Reference checking plays a key role in knowledgeable hiring. Applicants provide potential employers with a great deal of information on their background, experience, education and skills. Statistics show that between 25 to 30% of the data provided by applicants is misleading, exaggerated or completely false. But how, as the potential employer, do you ensure the accuracy of this information? Learn more at the next Human Resources Council meeting on Wed. April 16th at the chamber from noon-1:30pm with guest, Karen Smith, Esq. SPHR and Michelle Gneda of the Employers Association of the North East. Cost to attend is $20 for members and includes a light lunch. Register to attend online by clicking here or call Heidi at x235 for more information.
 

The Chamber presently has two positions available. We are looking for a Program Manager and a Sales & Member Services Manager. Detailed job descriptions are available on our website. Do you have a open position at your business? If so don't hesitate, go post it on our FREE online job posting service!
 

The next Business After Hours will be on Thursday, April 24 at the Monument Grill, downtown Leominster where the super raffle winners will be announced. 1st prize is $10,000, 2nd is $2,000, 3rd, 4th and 5th prizes are $500 each and tickets are $100. Cost to attend the after hours is $10 for members, $20 for non. Click Here to register online. To purchase a raffle ticket email Heidi at getek@massweb.org, or call x235.
 

In an attempt to help our Members decrease their energy costs, NCMCC has partnered with Northeast Energy Partners (NEP) to join their 1,000 member buying group. As a participant of the NCMCC/NEP Electric Aggregation, NEP will watch the market daily and place you with a Supplier automatically as soon as they can achieve the target price of 10.5 cents per kWh (deadline to achieve this target price is July 30, 2008). For more information visit click here. The deadline to enroll in the 2008 Energy Aggregation is Friday, May 16, 2008.
 

SB2 – Supporting Small and Home-Based Businesses will be meeting for its 4th FREE, casual dress event on Wednesday, May 7th, from 6-8pm, at the Best Western Royal Plaza Hotel. Katherine Jasmine from Marketing First will present on "Creating your Business Image with Logos, Taglines and Business name." The Chamber is pleased to provide this additional programming to assist chamber and non-chamber members alike, by joining together with local business leaders to put together a series of support and education programs for Home-Based and Small Businesses.
 

On Wednesday, May 14th, 6 area chambers including the Greater Gardner, Middlesex West, Nashoba Valley, North Central Massachusetts, North Quabbin and Wachusett Chambers of Commerce will come together for the Rte 2 Business Expo. This unique event offers the opportunity to market your business to hundreds of businesses and consumers throughout the area. Click Here for more information. For infomation on exhibiting, please contact Heidi at x235.
 

On Saturday April 26th at 12:00 PM (Noon), FW Screen Print Specialties will be holding a Grand Opening Ribbon Cutting Celebration! Join Lisa and Nacy at their facilities located at the Gateway Building, 435 Lancaster Street in Leominster and help this local business kick things off!