100 West Campus Drive, Orange
Gov. Ned Lamont to Deliver Keynote Address
Orange, Connecticut, June 19, 2025— The Amity Chamber of Commerce is holding its inaugural “Amity Chamber Business Symposium and Expo” on July 30th, at Yale West Campus, 100 West Campus Drive, Orange, from 3:30 pm- 7:00 pm. The Honorable Ned Lamont, Governor of the State of Connecticut, will deliver the keynote address.
Amity Chamber of Commerce CEO, Barry Lee Cohen, said, “On behalf of the Board of Directors, we are deeply honored and excited that Gov. Lamont has graciously accepted our invitation to kick off what is planned to be an annual event. The Amity Chamber Business Symposium and Expo will prove to be pivotal in the Chamber’s mission to offer differentiated value to our members, while promoting and fostering economic growth to the communities we serve.”
Both the symposium and the expo are free and open to the public. Amity Chamber Corporate Partners, including The Milford Bank and Avangrid (platinum level), and Coastal Bridge Advisors (gold level), are sponsoring the event.
The public is encouraged to register for the event and bring colleagues, customers, friends, and family. The diversity and depth of the program will delight, inform, and engage attendees. Best-in-class presentations, combined with financial and small business resources, will equip participants with the knowledge and tools to enhance their business and increase their bottom line. An eclectic expo floor offers an outrageously outstanding mix of well-established and leading corporations, to iconic and rising star brands. From PEZ Candy, Jimmy John’s, 700 Degrees Pizzeria, and Duck Donuts, to Crest Lincoln of Woodbridge, Coldwell Banker Realty, Regional Water Authority, and many more, an abundance of meaningful business knowledge, fun, and collaboration is FREE and will not disappoint!
Directly after Gov. Lamont’s keynote, the business symposium will feature:
- The Honorable Sean Scanlon, State of Connecticut Comptroller: Connecticut’s Economic Outlook (July/August)
Comptroller Scanlon will provide a financial overview of Connecticut’s Economy. The overview will include information on Connecticut’s labor market, housing market, projections of the General Fund, Special Transportation Fund, and Budget Reserve Fund.
The MyCTSavings program will also be highlighted. The program was created to serve the more than 600,000 Connecticut private-sector workers who do not have a retirement savings plan offered through their employer. It’s easy, free, and comes at no cost to employers or employees.
Diana Pagano: “Business Empowerment: Purpose-Driven Culture, Results-Driven Teams”
In today’s fast-paced business world, it’s not just about what you do—it’s about how you show up. In this powerful and practical session, keynote speaker and mindset coach Diana Pagano will challenge you to rethink the way you work, lead, and serve.
From increasing peak performance to cultivating a culture rooted in purpose and possibility, attendees will learn how to lead with clarity, define cultural standards, and create an environment where both clients and teams thrive. Whether you’re a business owner, team leader, or entrepreneur, this session will reignite your purpose and give you the tools to lead with power and possibility.
Kathy Boyle, President of Chapin Hill Advisors: “How to Meet 1,000 People at Lunch: Maximize Your Network for Success”
Featured on Bloomberg, Fox Business, CNBC, and other media outlets,
Kathy has built her entire business through networking. She will speak about the subject and provide strategies, tips, and techniques on how anyone can build a fabulous network and translate those connections to more sales.
A panel discussion moderated by Jorge Santiago, President and CEO of The Milford Bank, will also be conducted.Further information on the panel discussion and each featured presentation will be further detailed in the weeks leading up to the event.
The Expo portion commences at 5:30 p.m. and will include over 20 businesses and organizations that span automotive, public utilities, food and beverage, home improvement, finance, and manufacturing. The Expo has been purposely designed for networking with colleagues and friends, one-on-one discussions, or bringing the family to explore leading businesses throughout the Amity region. Exhibitors include:
700 Degrees Pizzeria
Arrowhead Leadership Consulting
Avangrid
Baybrook Remodelers
Coastal Bridge Advisors
Coldwell Banker
Connecticut Small Business Development Center
Courtyard by Marriott
Crest Lincoln of Woodbridge
CT Department of Economic & Community Development
Duck Donuts
Halcyon Travel
Homewood Suites
Jimmy John’s
Midnight Creations
Orange Ale House
Orange Fence
PEZ Candy
Regional Water Authority
The Milford Bank
U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) – CT District Office
Partial Listing: Subject to Change
Free and Open to the Public. Register Today!
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) – CT District Office, the CT Department of Economic & Community Development, and the Connecticut Small Business Development Center, will be stationed throughout the Expo floor for attendees to learn about FREE and low-cost resources available to assist with business plans, accessing capital and other great opportunities available to entrepreneurs and small businesses.
Cohen said, “The Amity Chamber sincerely appreciates the generosity of Avangrid, The Milford Bank, and Coastal Bridge Advisors, without whose financial backing, this program would not be possible. All of our Corporate Partners, which also include Yale West Campus, Roebic Laboratories, Coldwell Bank Realty, M&T Bank, and the Eagle Leasing Company, provide substantial operational and financial resources that are essential, offer exceptional expertise, and tangibly demonstrate their shared commitment to nurturing business throughout the region.”
To register for the Amity Symposium and Expo and view a complete list of exhibitors, please click the button below. Although registration is not required, advanced registrations allow the presenters and panelists to best engage the attendees, and for Expo exhibitors to ensure they are resourced with adequate supplies, samples, or giveaways.
FREE and Open to the public.