Westport Chamber Board Member Receives Two Prestigious National Awards

Cara Mocarski, a long-time board member of the Westport/Weston Chamber, has been recognized for attaining President's Sales Leadership Club for her regional work with Welcome Wagon. In addition, she was named the 2025 Local Business Person of the Year in Westport by Alignable, a national business networking platform.

She was the only employee in Connecticut to achieve this prestigious achievement from Welcome Wagon, a nationally recognized new mover marketing company based in Coral Springs, Florida. Only three Welcome Wagon outside sales representatives qualified for this top honor, which was based on exceptional sales performance. Mocarski placed third in the country and had one of her best years in sales. For the past 14 years, she has placed in the top 10 rankings in the United States. Only the top three qualify for the President's Sales Leadership Club.

Mocarski currently serves as a Community Marketing Executive. Her company also recognized her as a Premier Ambassador for her community involvement and a Mentor to her peers. Three years ago she was promoted to National Sales Trainer.

In addition, she was voted the Local Business Person of the Year in Westport by her colleagues. The 2025 contest was organized by Alignable and honored 4,750 local business professionals across the U.S. who have gone above and beyond to help their peers and their communities.

"Out of more than 9 million users of the Alignable business networking platform, I was truly honored to be voted Local Business Person of the Year in Westport, where I grew up and currently work," said Mocarski. "My job is all about making local connections and building communities, not only through marketing campaigns helping businesses and new movers connect but through my involvement in numerous volunteer efforts."

For the past eight years, she has served as a member of the Board of Directors of the Westport/Weston Chamber of Commerce. Mocarski grew up in Westport and Easton and has resided in Shelton for over 39 years. She also has been a member and board member of the Westport BNI (Business Network International) Group for over a decade. In 2017, she was honored as the Chapter Member of the Year. Most recently, she served as immediate past President of this 52-member networking group, one of the largest and most successful groups of its kind in Southern Connecticut. Previously, she held a variety of leadership positions, including Secretary/Treasurer, Visitor Host, Mentor Coordinator, and Publicity Chair.

Mocarski has always believed in the value of Welcome Wagon for both new residents and businesses. “When I built my family’s dream house in Shelton, I distinctly remember the Welcome Wagon hostess who visited our new home,” she said. “She made me feel connected to our local community. I absolutely loved the service and used many of the welcome offers from local businesses. "

“Because of my positive personal experience with Welcome Wagon, I jumped at the opportunity to work for this highly regarded company. Not many companies can say they are currently celebrating over 97 years in business! "

“Now, more than ever, especially with America on the move everywhere, I feel our Welcoming Service is more relevant than ever because we can help people on their entire move journey. For over nine decades, we have targeted new homeowners with our direct mail and digital platforms. Several years ago, we expanded our reach and rolled out a new marketing campaign to renters - a booming, often overlooked and untapped market. We also have the ability to reach pre-movers - homeowners who have just listed their home."

Since 1928, Welcome Wagon has been helping Americans learn about the local businesses and service providers in their communities. In the past, hostesses used to deliver baskets of gifts supplied by local businesses to new homeowners. Over a cup of coffee, hostesses would tell the new mover all about their community while handing out gifts and coupons from local businesses.

Welcome Wagon’s personalized greetings and community information have touched the lives of over 100 million households, including American Presidents as they moved into the White House.
The home visits stopped in 1998 as an increase in two-income families meant fewer people were home to accept visitors. Welcome Wagon began greeting new homeowners through the mail with a gift of an attractive, customized Gift Book.

Although the days of door-to-door neighborly visits are a thing of the past, Welcome Wagon is still committed to connecting with new movers through their mailboxes and online.

Today, Welcome Wagon has found the best combination with print and digital offerings which include email marketing to local homeowners and renters, plus the addition of social media. As an added benefit, businesses partnering with Welcome Wagon are exclusive in their business category.
Recently, Welcome Wagon doubled its distribution of the new mover Gift Book to 3.6 million households a year and expanded into 48 states and across 4,500 markets. To learn more about Welcome Wagon marketing in your local community, contact Cara Mocarski at 203-331-2779 or cara.mocarski@welcomewagon.com.

In addition, Welcome Wagon is hiring nationally and is seeking outside sales professionals for remote work. Please contact Mocarski about full- and part-time remote-based job openings throughout the country.