Northern RI Chamber of Commerce offers opportunities for businesses to connect

Lincoln, Rhode Island: The Northern Rhode Island (NRI) Chamber of Commerce has several events for members and the public to attend in March to connect with businesses in the region.

This month’s Networking at Night is scheduled for March 10 from 5 to 7 p.m. at The Burrito Company, 104 Cass Ave., Woonsocket. People can grow their business by obtaining referrals and making contacts while enjoying delicious appetizers at the restaurant voted “Best Mexican” by “Rhode Island Monthly” readers for three years.

The cost is $10 for Chamber members that preregister; $15 for members that register at the door; and $30 for nonmembers. To register, visitwww.NRIChamber.com or call 401.334.1000.

University of Rhode Island President David Dooley will be the featured speaker at the NRI Chamber’s Eggs and Issues Breakfast slated for March 20 from 7:45 to 9:30 a.m. at the Kirkbrae Country Club, 197 Old River Road, Lincoln. President Dooley will discuss cutting-edge economic initiatives his university is developing; the newly-formed URI Business Engagement Center; the university’s Small Business Development Center; and the Rhode Island Manufacturing Extension Partnership now located at URI. Also, he will address plans for a nursing school in downtown Providence and the engineering bond issue that will be on the November ballot. A full breakfast will be served. The cost is $20 for Chamber members that preregister; $30 for members on the day of the event; and $40 for nonmembers. To register, visit www.NRIChamber.com or call 401.334.1000.

Rhodes-On-The-Pawtuxet, 60 Rhodes Place, Cranston, will be the site for a Statewide Business-After-Hours scheduled for March 25 from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. The event will be an excellent opportunity to network with an anticipated 1,000 members of Chambers from across the Ocean State.  Companies can display their products and information about their services at round tables for $175, which also covers the cost for two people to attend. Chamber members will be charged $15.  Attendees will make contacts, obtain referrals and learn how their peers are dealing with challenging business issues. Russell Morin Fine Catering will be serving mouthwatering hors d’oeuvres, and there will be a cash bar. To register, visit www.NRIChamber.com or call 401.334.1000.

The NRI Chamber of Commerce will be hosting Dr. Kathleen Hittner, the state’s health insurance commissioner, on March 25, starting at 8 a.m. in its offices at 6 Blackstone Valley Place, Suite 402, Lincoln. Owners of small businesses are encouraged to attend the breakfast meeting during which the commissioner will address how her office interacts with insurance companies to set rates; and how business people can participate in the rate review and other processes. Also, attendees can tell Dr. Hittner what they want to see in insurance products and how rates impact their operating costs. The event is being held in conjunction with the Health Insurance Small Employer Task Force. To register, visit www.NRIChamber.com or call 401.334.1000.

Other upcoming events include Leadership Skills for Lead People I on March 19 and Leadership Skills for Lead People II on March 26. Both sessions will be from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Chamber’s offices.  For more information and to register, visit www.NRIChamber.com or call 401.334.1000.

About the Northern Rhode Island Chamber:

The Northern Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce represents the interests of businesses in the communities of Burrillville, Central Falls, Cumberland, Glocester, Lincoln, North Smithfield, Pawtucket, Smithfield and Woonsocket. The NRI Chamber leads the Chamber of Commerce Coalition, representing 10 area chambers of commerce and more than 6,500 businesses and 70,000 employees statewide.  For more information about the Northern Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce, call (401)-334-1000 or visit www.nrichamber.com.