Processing Your Payment

Please do not leave this page until complete. This can take a few moments.

November 9, 2021

Chamber’s ‘Big Connect’ to focus on evolving business in era of change

PHOTO | CONTRIBUTED Actor Michael Jai White, founder of Jaigantic Studios.
By Liese Klein

Evolving and growing a business in a time of change is the theme of the Big Connect, the annual expo of the Greater New Haven Chamber of Commerce, scheduled for Nov. 17-18. 

The expo itself has evolved this year to include both an in-person and virtual component, with an online session planned Nov. 17 from  11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., and an in-person event planned for Nov. 18 from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Omni New Haven Hotel at Yale at 155 Temple St.

The in-person Big Connect event at the Omni marks the return of the ever-popular Big Taste, featuring samples from local restaurants and caterers. 

Register at gnhcc.com under Events; registration for booths is also still available, according to a news release from the Chamber.

“Finding Your Groove in a New E.R.A.: Emerge, Reboot, Adapt,” is this year’s Big Connect theme.

Chamber President and CEO Garrett Sheehan said, “This expo will build businesses’ online footprint and increase brand exposure from any geographic location, and at any time, with our new hybrid model. Attendees will be given the opportunity to network with a wide array of business leaders, hear from experts and sample Greater New Haven’s best restaurants.” 

Actor Michael Jai White, founder of Jaigantic Studios, is scheduled to give the keynote speech at 9:15 a.m. on Nov. 18 at the Omni on the topic “Finding Your Groove in a New ERA.” White’s company has proposed a sprawling movie-production complex on River Street in New Haven.

White’s presentation at the Big Connect will include a “virtual production interactive presentation” created by Jaigantic Universe.

“Making the transition from good to great often happens in times of uncertainty or unforeseen change,” White said. “That's when strength and resilience meet preparation to expose new opportunities for success.”

Other presentations include the Nonprofit Stars Align Awards Breakfast, Grow with Google on the topics of “Get Your Local Business on Google Search & Maps” and “Make Your Website Work,” and David A. O’Brien, president of WorkChoice Solutions, on “Leading in the New Era: A Guide for Increasing Leadership & Organizational Clarity.” 

Other topics include “Women’s Power Panel: Avoiding the Impostor Syndrome,” “The ABC’s of Cannabusiness” and “Entrepreneurship.”

New Haven Biz is a sponsor of the Big Connect this year, along with Connecticare, UI Energy Efficiency, Mutual of America, KeyBank, Pfizer, Berkshire Bank, Jaigantic Studios, WTNH News 8, CT Public/NPR, Connoisseur Media, Audacy, New Haven Register, Hearst Media,, Record-Journal, Inner City News, Access Audio-Visual Systems, Corporate Display Specialties/i95 Signs and Graphics, District New Haven, Runningboards, IKEA and Outfront Media. 

Contact Liese Klein at lklein@newhavenbiz.com.

Sign up for Enews

Most Recent

Most Recent

0 Comments

Order a PDF