All Entries in the "Chambers of Commerce" Category

Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island and the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce Invite Businesses to Apply for 22nd Annual Worksite Health Awards

PROVIDENCE, RI – Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island (BCBSRI) announced that the call for applications for the 22nd Annual Worksite Health Awards,which recognize Rhode Island companies with successful workplace wellness programs, is open now through Friday, March 4.

BCBSRI’s Wellness Works™ program is a proud Presenting Sponsor of these awards, in partnership with the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce (GPCC). All Rhode Island companies are eligible, including small (100 or fewer employees) and large (over 100 employees) businesses, and applicants must demonstrate exceptional health and wellness programs and health-oriented workplace policies. Winning companies will be honored at a ceremony on June 2 and profiled in a special section of Rhode Island Monthly magazine.

“A healthier workforce leads to lower costs and higher productivity,” said Melissa Cummings, Senior Vice President and Chief Customer Officer, BCBSRI. “Working closely with Rhode Island businesses, the Chamber and Blue Cross see the innovation, dedication, and health outcomes our local businesses are achieving by focusing on wellness. For over 20 years, the Worksite Health Awards has recognized and celebrated the positive impact these organizations are having on the health of their employees and our Rhode Island economy.”

“A company’s workforce is its most valuable resource. Inspiring and helping them to adopt a healthy lifestyle has a positive impact on morale, retention, and your bottom line. If your company successfully promotes worksite wellness—improving the health of your employees and your business—we want to recognize you for it,” said Laurie White, president of the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce.

In 2015, more than 75 local companies received Worksite Health Awards. All Rhode Island businesses are eligible to apply for Worksite Health Awards, which are awarded annually. Winners are selected based on the scale and impact of their health and wellness programs and health-oriented workplace policies after submitting proof of those programs.

Interested businesses can find more detail and apply online at BCBSRI.com/WorksiteHealth.

About Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island
Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island is the state’s leading health insurer and covers more than 450,000 members. The company is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. For more information, visit www.bcbsri.com, follow us on Twitter @BCBSRI, and like us on Facebook at fb.com/bcbsri.

About the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce
The mission of the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce is to foster the development of a positive and productive business climate for our community through economic development, business-to-business relationship building and effective public policies and government. For more information visitwww.providencechamber.com or follow us on Twitter @provchamber.

North Kingstown Chamber of Commerce, AvPORTS, and Rhode Island Airport Corporation Hosts Joint “Taste of the NK Chamber”

NORTH KINGSTOWN, RI  – North Kingstown Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce their partnership with AvPORTs and the Rhode Island Airport Corporation to host the annual Taste of NK Chamber event at the Quonset State Airport in North Kingstown. From land to air to sea, let your taste buds soar by sampling cuisine from NK Chamber member restaurants in the hangar.

As an added attraction, we are excited to announce TEN31 Productions will be providing their strolling statue performers and DJs from MIXX 99.3 will be providing music. TEN31 Productions have performed at numerous events and museums around the world, including being hired by the White House to perform at an event at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC held for the Heads of State and the President of the United States (visit www.wemakepretend.com).

“On behalf of the NK Chamber Board of Directors, we are excited to provide a top-shelf tasting event that showcases Chamber member food businesses and the fabulous hangar at the Providence Jet Center. This is a wonderful event for the community to come out in full stride for an evening of great food and amazing entertainment.” Kristin Urbach, Executive Director of the North Kingstown Chamber of Commerce.

“We are pleased to partner with the host community for this exciting event at Quonset Airport”, said Peter Frazier, Interim President and CEO of the Rhode Island Airport Corporation (RIAC). “This is just another example of a positive and interesting way to work collaboratively with our airport communities as we continue to improve the infrastructure and attract business development at these airports”, said Frazier.

This year’s Taste of NK Chamber is a premier occasion that will bring together hundreds of attendees to sip, swirl, and savor the best that our local chefs and restaurants have to offer. This kickoff event for restaurant week is from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Additional information about this event and sponsorship opportunities may be obtained by contacting Kristin Urbach at kurbach@northkingstown.com. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door.

The North Kingstown Chamber of Commerce is a membership based non-profit organization that supports businesses to ensure they are equipped with the tools, networking and promotional opportunities that are necessary to be successful.

To purchase a ticket for the NKCC Taste of the Chamber Event, please call 401.295.5566 or visit www.northkingstown.com/tasteofnk. Please note that the rain date is for May 15, 2016. Visit our web site at northkingstown.com, follow us on Twitter @NKChamberRI, or visit our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/nkchamberri.

Partridge Snow & Hahn Executive Joins Washington Trust Wealth Management

WESTERLY, RI – Washington Trust Wealth Management (NASDAQ OMX®: WASH) today announced that Kathleen A. Ryan, Esq. has been named senior vice president, Wealth Management Client Services, Trust and Estate Services. She will join Washington Trust Wealth Management in December from the law firm Partridge Snow & Hahn LLP where she was partner and chair of the Trusts and Estates group.

Ryan joins Washington Trust Wealth Management’s 100+ team of trust officers, portfolio managers, tax advisors, wealth planning officers, and financial planning professionals who serve clients throughout the country from offices in Rhode Island, Massachusetts and Connecticut. In her new leadership role, Ryan will oversee Washington Trust Wealth Management’s Trust & Estate Services group, providing expertise and guidance on fiduciary services, including wealth transfer planning and related tax issues, charitable giving, and business succession planning.

“Kathi comes to Washington Trust with more than 25 years of experience as a strategic and focused attorney,” said Mark K. W. Gim, senior executive vice president, wealth management & treasurer for Washington Trust. “Kathi’s dedication to excellent client service fits perfectly with Washington Trust’s corporate priorities. In addition, her responsibilities for practice management, work allocation, business development, and strategic planning and implementation are outstanding qualifications for her senior leadership role within Washington Trust Wealth Management.”

Prior to joining Washington Trust, Ryan was a partner at the law firm Partridge Snow & Hahn. She served as chair for the firm’s Trusts & Estates practice where she was responsible for advising clients on wealth preservation, asset transfer, charitable giving and estate and gift tax planning issues. During her time with Partridge Snow & Hahn, she also co-founded and led “Women AdVocates for Enterprise” (WAVE), an initiative dedicated to helping women advance professionally in the marketplace.

Ryan is a graduate of Suffolk University Law School (J.D., cum laude) and Providence College (B.A., cum laude). She is a member of the Estate Planning Council of Rhode Island and the Rhode Island, Massachusetts and Florida Bar Associations. Ryan is a frequent speaker and published source on matters of trust and estate and other relevant issues and sits on a number of boards including the Providence College President’s Council and the South County Hospital Professional Advisory Group.

ABOUT WASHINGTON TRUST WEALTH MANAGEMENT

Washington Trust Wealth Management is one of the premier wealth management firms in the Northeast, providing financial planning, asset management and trust and estate planning services to high-net-worth clients, endowments, foundations, retirement plan sponsors and other institutional investors for more than a century. Washington Trust Wealth Management has more than $5.7 billion in assets under administration. It provides services through its offices in Rhode Island (Providence, Westerly, and Narragansett) and through its registered investment advisers, Weston Financial Group, Inc. in Wellesley, Massachusetts and Halsey Associates, Inc. in New Haven, Connecticut. Washington Trust Wealth Management is a division of The Washington Trust Company, a subsidiary of Washington Trust Bancorp, Inc., (NASDAQ OMX®: WASH). Additional information can be found at www.washtrust.com/home/wealth.

Cash Mob Scheduled for November 19th

WOONSOCKET, RI – November 19th is the date for the next Cash Mob that will swarm a retail store and a restaurant after meeting in the Market Square Municipal Parking Lot in Woonsocket. (South Main Street across from River Falls Restaurant)

The Northern Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce and Blackstone Valley Independent Business Alliance are organizing the event and will identify the mystery stores at 6:15 p.m.  Cash mobs are large groups of consumers that agree to spend cash on items of their own choosing at designated venues. People do not have to register for the event and all are invited to participate.

“Participating in a cash mob is a great way to spend an evening, and our shoppers are pleasantly surprised at how a small amount of money can go a long way towards helping local merchants,” said John C. Gregory, president and chief executive officer of the Chamber.

“This is a great way to do our part to help stimulate the local economy.” Jeanne Budnick, President of the Alliance echoed these sentiments and added, “It’s a lot of fun too.”

Business owners that want to be a cash mob destination can contact the Chamber at (401) 334-1000 or Budnick at Pepin Lumber in Woonsocket at (401) 769-8128.