Economic Development Commission to Host Business Development Summit

Deputy Commissioner of Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development Tim Sullivan will be the keynote speaker at the first Economic Development Summit hosted by Enfield’s Economic Development Commission.

Sullivan, who oversees waterfront, brownfield and transit-oriented evelopment projects statewide, will speak at the Economic Development Summit to be held on Wednesday, Sept. 23 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Maneeley’s Banquet Hall in South Windsor. The summit also will feature several workshop panels with area business representatives.

Assistant Town Manager for Development Services Courtney Hendricson said, “it’s perfect to have Tim as our keynote speaker because of his leadership on these issues - all of which we face here in Enfield.”

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Hendricson said, “This is a huge event for the business community in Enfield and regionally. We want to bring professionals together to learn new information about their fields, connect with other industry professionals and catch up with colleagues.”

Hendricson added, “we’re excited to have an impressive lineup for our panels. We’re focusing on advanced manufacturing, healthcare and bio-medical, logistics and distribution along with the future of retail.”

Here are the panel sessions and the speakers:

Advanced Manufacturing Panel Session

• Frank Gulluni, Director, Manufacturing Technology, Asnuntuck Community College
• Mark Dilorenzo, President/Partner, Phoenix Manufacturing
• Robert Segal, Vice President, Chief Executive, Senior Aerospace, Sterling Manufacturing
• Steven Wilkins,General Manager, North East Region, Mazak Corporation

Healthcare & Bio-Medical Panel Session

• Kirti Patel, President and CEO, Board of Director, Eppendorf Manufacturing Corporation
• Terri Wilson, Co-Executive Director, BEACON
• Jayme Coates, General Manager, CIRTEC Medical Systems

Logistics & Distribution Panel Session

• Rich Lester, Director of Distribution, Brooks Brothers
• Steve Lapolla, General Manager, Advance Auto
• Jim Provost, Interim General Manager, Hallmark

Future of Retail Panel Session

• Tony Valenti, R. Calabrese Agency, LLC
• Denise L. Robidoux, General Manager, The Shoppes at Farmington Valley, WS Development
• Stephanie Cabral, JD, LLM,Colliers
• Barrie Deschaine, Manager of Business Development, KBE Building Corporation

Admission is $35 and includes the full-day sessions and panels, hot breakfast and salad bar lunch.

To register or join the event as a vendor or sponsor, or for more information, call 860-253-6385.