Conyers-Rockdale Chamber hosts trips of a lifetime at great prices

Ancient Terracotta soldiers, beautiful skylines and the brilliant blues of the Mediterranean waters await you as the Conyers-Rockdale Chamber of Commerce invites you to join them for trips to China and Italy.

“China is the trip of a lifetime. Most people are excited and want to go, but can’t afford it. We’ll be staying at 4-and 5-star hotels and all of the attractions are included,” said Fred Boscarino, president of the Chamber. “We took a vote and Italy’s Amalfi Coast was the most requested trip from travelers. We are really looking forward to exploring a new destination.”

This is the fourth consecutive year the Chamber is headed to the Far East and is rolling out the welcome mat to anyone who wants to go this fall and experience the culture, food and top tourists’ destinations in Beijing, Shanghai, Suzhou, and Hangzhou.

The nine-day journey, Oct. 14 – 22, includes round-trip airfare from New York’s JFK Airport, hotels, three meals per day and tours with English-speaking guides for $2,299 per person, double occupancy.

Boscarino said the Chamber again selected China, an emerging economic power, because the trip received high scores from previous participants. Last year, 110 travelers took one China with the Chamber.

Carolyn Williams, a retiree from Lithonia, was one of them, bringing along her “traveling buddies”—sister, Dot Ford, and her friend, Vivian Hood.

“This was a great opportunity to travel to China, a place I always wanted to go to,” said Williams, who has visited Hawaii, Russia, London, Sweden, Finland, Paris, Mexico, Bermuda, Rome, the Caribbean and Alaska. “The Rockdale Chamber offers great service throughout the entire process and I wanted to take advantage of what I felt was a great price that you won’t find with other groups traveling to these kinds of destinations.”

The Chamber also is going to the Amalfi Coast, Italy Nov. 11-19. Travelers will enjoy the first class Hotel Bristol, which is nestled in a cliff overlooking the sea and the Bay of Naples. The hotel offers stunning panoramic views of the picturesque village of Marina Grande, restaurants, and a relaxing sauna. The nine-day trip is $2,595 per person, double occupancy, and includes stops throughout Rome in Sorrento, Capri, Pompeii and Naples.

“We want to expose people to commerce and culture. We have a lot of exciting events planned for both of the excursions we’re taking this year,” said Boscarino. “There will be planned activities and plenty of free time for sightseeing and shopping.”

The trips, Boscarino said, are open to anyone who wants to enjoy another country—not just Chamber members. The Chamber has secured affordable rates through tour companies that specialize in packages for Chambers of Commerce.

The China trip deposit of $200 is due on July 2. Payment in full is due on July 16. The Italy trip’s initial deposit of $500 is due on July. Full payment is due on Aug. 5.

For more information on the trips, call the Conyers-Rockdale Chamber of Commerce at 770-483-7049.

Business Calendar

SBA sets “Connect Atlanta” for small suppliers

Small businesses can learn how to become effective suppliers with the federal governiment at a workshop, “Connect Atlanta,” that the Small Business Administration (SBA) is hosting on May 20, 10 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Federal Building, 77 Forsyth St., S.W., Atlanta.

The workshop will help provide the tools and resources needed to connect small businesses with federal and commercial supply chain and banks through matchmaking.

This event is free to attend. Registration is required. For more information or to register, visit https://atlanta.mybusinessmatches.com or call 1-866-853-3561.

DeKalb Chamber welcomes Police Chief Alexander

The DeKalb County Chamber of Commerce will welcome DeKalb County Police Chief Cedric Alexander on May 22, 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., at the Courtyard Marriot, 130 Clairemont Ave., Decatur.

Chief Alexander will serve as the guest speaker at the Chamber’s Executive Speaker Series Luncheon. DeKalb County’s new Police Chief will speak to the business community on his vision for public safety in the county.

Alexander is currently serving as National Second Vice President for the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE). Alexander also holds a membership with the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), and has published articles on police stress and burnout, and currently lectures on topics of management and leadership. Before coming to Dekalb, Alexander was the Federal Security Director for the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport.

The cost to attend is $45. For more information or to register for the luncheon, visit or call http://dekalbchamber.org or contact Noelle Lloyd at (404) 378-8000, ext. 224 and This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

ABWA to host monthly networking meeting

The American Business Women’s Association will host its monthly networking session for women in the business world on May 22, 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., at Wall Street Executive Suites, 2375 Wall Street, Suite 140, Conyers.

The purpose of the networking meeting is to bring together businesswomen of diverse occupations and to provide opportunities for them to help themselves and others grow personally and professionally through leadership, education and networking support.

The cost to attend is $20. For more information or to register, call Patti Bryson at 770-712-1688.

Ready2Work-Rockdale invites job seekers to free prep program

Many job seekers are missing the mark in their quest to secure employment. Rockdale Commissioner Oz Nesbitt is working to change that.

Nesbitt, through his Ready2Work-Rockdale initiative, is hosting a series of free workshops to help job seekers.

Ready2Work-Rockdale will present its next free workshop on boosting interviewing skills and resumes on Thursday, May 23, 6:30 p.m., at the Nancy Guinn Library, 864 Green St., Conyers in the community room.

Anyone who would like to attend is invited.

Gwinnett Chamber sets networking event

The Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce will host Gwinnettworking on  May 23, 7:30 – 9 a.m., at the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce, 6500 Sugarloaf Parkway, Duluth and is designed to build relationships, support professional development, and develop lead generating affiliations.

Members and potential new members are invited to meet professionals who wish to grow their business and their network by meeting new people in new industries. Non-members are limited to a one-time visit. Free to attend.

For more information on the program, visitwww.gwinnettworking.com or contact Kim Jones at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 770-232-3000.

SBA offers Affordable Health Care Act symposium

The Small Business Association (SBA) is inviting the community to attend a free workshop on the Affordable Health Care Act on May 21, 9 a.m. – 12:30 p.m,. at Georgia State University’s Student Center, 44 Courtland Street SE, Atlanta.

The symposium will explore the Affordable Health Care Act and its requirements, as well as opportunities for small businesses. The agenda will include an overview of the law and the new requirements for businesses of different sizes.

A panel of industry professionals will discuss compliance and insight into the Insurance Market Place and Share Responsibility provisions of the new law. The event is free to attend, but participants must register online at www.sba.gov. For more information, call 404-413-7830.