Regional Innovation Center

🌷☀️ Spring into Smart Business Solutions with Ask an Expert! 🌱💼

A new season is the perfect time to refresh your ideas, refocus your goals, and get expert guidance to help your business thrive.

Our Ask an Expert drop-in series connects you with local professionals - whether you’re planting seeds or fine-tuning your strategy, to help you grow. 💡🚀

📅 Various Timeslots Available (Book when's convenient for you!)
🎟️ FREE & Open to Public
👉 Visit Info.ChamberECT.com/events to Book

Let’s make this spring your season of progress! 🌸🤝

🤝Thank you to the Eversource CT team for their continued partnership and support of the Regional Innovation Center’s Energy Conservation Program. 🌱

Through a generous Neighborhood Assistance Act contribution, the IC is taking another step toward a greener future with new front doors that improve energy efficiency in the heart of downtown New London. 🏢⚡🚪

We’re grateful to Eversource - and to all of our founders and members, who support not only business growth, but sustainable spaces where innovation can thrive years to follow. 💡♻️

📸Pictured: (L) Ray Collins, Manager, Government Relations, Eversource & Board Member, Chamber of Commerce of Eastern CT; (R) Tony Sheridan, President & CEO, Chamber of Commerce of Eastern CT

Thank you to the City of New London and Dr. Susan Purrington from Connecticut College for this week's informative AI workshop! 💻

Attendees learned more about the innerworkings of large language models and some practical applications for daily AI usage, including software, systemic guidelines, and action plans to take the next step in their workplace implementation. ⌨📈

Dr. Purrington is an AI Ethics & Integration Consultant and former Associate Teaching Professor at Northern Arizona University, Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist, member of the AI Communities of Practice, and Chair of the American Therapeutic Recreation Association AI Task Force. Her work across the country helps entrepreneurs, educators, and business professionals alike. 🙌

We were very grateful to have a room full of creators and thinkers in our large conference room and look forward to the next workshop. 💡

Interested in collaborating? Email [email protected]. 📩

We could not be prouder of this group! Our program is continuing to grow strong, thanks to the support of partners like seCTer, Liberty Bank, Waterford Hotel Group, Simon Konover Company, and the Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut - and of course those with the passion and dedication to serve eastern CT! Thank you to all of this year's participants; we look forward to watching you flourish.

Interested in learning more about Entrepreneur Academy or joining the 2026 cohort? Visit the link below:
https://chamberect.com/entrepreneur-academy/

🤖 Master the Future of Work!

Join us for an interactive AI workshop for small businesses, where you’ll discover practical tools to streamline your operations, marketing, and customer engagement. 🚀

💲 FREE, Open to Public (Registration Required)
📅 Mon, 10/27 @ 10-11 A.M.
❗ Limited spots left! Signup at info.chamberect.com/events.

This event is presented in partnership with the City of New London, CT.

📣Next Week 🗓

Explore funding opportunities and connect with key financial allies! 💰

💲Join us for FREE at the Business Funding & Resource Expo to learn about non-traditional and low-barrier investment options, plus network to propel your business forward. 🚀

Sign up 👉 info.ChamberECT.com/events.

🎬Big reveal! This month, we launched a special project spotlighting the journeys of past Entrepreneur Academy graduates. 💼✨

🎤 These inspiring business owners opened up about how the program shaped their paths and why YOU should consider joining next.

🚀 Real stories. Real growth. Real impact.

🎥 Watch now: https://youtu.be/xG21SjaCOWY?si=m9V0hUIGBs-25cIp

Why Join Entrepreneur Academy? Participants Share Their Journey Thinking about starting a business in Connecticut? Hear from past participants of the Entrepreneur Academy, a free 8-week program designed to support early-s...

This June, Ask an Expert! 💡

🍎 While school may be out of session, professional development never is! 📝

Level up this summer by expanding your skillsets and taking advantage of our FREE, expert advice. 🌤 Beat the heat and come to the Innovation Center for a coffee and feedback on your HR, marketing, business service, and IT needs. ☕💼

📲Reserve your timeslot at info.ChamberECT.com/events.

🚨 Calling all small business owners! 🚨
Applications are now open for the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Fall 2025 Cohort at CCRI!

This FREE 12-week program, designed by Babson College, helps entrepreneurs like you grow revenue, create jobs, and build a 5-year growth plan—with support from expert faculty and a nationwide network of 16,000+ business leaders.

✅ No cost to attend
✅ In-person, one day/week at CCRI
✅ Deadline to apply: June 10

👉 A perfect next step for Chamber Entrepreneur Academy grads who have been in business for a few years and are ready to take things to the next level!

Apply now at https://10ksbapply.com/ — make sure to choose Rhode Island as your site!

Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses is an investment in the growth of small businesses. We help entrepreneurs create jobs and economic opportunity by providing access to education, capital and support services.

📩 Expert Advice From: Maria Miranda 🎤

Take it firsthand from Creative Director of the renowned regional marketing agency Miranda Creative, Inc. what it takes to succeed in today’s thriving business climate.

Marketing trends are changing by the day. Not sure what's trending on TikTok or how to use Meta to make sales? 💰📱Meet with an expert of Miranda Creative to learn how to harness the power of your channels, maximize your content, and grow your platforms. ▶️ 📈

🚪The door of opportunity is waiting for you at next Friday’s office hours session.

⏱️ Multiple timeslots are open! Secure yours on the Chamber site. 🔗

Ask an Expert - Marketing Strategies with Miranda Creative Book a Free 30-Minute Consultation Today!  Join us for the Ask an Expert - Marketing Strategies and connect with Miranda Creative, a renowned agency with nearly 40 years of experience in brand management and marketing. Miranda Creative has supported clients across all messaging platforms, deli...

🗓️ This April: Ask an Expert! 🙋‍♀️

Spring cleaning time is here. ⏰ 🧹 Freshen up on your business skills by meeting one on one with our dedicated group of industry pros! 💼✨

From technology solutions to wealth and finance plans, human resource and hiring strategies, project funding and development guidance, to creative and digital asset brainstorms, our array of experts are here to help. ✅

📲 Book your 🆓 session today for a successful tomorrow: 🔗 info.chamberect.com/events.