Reservation Deadline Approaching for ABB Spring Meeting Featuring Droo Callahan and Abby Veigel
By Julie Perine on April 12, 2021 via Connect-Bridgeport.com
The Associated Businesses of Bridgeport strives to bring useful information to its member businesses. When organizers shared their thoughts about keynote speakers for the Spring 2021 meeting, it was quickly evident that everyone was on the same page: Helping businesses get on track for a healthy and successful year. 
To be held April 22 at Bridgeport Conference Center, the meeting will feature a “Healthy You, Healthy Business” theme with Droo Callahan and Abby Veigel serving as speakers.
Callahan is the general manager of The Bridge Indoor Sports Complex, to open in June on Forrester Drive, near Bridgeport Recreation Complex ball fields. Callahan will provide an overview of the community facility and what it has to offer area families.
"With The Bridge being new to the community, it’s our goal to make a genuine influence on the area with respect to health, fun and fitness while also striving to have a positive impact on businesses with the guests that come to the community for events at complex," Callahan said. "(Speaking at the ABB meeting) will be a chance to get to know area business leaders and share our ideas in addition to learning from them to unilaterally impact the growth of the community."
A certified fitness coach, Viegel is the Healthy Bridgeport program lead. She spearheaded Team Bridgeport during last year’s “Health Games,” sponsored by Healthy Harrison. After Bridgeport won the competition
between cities, Healthy Bridgeport hit the ground running with health initiatives proposed for the competition. In the works now is a free interactive health app available to anyone, “Biggest Loser” and “10 Percent Takedown” weight loss challenges and the planning of a health festival and associated 5K run/walk. Viegel will explain the role which health and fitness play in performance and success.
between cities, Healthy Bridgeport hit the ground running with health initiatives proposed for the competition. In the works now is a free interactive health app available to anyone, “Biggest Loser” and “10 Percent Takedown” weight loss challenges and the planning of a health festival and associated 5K run/walk. Viegel will explain the role which health and fitness play in performance and success.
"Self- care is important for so many reasons, but I'll highlight one. By taking just a few minutes to yourself each day you can allow yourself to be more productive, as well as produce higher quality work," she said. "This is because stress has a negative effect on both the mind and body hindering both quantity and quality of work."
Healthy Bridgeport can help.
"Healthy Bridgeport has one mission and that is to reduce obesity in our community and to add years onto the lives of our residents," Viegel said. "A person who is healthy in body, mind and spirit is one who will feel happier, have more energy, and be motivated to make others around them happy and productive as well."
Social hour begins at 6 p.m. with Callahan and Viegel to begin speaking at 6:30 p.m. Representatives of ABB member businesses are encouraged to attend. Reservations must be made by Thursday, April 15 by calling 304-290-8636. Cost per person is $15.
"At the ABB, we want our member partners to be successful and we encourage them all to get to this important meeting, make a personal eating and exercise plan that fits their schedule, leverage the unique opportunities we have in Bridgeport (Healthy Bridgeport, The Bridge, all the bike/walking/running paths, and the outstanding workout facilities (Main Street Fitness, Planet Fitness, Anytime Fitness for example) that we have in Bridgeport and make this happen in their lives," said ABB President Marquette.
Businesses paying B&O taxes to the City of Bridgeport are eligible to belong to the ABB, which also hosts a fall meeting, Light Up Night, Summer Kick-Off and the autumntime downtown Bridgeport scarecrow display and contest. The purpose of the organization is to support, encourage and network. Dues are $95 per year. Access a membership form HERE.
Editor's Note: Pictured from top are 2021 ABB board members Brad Ford, President Doug Marquette, Secretary Lisa Lang, Vice President Mark Bonamico and Jaclyn Rominger. Not pictured are Treasurer Hilary Gonzalez, Andrea Kerr, Katie Squires and Julie Perine; General Manager of The Bridge Sports Complex Droo Callahan and Healthy Bridgeport Program Lead/Fitness Coach Abby Viegel.
