Welcome to CONNECTIONS

CONNECTIONS is the new outreach program of The Westchester County Association (WCA) created for professionals and entrepreneurs like you who represent the fastest-growing sector of Westchester's economy.

The WCA is Westchester's premier business membership organization committed to business advocacy and economic vitality and CONNECTIONS is designed to make the WCA more relevant to you and your business success.

• CONNECTIONS will connect you to valuable programs and services such as Gevity offering comprehensive in-sourced employee management solutions and WestchesterCountyJobs.com for discounts on job postings.
• CONNECTIONS will connect you with decision makers in the corporate, governmental and not-for-profit sectors.
• CONNECTIONS will connect you to local, regional and international markets.
• CONNECTIONS will connect with you with the best ways to spotlight you and your business, providing visibility and recognition.
• CONNECTIONS will connect you to business prospects and customers.

CONNECTIONS Advisory Committee 2006 Highlights

 Monthly meetings with CONNECTIONS Advisory Board
 Assist with establishing programs/events for our professional & entrepreneurial members (accounts for 60+% of our membership)
 Committee assists with attracting new members for the CONNECTIONS membership category
 Hosted 2nd Annual Open House, 7/2006, 200+ attendees
 Hosted 4 successful Lunch & Learn Programs:
 Leading High Performance Sales Teams
 Selling for the Non-Sales Professional
 How to Achieve the Impossible Dream
 Customer Excellence
 Launched 2 new program series – CONNECTIONS to Capital & CONNECTIONS/Gevity Breakfast Seminars
 Distributed 3 e-CONNECTIONS newsletter – approx. 2000 email addresses with 40+% open rate
 Created & distributed 2nd Membership Survey to Open House attendees - defining program strategy and other services
 Dedicated June issue of PULSE to the Changing Landscape in Westchester Business – focus on small to mid-size businesses
 Launched new format for “double truck” in the Westchester County Business Journal- focuses on benefits of membership

 

Benefits Tailored to Professionals and Entrepreneurs

The WCA has spent two years identifying programs and services that will help professionals and entrepreneurs grow their businesses. Here's a sampling:

E-Newsletter

Stay on top of developments and upcoming events at The WCA via the e-newsletter. It will also offer you the opportunity to showcase your capabilities to other members through news articles and guest columns promoting your area of expertise.

Lunch and Learn Series

Meet your peers and gain practical insights at our luncheon programs held at convenient meeting destinations. Lunch and Learn topics will focus on issues that benefit you and your business.

Tap Into WCA's Exclusive Events

As a member, you receive special privileges and discounts when you attend the WCA's notable events that attract Westchester's leading business people and other influential businesses ­ making them the very best networking opportunities for professionals and entrepreneurs:

Spring and Fall Leadership Dinner Meetings

The premier business events of the year, the WCA's Spring and Fall Leadership Dinner Meetings attract 500+ members. Hear and meet top business executives — past speakers have included David Neeleman, Jet Blue Airways Chairman and CEO; Jack Welch, former Chairman of GE; Vernon W. Hill, II, Founder, Chairman and President, Commerce Bank and Stanley E. Freimuth, Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer, Fuji Photo Film U.S.A., Inc.

• Political Forums
• Meet and discuss relevant issues with political leaders at:
• Annual Breakfast with Westchester County Executive
• New York State Legislators Breakfast
• Westchester County Legislators Breakfast
• Report from Washington Luncheon
• Political Fridays and other Governmental Meetings
• Political Candidate Debates
• Much more!

 

Distinguished Speaker Series

Hear some of the most dynamic business and political leaders address today's critical issues at the Distinguished Speaker Series. Past speakers have included President Bill Clinton, General Colin Powell, Governor George Pataki, Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, Senator Charles Schumer, Attorney General Eliot Spitzer, Comptroller Alan Hevesi, trial lawyer David Boies and other notables.

Alliances & Affiliations

Leverage the alliances and affiliations the WCA has forged with these niche business groups and organizations:

• Westchester County Government
• Office of Economic Development
• U.S. Department of Commerce Export Assistance Center
• New York Empire State Development Corporation
• Westchester Business Accelerator
• Westchester Municipal Officials Association
• Women's Enterprise Development Center
• Westchester Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

The World Trade Council of Westchester

The prestigious international trade forum of the WCA designed to give you an entree into international markets.

Here's How to Join

It's easy to join CONNECTIONS and to make the most out of your connection as a member of the Westchester County Association. Join today. It will be the most beneficial step you take for your business.