Workshop for Downtown Merchants and Small Business Owners
TORRINGTON – The Torrington Office of Economic Development is pleased to offer a free workshop entitled “Sharpen Your Competitive Edge” to downtown retail businesses. The two-hour workshop will take place on Monday, October 24, 2005 at 9:00 AM at the City Hall Auditorium. Dave Helmin, Business Development Specialist for the Connecticut Main Street Center, will present the seminar.
The workshop will begin with welcoming remarks from Mayor Owen Quinn, who will then introduce Dave Helmin. Mr. Helmin’s two-hour presentation will provide an overview of the new realities of small business by identifying the forces of change that affect business success, the importance of research, and the simple methods used. Participants will learn how to increase profits by understanding and managing their customer contact areas.
The City of Torrington recently joined the Connecticut Main Street Center (CMSC) Downtown Resource Center, a program for organizations working to revitalize downtown commercial districts. As a CMSC Downtown Resource Center member, Torrington has access to the many resources and tools available through both the CMSC and the National Main Street Center. CMSC is the state’s leading resource for cities and towns seeking to comprehensively revitalize their downtown districts.
Dave Helmin joined Connecticut Main Street Center in April 2005 as its Business Development Specialist. He works closely with designated Main Street communities, and Downtown Resource Center members, such as Torrington.
Mr. Helmin has twenty-six years in the hospitality industry including six years as owner/ operator of two Connecticut restaurants. He spent nine years with the Morse School of Business Hotel and Restaurant Management Program as instructor, Department Chair, and Director of Education. He was instrumental in the design and development of the curriculum for the Center for Culinary Arts located in Cromwell. Mr. Helmin has also held various positions with McDonald’s Corporation, Brigham’s Ice Cream, Chi Chi’s Mexican Restaurants, 36 Lewis Street, Shenanigans, Hot Tomatoes, Hot Tamales, The Gathering Place, and Max Downtown.
For more information about the workshop, please contact the Office of Economic Development at 860-496-5920.
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