Events

Description: School year programs are back. Click here to view the programs.

Location Info: 100 Lincoln St., Meriden, CT 06451

Contact Info: Click here to register.

Description: Create colorful shoes - or tote bags - in this 2-evening workshop! Instructor Kathi Gorman will guide you in creating a unique design and then applying it to a pair of canvas shoes using permanent markers. Enjoy two fun evenings out with great people, great conversation . . . and leave with shoes that are sure to be a conversation starter wherever you go this Fall! BYOB and snacks. Participants supply their own pair of canvas shoes or tote bag.

Location Info: 53 Colony St, Meriden, CT 06451

Contact Info: Cost is $30 for members and $35 for non-members. For more information or to register click here.

Description: GPS: A Guide to Plan for Success is WBDC's comprehensive business plan writing course, designed for entrepreneurs with a single, concrete business idea who are looking for instruction, support, and expert advice while building a business plan. Each of the highly interactive 9 sessions focuses on a critical aspect of business development, including marketing, sales, and finance. Included in the course is the Business Advisory Event, which provides an opportunity for you to pitch your business concept to an array of business professionals and receive customized feedback about how to move forward. Classes will be held on Oct. 9th, 16th, 23rd, 30th, Nov. 6th, 13th, 30th, Dec. 4th, & 11th, 2024.

Contact Info: Registration is required. Cost is $299. Click here to register.

Description: Gallery 53 is getting all decked out for the holiday shopping season. Every year, its staff reviews and selects hundreds of locally handcrafted items for a month-long Holiday Artisan Fair. There are gifts for every taste, budget, and interest. As always, they offer free 2 hour parking, free gift buying advice, free gift wrapping, extended holiday hours and Thursday Wine & Cheese shopping nights. They can hardly wait to show you the amazing gifts their Connecticut artisans have created this year.

Location Info: 53 Colony St., Meriden, CT

Contact Info: Extended Holiday Hours are: Tuesday & Wednesdays 12pm to 4pm; Thursdays 12pm to 7pm; Fridays 12pm to 5pm; Saturdays 10am to 4pm; Sundays 12pm to 4pm. In addition, they will be open during the Meriden Yulefest on November 30th from 1pm to 5pm.

Description: The Meriden Warming Center will start operations on Monday, Dec. 2nd 2024 and run until May 1, 2025. The warming center will be operated by New Opportunities. The warming center will close each morning at 7 AM, except during severe cold weather activations from the Governor. The warming center will be able to accommodate 30 individuals (male and female) nightly on a first come first serve basis. A light dinner and breakfast will be provided.

Location Info: 169 Colony St., Meriden, CT

Description: CTSBDC launches this 4 session webinar for Connectibut Small Businesses. As a small business owner, you understand the importance of being ready for opportunities. Whether you want to understand your numbers better, apply for a loan, grant, or credit line, or explain your goals using your numbers to increase your chances of loan, grant, or credit line approval and favorable terms. You will: learn to track the money coming and going out, so you know when you have extra cash or need more; learn how to read your financial statements, so you can improve the profitability of your business; understand the lending process and how lenders view your company from a financial perspectrive; and understand the role of personal and business credt, how to build and maintain them, and how to handle credit issues. Sessions are 12-03, 12-05, 12-20, and 12-12-2024.

Contact Info: This is a free webinar. Advance registration is required. Click here to register.

Description: Seats are selling fast! Get yours today! Presented cabaret style with table seating! Patrons are inivted to BYO food and beverages!

The winner of eight Tony Awards, including Best Musical, told by Duncan Sheik and Steven Slater through what Entertainment Weekly called, "the most gorgeous Broadway score this decade," Spring Awakening explores the journey from adolescence to adulthood with a poignancy and passion that is illuminating and unforgettable. The landmark musical is an electrifying fusion of morality, sexuality and rock and roll that is exhilarating audiences across the nation like no other musical in years!

Location Info: 59 West Main Street

Contact Info: Click here for ticket information.

Description: Good Cause Gifts will be holding a fundraising event where a portion of your purchase will benefit Kuhn Employment Opportunities. Light refreshments will be served while you shop their selection of apparel, home décor and gifts or you can shop on December 6th only by clicking here. Please write "Kuhn" in the comment box at checkout for proceeds to go toward Kuhn Employment Opportunities.

Location Info: 384 Main St., Belin, CT 06037

Description: Starting in 2024, all U.S. companies will be required to report information about their owners and controllers as part of new regulations aimed at combating illicit finance. Join our workshop to learn how to navigate this new reporting requirement, understand key deadlines, and ensure your company stays compliant. Whether you're an existing business or a new startup, we'll guide you through the process and what you need to file.Who Should Attend This Workshop?• Business Owners: If your company was created or registered before January 1, 2024, you must submit an initial report by January 1, 2025.• New Business Owners: If you are creating or registering a company in 2024, you have 90 days from the registration date to file your report.• Startups: Starting in 2025, all new companies must file within 30 days of registration

Contact Info: Registration is requires. There is no fee for this webinar. Click here to register.

Description: Save the date. More information to come.

Location Info: 41 West Main St., Meriden, CT 06451

Description: Are you hesitant to raise prices because you fear losing customers? Struggling to generate enough revenue or feeling overwhelmed by bookkeeping tools like QuickBooks?In this interactive class, you'll tackle one specific financial challenge—whether it's pricing, boosting revenue, or mastering your finances—and work through it with expert guidance. WBDC Business Advisor Janet Johnson will walk you through six actionable steps to help you confidently advocate for your business and build lasting financial confidence.This class is for entrepreneurs at any stage—aspiring, emerging, or established. By the end, you'll have practical tools and a mindset shift to take control of your finances and confidently grow your business! Class will held on Monday, Dec. 9th & Thursday, Dec. 12th, 2024.

Contact Info: Registration is requires. There is no fee for this webinar. Click here to register.

Description: CBNAlliance OPEN Networking Group Meeting: Join Chamber Business Network Alliance which is an OPEN LEADS Group comprised of members from the Midstate Chamber and the Hamden Chamber. All industries welcome (and multiple individuals from the same industry are welcome). Network and make new connections!

Location Info: 546 South Broad Street, Meriden, CT 06450

Contact Info: Call the Midstate Chamber of Commerce at 203.235.7901 or info@midstatechamber.com.

Description: Are you feeling a bit overwhelmed by your online marketing demands? Take control of your business's online presence with these top Google tools:1. Google Business Profile: Learn to manage your business information on Google Search and Maps effectively.2. Google Analytics: Understand how your web pages perform and make data-driven decisions.3. Google Search Console: Optimize your keywords and content to be user-friendly and improve search visibility.Get the skills you need to boost your business's online performance with this one-hour overview.

Contact Info: Registration is requires. There is no fee for this webinar. Click here to register.

Description: Fabric is your canvas; dye and ice are the tools you'll use to create impressionistic effects with Ice Dying! In this 2-session workshop, instructor Lynn Fisher will guide you through folding techniques and color selection to create unique items. See how easy it is to achieve the nuanced shading and unexpected effects that make ice dying popular!

Participants should bring fabric or items made of natural fiber such as cotton, rayon, bamboo, or linen. Cotton/spandex blends are ok as long as there is more than 50% cotton. Suitable items include clothing, tote bags, pillowcases and fabric. They don't have to be white… you can dye over lighter colors. If dying fabric, we've found 1.5 to 2 yards of material is a manageable amount. Everything should be washed ahead of time with no fabric softeners or dryer sheets. This will remove any chemicals that can interfere with the dye.

The instructor will have items washed and ready to dye, including various size t-shirts, infinity scarves, and hemmed 28" fabric squares, available for a small fee.

Location Info: 53 Colony St, Meriden, CT 06451

Contact Info: Cost is $40 for members and $45 for non-members. For more information or to register click here.

Description: The Chamber Board of Directors is made up of business leaders from different sectors who meet monthly to provide oversight to the Chamber's program of work and set policy for the organization. The Board meets on the second Wednesday of each month.

Location Info: 1181 Barnes Road, Wallingford, CT

Contact Info: Call the Midstate Chamber at 203.235.7901 or info@midstatechamber.com.

Description: The Midstate and Hamden Regional Chambers (which make up the Nutmeg State Chamber Alliance) invite you to join us at our Annual Mix & Mingle Holiday Business After Hours. Join us for candy cane networking, a visit from Santa, and a celebration of 2024. Treat the team, invite friends / colleagues and enjoy a FESTIVE evening while making new contacts for the new year.

Location Info: 1181 Barnes Road, Wallingford, CT

Contact Info: Cost is $50 per person. Sponsorship opportunities are available. Please call for details. Please RSVP online or contact the Midstate Chamber at 203.235.7901 or email info@midstatechamber.com to be billed.

Description: Join us to chat and gather information on how the Midstate Chamber can help YOUR BUSINESS GROW! Learn about our variety of programs as well as our phenomenal Committees. This event is FREE and we encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity!

This program is designed for "not-yet members" - feel free to invite other friends in business.

Location Info: 546 South Broad Street, Suite 2C, Meriden, 06450

Contact Info: Call the Meriden Chamber at 203.235.7901 or email us, or register online.

Description: The Meriden Healthy Youth Coalition will be holding a New Year's Bingo Bash. This event will have a fun and laid-back vibe, featuring a mix of bingo, creative activities, and an abundance of delicious snacks. It's the perfect way to get into the holiday spirit and ring in the new year a little early! Whether you're looking to relax or get creative, there's something for everyone. Parents are welcome to attend with their child. Schedule: 5:30 to 5:40 - Welcome & Icebreaker - greet guests with a quick New Year's trivia question or fun fact, give everyone a New Year's themed sticker or a festive hat, set up stations and explain the flow of activities; 5:40 to 6:00 - Bingo Rounds

Location Info: 105 Miller St., Rooms 2 & 3, Meriden, CT

Contact Info: Click here to register.

Description: Our SBA resource partner SCORE invites you to join award-winning strategist Maria Miranda, recently honored by the Small Business Administration as Connecticut's Small Business Person of the Year, for a fast-paced presentation about 25 trends for 2025 that will impact how you reach your market and how your message will be perceived.

Contact Info: Click here to register.

Description: This a Women in Business Group for chamber members to network, discuss leadership and industry topics, and have fun!

Location Info: 105 Miller St., Meriden, CT

Contact Info: Call the Midstate Chamber at 203.235.7901 or info@midstatechamber.com.