Greater Waterbury Manufacturing & Technology Expo Is November 15

WATERBURY — The Manufacturing Council of the Waterbury Regional Chamber, chaired by Rich Dupont of Resource Development Associates, will host its second annual STEM/Advanced Manufacturing & Technology Expo on Thursday, November 15, to promote job opportunities in these industries to Waterbury area high school and college students, Connecticut’s future workforce.

The Expo will include two timely seminars for manufacturers, and will be held at the CoCo Key Water Resort, Hotel & Convention Center at 3580 East Main Street from 8:30 am to 5 pm.

“This second annual Expo,” explained Lynn Ward, president and CEO of the Waterbury Regional Chamber, “will feature distinctive and rewarding exhibition opportunities, as well as two afternoon workshops designed for manufacturers to attend. With support from the Waterbury Board of Education and Granville Academy here in Waterbury, more than 750 middle and high school students will visit the Expo to learn about job and career opportunities from local area leaders in the manufacturing and technology arenas. Participating firms will be able to speak directly with students while promoting the manufacturing and technology industries by informing other area businesses about their products or services.”

During that time, students will learn about the multitude of opportunities available to them in the future of the manufacturing and technology industries through interactive games and presentations presented by Expo exhibitors.

“The overriding ambition of this Expo,” explained Richard Dupont of Resource Development Associates, LLC, and Waterbury Regional Chamber’s Manufacturing Council chairman, “is to help overcome the misnomer that manufacturing is not a thriving industry at this time. In actuality, manufacturing is a major contributor to Connecticut’s workforce and for every manufacturing job, 3.5 service sector jobs are also created. We inaugurated this Expo in 2011, and the response was exceptional from exhibitors, area technical schools and the students.”

At 3 pm, after the students have exited the Expo, Gary B. O’Connor, Esq, partner with the law firm of Pullman & Comley, LLC, will present, “A Manufacturers Guide to Environmental Compliance and Planning”. Attorney O’Connor will outline basic regulatory requirements and best management practices.

“This workshop will serve as a basic starting point for understanding the impact of environmental regulation on small businesses and manufacturers,” he said. “The presentation will identify pitfalls manufacturers should avoid in order to stay outside the scope of certain onerous environmental laws. It will also identify creative approaches to hazardous waste management that can save time and money and preserve assets in the event of a sale or transfer of a business.”

At 4 pm, Anthony Bianco, senior account executive of C&I Comverge New England, will provide a workshop for Expo exhibitors. Through his program, “The Demand Response Program/Past, Present and Future”, Mr Bianco will provide detailed insights into how this program has evolved with ISO New England and how manufacturers can benefit from participation.

Open to the general public, admission into the Expo is free. The event will conclude with the chamber’s monthly Out for Business networking reception from 5 to 7 pm.

This presents opportunity for manufacturers to connect with one another, meet new contacts, stay up-to-date on the industry’s growth, as well as network with other chamber members in many different industries. To learn more about the Expo, including registration information, visit www.waterburychamber.com or call Courtney Ligi or John DiCarlo at 203-757-0701.