exciting News!

The Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce

Hal Kaplan Middletown Mentor Program is participating in the 2025 Birdies for Charity program! 

With your support, we'll receive a 15% bonus on every dollar raised, thanks to the generosity of Webster Bank.

This means your donation goes even further in helping us empower young people by pairing them with mentors who listen, encourage, and help unlock their potential.



Donate Here!

CONNECTICUT NEWS

We’re committed to keeping our members informed about key economic developments that impact our community.

Be sure to check out the latest Economic Outlook newsletter from Connecticut State Comptroller Sean Scanlon’s office for valuable insights and updates. 



May 2025 Economic Outlook Edition

On May 28, Innovation MADE kicks off day one of the Yale Innovation Summit with a high-powered conversation on how businesses of any size or budget can innovate right here in Connecticut.

Here’s why you should be there:

💥 Learn from the best. CEOs from biotech and quantum are dropping real-world knowledge.

🆒 Get full access. Your ticket includes all-day entry to the Yale Innovation Summit, the state’s most prestigious gathering of innovators, investors, and big thinkers with 40+ sessions and more than $350,000 in award opportunities.

🗣️ Talk one-on-one. Book Office Hours with public and private sector leaders who can help you grow your ideas into impact.

Register Now