Meta Roundtable: Empower Your Business with AI

Party at La Plage Westport &

Gold Coast Connect's Summer Networking Event!

Join us at Westport's premier party spot La Plage Westport.

Hosted by Randi Shapiro Lehrman

The Patio Bar is the place to be for Summer!

Meet, Mingle and Connect with the Gold Coast Connect Community at our Summer Networking Party, with networking the Gold Coast Connect Way!

La Plage Westport is a waterfront casual Restaurant & Oyster Bar showcasing a coastal cuisine focused on locally harvested seafood and shellfish, garden fresh produce and sustainable meats, served in a relaxed atmosphere with views of the Saugatuck River and Long Island Sound.

Event Location: La Plage Westport, 260 Compo Road South, Westport, CT 06880

Date: Tuesday Jul 22, 2025 - Hours: 6pm-9pm

Rain Date: July 23rd, 2025

Hors d'oeuvres, Music, Cash Bar, On the Patio

Mingle Tickets are $40 in Advance

About Gold Coast Connect

Gold Coast Connect is a Networking and Event Company, we produce a variety of events that connect businesses and consumers in a personal way. Our Social platforms are designed to promote our members businesses. Our Private Facebook Group for Fairfield County, CT has over 5000 active members, and is the ideal platform for our Gold Coast Members to connect, share and promote your businesses.

@GoldCoastConnect

https://www.facebook.com/groups/goldcoastconnect/

Business Facebook Page: https://business.facebook.com/GoldCoastConnectLLC

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/goldcoastconnectllc/

More About La PLAGE Westport

La PLAGE Westport is located at, 260 Compo Road South, Westport, CT.

https://www.laplagewestport.com/

@LaPlageWestport

www.instagram.com/laplagewestport

www.facebook.com/laplagewestport

Description Chamber Business After Hours take place at a different member business the fourth Wednesday of each month.

The Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce is the voice of our business community and the premier business membership organization in the region. Each year, your Chamber helps entrepreneurs grow their businesses, professionals lead their organizations, and community leaders expand their reach in support of a vibrant business environment and a thriving local economy that benefits everyone.

This event offers new, existing, and potential members an opportunity to make connections with other Chamber members and staff. During the conversation, you will be able to introduce your organization to the other attendees. In addition, you will learn how we promote and serve the Valley business community and your individual business through advocacy and partnerships.

Your membership is an important investment in the future of our community and your business. As a Chamber member, you have access to a host of events and programs that will help you grow your business. Your Chamber membership provides you with cost-saving resources, valuable networking opportunities, and a chance to develop your business skills.

Please join the Staff and Ambassadors of the Greater Valley Chamber in-person for this FREE event.

Network with young professionals from Bristol, Burlington, Farmington, Plainville, Plymouth, Thomaston, Wolcott, and beyond! You will be supporting two locally owned businesses, The Bristol Bazaar and Yellow King Brews, which are both members of the Central CT Chamber of Commerce.

This is an excellent place to network with other people interested in growing small businesses- whether you’re just getting started or have been in business for years, you will enjoy this refreshing perspective on achieving success.

During this interactive workshop, you will start to build your business plan – your roadmap for success.

You will get a pragmatic, straightforward tool for setting goals, developing action plans for achieving them, and measuring how you are doing.

You will learn about:

• How to research the market - your industry, customers, and competitors
• How to analyze your own business
• How to define/refine your business niche
• How to set business objectives
• How to create a simple action plan to achieve your objectives
• How to set up monthly tools to monitor your progress against your goals

Before the workshop, think about:

• What are your business goals? In both financial and personal terms
• What, specifically, is your product or service? Why would potential customers buy from you and not your competitor?

Presenter: Peter Tallian

Peter Tallian's expertise is in financial analysis, improving cash flow, budgeting, operations and team management. He has used these skills and put them to work in managing manufacturing, service and technology companies. Peter has worked with teams in the United States, Asia, Europe and Brazil. In his career with five very different companies, Peter has dealt with many significant challenges including growing revenue, effective pricing, cost management, accounts receivable and bankruptcy.

As a SCORE mentor, Peter has worked with about 40 entrepreneurs in a wide variety of businesses throughout Fairfield County over the past 3 years. He started his own business three years ago and is dealing with the challenges of growing a profitable business.

Join us for the bimonthly membership meeting held on the first Wednesday of every other month beginning Feb. 5, 2025 at different member locations.

2025 schedule:

• Wed. Feb. 5, 2025 | Location: Kent Memorial Library, 32 North Main St., co-hosted by The Kent Dispatch
• Wed. April 2, 2025 | Location: 109 Cheese Market, 6 Kent Green Blvd.
• Wed. June 4, 2025 | Location: Kent Art Association, 21 South Main St.
• Wed. Aug. 6, 2025| Location: Hudson Valley Preservation, 27 Maple St.
• Wed. Oct. 1, 2025 | Location: Wilson’s Café, 8 North Main St.
• Wed. Dec. 3, 2025 | Location: TBD

Experience a fast-paced, interactive workshop that moves you from endless ideation to validated solutions in just two days. Young, a certified AJ&Smart Workshopper Master with 15+ years of product & business expertise, brings an innovative yet empathic facilitation style that creates a safe environment to fail fast while pushing you to stretch your thinking as you work through hands-on exercises, including mapping solutions on impact vs. effort matrices and plotting differentiation against competitors.

You'll leave energized and aligned with:

• A complete picture of your business foundation
• Your validated top solution
• Immediate next steps for launch

Invest in your business. One ticket covers 1 business idea. Feel free to bring 1-2 additional business partners or team members (max 3 people per business idea). If more team members would like to join this workshop to work on your business idea, contact Young directly at Young@EcoAgilean.com.

Compare this to months of trial-and-error or multiple courses. This intensive delivers expert-level clarity in just 9 hours.

IMPORTANT: Seats are limited! Registration will close one-week before the workshop date. 

BONUS: there will be a bonus for the teams who sign up by July 

Money-back guarantee: If you don't find you have benefited from this workshop, you'll receive a full refund (minus at $35 administrative fee).

Come ready to engage—this sprint is all about doing, not just thinking.

Skills You’ll Acquire

• Define and validate key customers and their problems
• Mapping competitor landscape and identifying your unique value
• Techniques for rapid ideation and solution generation
• Building an actionable launch plan

What’s Provided

• All sprint materials and templates
• Hands-on facilitation and real-time coaching from a seasoned product and business coach
• Your custom go-to-market action plan

Who Should Attend

This workshop is ideal for startup founders, product teams, and solo entrepreneurs who are stuck in planning loops, overwhelmed by options, or struggling to move from ideas to execution. No prior business experience required—just bring a concept and your willingness to sprint.

Prerequisites/Safety Information

No prerequisites. Bring a notebook or laptop if you prefer digital work. This sprint is designed for adults.

Note: The workshop is 2 days: Saturday 8/9/25 and Sunday 8/10/25, 4 1/2 hours per day.

You must click below and REGISTER to attend at:

https://www.makehaven.org/civicrm/event/info?id=533&reset=1

Scroll to the bottom of the page and complete the information under Register (gray box) and hit submit. You will receive an acknowledgement by email. Questions? Email info@makehaven.org

What is Code and Coffee? Code and Coffee is an inclusive, informal co-working session. People of all skill levels attend, and we love it that way. Many people (optionally) bring projects to work on, and many other people (optionally) socialize the entire time. It's entirely up to you!

The Intro Circle

Near the beginning of the event (11:00 am), we do a standup in a circle:

• We first announce organizer announcements, updates, and logistics
• Round 1 - (7 secs max):
  • Your name
  • What you can help others with
  • What you would like help with
  • Job opportunities you're hiring for OR announce that you are looking for one. If none, that's cool.
• Round 2: Community events you wanna plug. If none, that's cool too.

Community Discord - come hang out before and after: https://discord.com/invite/xZNGCz6uXg

We will be looking to take photos during the meet up. Let one of the organizers know if you would rather we not include you in the photos.

This workshop will provide an overview of Social Security payments, including eligibility, application processes, and strategies to maximize your retirement income. AARP New York is your wise friend - with the financial education you've been looking for!

About the Event AARP New York is proud to present Money Mindset, a bi-weekly series of virtual workshops designed to empower you with practical knowledge and skills for managing your money. From credit and debt to benefits and estate planning, each session will provide actionable insights to help you finesse your finances. On August 12, join us for Get Social Security Savvy. This workshop will provide an overview of Social Security payments, including eligibility, application processes, and strategies to maximize your retirement income. Register today! And please be sure to sign up for the next session in the series HERE.

How to Join Sign in to your aarp.org account or create an account to register for events. AARP membership is not required. You will receive an email with the Zoom link before the session. Consult your financial advisor for advice regarding your personal situation.

Description

The Central CT Chambers of Commerce's women's-only networking group.

The Morris Public Library Online presents the Women & Money Online Series: How to Make Sense of Today’s Financial Markets, on July 16, August 13, September 10, October 15, November 12, December 10 at 1 PM, with Julia Strayer and Liz Maccarone, of Merrill Lynch Wealth Management.

The Women & Money Series is a way to empower and educate women of any age on financial matters that affect their lives. Morris patrons are invited to participate in the sessions on a monthly basis.

Register BELOW:

July 16th @ 1PM: How to Make Sense of Today’s Financial Markets: 

https://darienlibrary.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_1m8oxsmVTQmPLxqw9Wzmkw#/registration

August 13th @ 1PM: How to Make Sense of Today’s Financial Markets:

https://darienlibrary.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_JR07jXwjSf6RJy2IZvBRzw#/registration

September 10th @ 1PM: How to Make Sense of Today’s Financial Markets: 

https://darienlibrary.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_epE5rYgTRliog1eRrCwIRA#/registration

October 15th @ 1PM: How to Make Sense of Today’s Financial Markets:

https://darienlibrary.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_b5bTd0D4RDGV50-9BibX_w#/registration

November 12th @ 1PM: How to Make Sense of Today’s Financial Markets:

https://darienlibrary.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_PQJyS6M7SJKbMztioEYnEQ#/registration

December 10th @ 1PM: How to Make Sense of Today’s Financial Markets:

https://darienlibrary.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_yocfR_byTUinIZZTuRFp9w#/registration

Bios:

Julia Strayer, CPWA®, CIMA®, CRPC®

Senior Vice President, Wealth Management Advisor

Prior to joining Merrill Lynch Wealth Management in 2000, Julia was a vice president and private banker for BankBoston’s Private Bank for 7 years, responsible for asset management and trust services. Previously, Julia worked in marketing for 9 years with Merrill. Julia has a BA from Ohio State University and an MBA from New York University’s Stern School of Business. Julia has appeared on the CNBC show “Power Lunch,” CBS “This Morning,” WGCH’s “Women in Business,” in addition to featured articles in USA Today.

Liz Maccarone, CRPC®, SE-AWMA™

Vice President, Senior Financial Advisor

Liz joined Merrill Lynch Wealth Management in 2012. Liz works closely with high-net-worth individuals and their families to create personalized and comprehensive strategies that support their goals, including investment management, retirement planning, liability management, and multigenerational planning. Liz values the importance of establishing and cultivating relationships with families including the next generation.

Liz graduated from Fairfield University with a dual bachelor’s degree in Finance and Marketing. She began her career working at a boutique investment firm as a Business Development Associate, specializing in commodities and futures.

Get ready for a fun night of networking and leadership development with fellow CT CPCU members at Yard Goats Stadium!

Description

Join us at the Burlington CT Chamber of Commerce on the 3rd Thursday of every month! Connect with local business leaders, share updates, and discover new ways to support our vibrant community. Enjoy complimentary sandwiches and drinks while you network. Everyone is welcome—come see what we're all about!

The demand for consultants is growing. At this talk, you'll have a chance to determine if consulting is right for you and what is needed for success.

This program will be conducted by Mark Hehl, a successful independent consultant since 2001, whose clients included: Motorola, Duracell, Johnson & Johnson, Timex, Lufthansa, TIMEX, and others.

Mark will guide you through:

•How to start your practice with little investment.

• Is Consulting right for you.?

• Getting started

• A low-cost marketing system that works.

• How to sell deeper into organizations.

• Generating winning proposals.

• Ways to develop your skills inventory and your niche.

• When to use a contract / statement of work and when you shouldn’t.

• How to expand your business by power networking

Mark Hehl is a semi-retired consultant who is following his dreams by giving back as a public speaker and author. He is a former corporate executive and author of the book Amusing Confessions of an International Consultant. Mark has been involved in various technology transfer and operational excellence efforts in over 40 countries.

Join us at the Triumph OVER Trauma Empowerment Conference to learn how to overcome challenges and reclaim your power!

Network with young professionals from Bristol, Burlington, Farmington, Plainville, Plymouth, Thomaston, Wolcott, and beyond! You will be supporting two locally owned businesses, The Bristol Bazaar and Yellow King Brews, which are both members of the Central CT Chamber of Commerce.

Join Founders & Coders: AI Match Night to pitch, connect, and team up with Yale SOM entrepreneurs and CS talents.

The Morris Public Library Online presents the Women & Money Online Series: How to Make Sense of Today’s Financial Markets, on July 16, August 13, September 10, October 15, November 12, December 10 at 1 PM, with Julia Strayer and Liz Maccarone, of Merrill Lynch Wealth Management.

The Women & Money Series is a way to empower and educate women of any age on financial matters that affect their lives. Morris patrons are invited to participate in the sessions on a monthly basis.

Register BELOW:

July 16th @ 1PM: How to Make Sense of Today’s Financial Markets: 

https://darienlibrary.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_1m8oxsmVTQmPLxqw9Wzmkw#/registration

August 13th @ 1PM: How to Make Sense of Today’s Financial Markets:

https://darienlibrary.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_JR07jXwjSf6RJy2IZvBRzw#/registration

September 10th @ 1PM: How to Make Sense of Today’s Financial Markets: 

https://darienlibrary.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_epE5rYgTRliog1eRrCwIRA#/registration

October 15th @ 1PM: How to Make Sense of Today’s Financial Markets:

https://darienlibrary.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_b5bTd0D4RDGV50-9BibX_w#/registration

November 12th @ 1PM: How to Make Sense of Today’s Financial Markets:

https://darienlibrary.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_PQJyS6M7SJKbMztioEYnEQ#/registration

December 10th @ 1PM: How to Make Sense of Today’s Financial Markets:

https://darienlibrary.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_yocfR_byTUinIZZTuRFp9w#/registration

Bios:

Julia Strayer, CPWA®, CIMA®, CRPC®

Senior Vice President, Wealth Management Advisor

Prior to joining Merrill Lynch Wealth Management in 2000, Julia was a vice president and private banker for BankBoston’s Private Bank for 7 years, responsible for asset management and trust services. Previously, Julia worked in marketing for 9 years with Merrill. Julia has a BA from Ohio State University and an MBA from New York University’s Stern School of Business. Julia has appeared on the CNBC show “Power Lunch,” CBS “This Morning,” WGCH’s “Women in Business,” in addition to featured articles in USA Today.

Liz Maccarone, CRPC®, SE-AWMA™

Vice President, Senior Financial Advisor

Liz joined Merrill Lynch Wealth Management in 2012. Liz works closely with high-net-worth individuals and their families to create personalized and comprehensive strategies that support their goals, including investment management, retirement planning, liability management, and multigenerational planning. Liz values the importance of establishing and cultivating relationships with families including the next generation.

Liz graduated from Fairfield University with a dual bachelor’s degree in Finance and Marketing. She began her career working at a boutique investment firm as a Business Development Associate, specializing in commodities and futures.

Description

Join the Burlington Chamber for an engaging evening of networking at Keystone Place at Newbury Brook in Torrington.

Join us at the Burlington CT Chamber of Commerce on the 3rd Thursday of every month! Connect with local business leaders, share updates, and discover new ways to support our vibrant community. Enjoy complimentary sandwiches and drinks while you network. Everyone is welcome—come see what we're all about!

Join Pioneer Health for a delicious meal where we'll be discussing the art of compounding pearls in a fun and interactive presentation!

Description

In proud partnership with The Mark Twain House, On Tuesdays We Wear Black LLC is hosting New England's Second annual premier professional training event! Join us for a one-day comprehensive workshop for business professionals where you'll learn about the most up-to-date grief and bereavement tools to help support loss in the workplace.

The Grief Awareness & Education Conference aims to provide meaningful insights and strategies to navigate grief, loss, and bereavement within the context of personal and organizational change. Through inspiring presentations and actionable takeaways, we seek to foster a deeper understanding of these universal experiences and empower attendees to embrace change with resilience and empathy.

Why Attend?

• Gain insights into how grief and loss impact individuals and organizations.
• Learn actionable strategies to embrace change and foster growth.
• Connect with like-minded professionals who are committed to creating supportive, empathetic workplaces.
• Hear from expert speakers sharing personal stories, research, and best practices.

Key Details:

The conference will feature a curated selection of 60-minute presentations by leading speakers, with opportunities for Q&A, interactive discussions, and networking.

Topics Covered:

• Personal resilience during times of loss
• Supporting teams through grief and transition
• The intersection of grief and professional growth
• Creating compassionate work environments

Who Should Attend?

• Business leaders and managers
• HR professionals
• Organizational development specialists
• Counselors and wellness advocates
• Anyone interested in understanding the role of grief in personal and professional settings

Tickets include lunch and a digital toolbox! This event is being facilitated by industry leading experts, who will speak on various facets of bereavement through a grief lens, which has been directly linked to increased retention rates as well as employee productivity.

Network with young professionals from Bristol, Burlington, Farmington, Plainville, Plymouth, Thomaston, Wolcott, and beyond! You will be supporting two locally owned businesses, The Bristol Bazaar and Yellow King Brews, which are both members of the Central CT Chamber of Commerce.

Join us for the bimonthly membership meeting held on the first Wednesday of every other month beginning Feb. 5, 2025 at different member locations.

2025 schedule:

• Wed. Feb. 5, 2025 | Location: Kent Memorial Library, 32 North Main St., co-hosted by The Kent Dispatch
• Wed. April 2, 2025 | Location: 109 Cheese Market, 6 Kent Green Blvd.
• Wed. June 4, 2025 | Location: Kent Art Association, 21 South Main St.
• Wed. Aug. 6, 2025| Location: Hudson Valley Preservation, 27 Maple St.
• Wed. Oct. 1, 2025 | Location: Wilson’s Café, 8 North Main St.
• Wed. Dec. 3, 2025 | Location: TBD

The Morris Public Library Online presents the Women & Money Online Series: How to Make Sense of Today’s Financial Markets, on July 16, August 13, September 10, October 15, November 12, December 10 at 1 PM, with Julia Strayer and Liz Maccarone, of Merrill Lynch Wealth Management.

The Women & Money Series is a way to empower and educate women of any age on financial matters that affect their lives. Morris patrons are invited to participate in the sessions on a monthly basis.

Register BELOW:

July 16th @ 1PM: How to Make Sense of Today’s Financial Markets: 

https://darienlibrary.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_1m8oxsmVTQmPLxqw9Wzmkw#/registration

August 13th @ 1PM: How to Make Sense of Today’s Financial Markets:

https://darienlibrary.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_JR07jXwjSf6RJy2IZvBRzw#/registration

September 10th @ 1PM: How to Make Sense of Today’s Financial Markets: 

https://darienlibrary.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_epE5rYgTRliog1eRrCwIRA#/registration

October 15th @ 1PM: How to Make Sense of Today’s Financial Markets:

https://darienlibrary.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_b5bTd0D4RDGV50-9BibX_w#/registration

November 12th @ 1PM: How to Make Sense of Today’s Financial Markets:

https://darienlibrary.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_PQJyS6M7SJKbMztioEYnEQ#/registration

December 10th @ 1PM: How to Make Sense of Today’s Financial Markets:

https://darienlibrary.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_yocfR_byTUinIZZTuRFp9w#/registration

Bios:

Julia Strayer, CPWA®, CIMA®, CRPC®

Senior Vice President, Wealth Management Advisor

Prior to joining Merrill Lynch Wealth Management in 2000, Julia was a vice president and private banker for BankBoston’s Private Bank for 7 years, responsible for asset management and trust services. Previously, Julia worked in marketing for 9 years with Merrill. Julia has a BA from Ohio State University and an MBA from New York University’s Stern School of Business. Julia has appeared on the CNBC show “Power Lunch,” CBS “This Morning,” WGCH’s “Women in Business,” in addition to featured articles in USA Today.

Liz Maccarone, CRPC®, SE-AWMA™

Vice President, Senior Financial Advisor

Liz joined Merrill Lynch Wealth Management in 2012. Liz works closely with high-net-worth individuals and their families to create personalized and comprehensive strategies that support their goals, including investment management, retirement planning, liability management, and multigenerational planning. Liz values the importance of establishing and cultivating relationships with families including the next generation.

Liz graduated from Fairfield University with a dual bachelor’s degree in Finance and Marketing. She began her career working at a boutique investment firm as a Business Development Associate, specializing in commodities and futures.

Join us at the Burlington CT Chamber of Commerce on the 3rd Thursday of every month! Connect with local business leaders, share updates, and discover new ways to support our vibrant community. Enjoy complimentary sandwiches and drinks while you network. Everyone is welcome—come see what we're all about!

This symposium brings together scholars, students, and practitioners to explore fair and sustainable fashion consumption.

Network with young professionals from Bristol, Burlington, Farmington, Plainville, Plymouth, Thomaston, Wolcott, and beyond! You will be supporting two locally owned businesses, The Bristol Bazaar and Yellow King Brews, which are both members of the Central CT Chamber of Commerce.