Hundreds of Connecticut companies meet with lawmakers at annual Business Day event
Business owners from all over the state got together on Wednesday at The Bushnell Performing Arts Center in Hartford for the annual Connecticut Business Day event.
“Every time a business owner can let their voice be heard, it is a way for us to be able to influence what decisions are being made,” said Chris Davis, vice president of public policy at the Connecticut Business and Industry Association (CBIA).
The CBIA hosts the event each year, with the goal of bringing the issues that matter most to its members to legislators. Those involved say attendance grows each year.
“As a lawmaker, it’s critically important for you to hear directly from your constituents and in this case, directly from the employers in your district,” Davis said.
Especially since leading a business can be a tough task when it comes to rules, regulations, and rising costs.
“We obviously have to do everything we can to partner with our customers to make our customers’ lives easier,” said Brian Montanari, president and CEO of HABCO Industries. “And we have to do everything we can to maintain good culture and maintain our workforce. And when you’re in the middle of that, it sometimes becomes a challenge.”
Montanari said each sector faces its own challenges, but all need to rely on that working relationship with representatives.
“We know Connecticut is not the least expensive place to do business, but there are a lot of positives in Connecticut,” Montanari said. “But I do think we still have a lot of work to do to allow business owners to determine what’s best for our employees, not necessarily the lawmakers.”
It’s a relationship they hope to continue to work on, long after Business Day wraps up.
“Whatever you put in the email to us, make sure you put in the email to your legislator as well,” said Peter Myers, director of public policy at CBIA. “Make your voice heard and speak up.”
For those who didn’t make it to Wednesday’s event, the CBIA encourages businesses to use the nonprofit as a resource.
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