The Connecticut Business Hall Of Fame

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Connecticut Business Hall Of Fame -- Established in 2005, the Connecticut Business Hall Of Fame was created as a statewide organization to feature the accomplishments of companies and business leaders and to promote future business activities in the state.

In general, Connecticut has always been in constant competition with Massachusetts and New York. Both Boston and the New York City metro area have consistently attracted better economic development opportunities over the years than Connecticut state officials would have liked. In the past, Connecticut officials have fought to keep defense dollars in the state and have started to promote Connecticut's tourism industry to national audiences.

Over the years, Connecticut has also become the home of two of the world's largest casinos, the Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods. These facilities have grown into huge entertainment and resort complexes that pull resources from all over the state of Connecticut as well as contributing to the region. During 2006, the state slowly announced a couple of economic incentive programs in order to attract national business interest. Through the state legislature, an initiative was passed to provide film production companies with significant tax credits in order to stimulate economic growth. The state also stepped-up its involvement with grant and incentive tax breaks to establish several new business and residential development programs including one at the former United Technologies Corporation campus in East Hartford, CT.

With an ever changing state, the Connecticut Business Hall Of Fame was created to solidify Connecticut's past, present and future role in the global business community. Director of the Connecticut Business Hall Of Fame, Ron Dresner stated that he intends to build an awareness globally about how Connecticut has contributed to the success of so many businesses throughout the years and how talented business leaders flourished in Connecticut.

Already, the organization has gathered support throughout the state as it has created an extensive monthly business networking program that has featured speakers such as Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal, Connecticut Technology Council President Matthew Nemerson and Business New Haven Publisher Mitchell Young. Other featured speakers and panelists included business management consultants/authors Charles Miller and Claire Thaine, Goodwin College President Mark Scheinberg, Connecticut First Coalition Director Charles LeConche and Middlesex Chamber of Commerce President Larry McHugh.

During its first year, the organization has attracted over 10,000 regional business professionals to the various networking and industry-specific events that it has co-sponsored. From business technology updates for business owners, monthly networking events to sales seminars for managers, the Connecticut Business Hall Of Fame has already made an impact "connecting" companies throughout the state.

In March 2007, the organization held its first Annual Induction Award Ceremony in Hartford, CT. Named as the "Class of 2006" and inducted were Herb Barker, CEO, Barker Specialty Company, Cheshire, CT; John Farnham, executive director, Associated General Contractors of Connecticut, Wethersfield, CT; Barry Berman, president and S. Richard Kalt, executive vice-president, CRN International, Hamden, CT; and SUBWAY Restaurants, Milford, CT.

After a successful second year that included technology, "green"/environmental, entertainment and financial industry events, the Connecticut Business Hall Of Fame in March 2008 inducted the "Class of 2007". The inductees included two Connecticut business leaders and two Connecticut-based companies. These inductees are Better Bedding, East Hartford, CT; Splash Car Wash, Stamford, CT; Chris Campbell, CEO and creative director, Palace Production Center, South Norwalk, CT; and Paul Blanco, managing director, Barnum Financial Group, Shelton, CT. Several state officials welcomed the "Class of 2007" at the induction ceremonies including Connecticut Secretary of State Susan Bysiewicz, Connecticut Comptroller Nancy Wyman and Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal. As its role in healthcare is expanding throughout the state, Connecticut Children's Medical Center COO Wendy Warring addressed the group at the ceremonies about the leading role of quality heathcare for all Connecticut families and the business communities support.

The Connecticut Business Hall Of Fame kicked-off its third year with a scheduled statewide networking event in Hartford, CT in April 2008 with featured speaker Rob Simmons, former U.S. Congressman and presently the official business advocate for the state of Connecticut.