Chamber OnLine
News from the Genesee County Chamber of Commerce
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I would like to take this opportunity to recognize Michael Rivers, who is not only leaving our Chamber Board of Directors but also our community to move to Seattle in August. Michael has been everything you can ask for in a board member. He was always involved, volunteering for numerous committees and events and managing to squeeze these in around his professional calling as an attorney.
As a business membership organization, the Chamber relies on its members to volunteer their precise time and professional skills to guide and drive our Chamber as board members, committee members and general volunteering. We at the Chamber always try to remember and respect the fact that all of our volunteers have full-time careers outside of the Chamber that must come first. Their willingness to give of their free time is what makes our Chamber the great organization that it is.
We wish Michael well in his next chapter of his life in Seattle. Thank you Michael - and thank you to all our board of directors and member volunteers for all that you do and have done for the Genesee County Chamber of Commerce.
Sincerely,
Tom Turnbull
President
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CHAMBER'S FREE SMALL BUSINESS WORKSHOP FALL SCHEDULE
The Genesee County Chamber of Commerce has announced its Fall 2017 schedule for small business workshops.
These business workshops are held in conjunction with the United States Small Business Administration and the Genesee County Chamber of Commerce. The workshops are open to all Chamber and non-Chamber businesses and their employees and will offer expert advice from experienced business professionals designed to help small businesses succeed and grow.
The Fall schedule is as follows:
- September 13 - "Explaining the New Paid Family
Leave Act"
- October 11 - "Managing Four Generations in
the Workplace"
- November 15 - "Interviewing, Hiring and Maintaining Employees".
SBA workshops are held at the Chamber office and start at 7:30 a.m. with an informal networking session followed by the one-hour workshop at 8 a.m. All SBA workshops are free to Chamber members and only $10 to non-Chamber members. For more information contact Kelly Bermingham or by phone at 585-343-7440 ext. 1026.
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 SAVE THE DATE - 28TH ANNUAL AGRICULTURAL TOUR SEPTEMBER 20
The 28th Annual Decision Maker's Agricultural tour will take place this year on Wednesday, September 20. The tour will start with breakfast at 8 a.m. at the Kennedy Building on the Genesee County Fairgrounds. From the fairgrounds, a bus tour will depart and return around noon.
This year's theme is "Genesee County's International Ag Connections" and will feature agri-businesses with ties to international companies. Look for more details to follow soon.
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2018 TRAVEL TRIPS - ALASKA AND FRANCE
 
Two new Chamber travel trips have been added for 2018. An Alaskan 7-Day Discovery Cruise will depart August 14 and return August 26. Cost of the trip is $5,299 per person. "France Magnifique" a 13-day tour of France will take place from Sept. 20 through Oct. 2. Cost of the France trip is $4,499 per person. Travel Presentation on these trips will be held August 30 at Richmond Library starting at 5:30 p.m. For more information on all Chamber travel trips, visit the Chamber's website at www.geneseeny.com/Trips.
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ARE YOU A PREMIER MEMBER?
For just $100 more than your base membership, you can increase the visibility of your business or organization through increased recognition at Chamber events and with Chamber services and products throughout the year. For a complete list of Premier Chamber Member Benefits click
here.
All Premier members are featured in every ChamberOnline newsletter. Click on the link in the right column of this newsletter for a complete list of current Premier Chamber members.
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TOURISM NEWS
Visitor Center Activities
Visitors from Scotland stop in with their Chamber sponsored hotel key cards to receive their free welcome gift provided by the tourism program on behalf of our community.
The Visitor Center staff and volunteers have enjoyed meeting visitors from all over the world who are coming by our visitor center for sightseeing/dining recommendations, area brochures, maps, and even a free "welcome" gift provided by the Chamber of Commerce.
Our visitor guest book shows that since Memorial Day Weekend, we've assisted 316 travelers who've stayed a total of 339 nights in Genesee County. Once inside, they've collected 843 pieces of local brochures, maps, and more. After hours, visitors still have access to our lobby brochures and another 414 brochures from the lobby have been taken since the lobby opened for 24- hour access in January. Directions and area maps have been the biggest request, followed by local brochures and suggestions for things to do in the area during their time here.
The center will remain open with extended hours through Labor Day.
Upcoming Travel Shows & Events:
We will be promoting our tourism partners at the following upcoming trade and leisure travel shows:
- Aug 24-Sept 4 -The Great New York State Fair - Syracuse NY
- Aug 28th - DONYS Group Travel Show - Verona, NY
- Sept. 11- Canadian Tour Operator FAM tour/ Genesee County and I Love NY
- Sept 13-17- America's Largest RV Show - Hershey, PA
- Sept 29-Oct. 1st NYS RV Show - Syracuse, NY
REDC Round 8 - Market NY Grant
The Chamber has completed a tourism grant application through the Finger Lakes Regional Economic Development Council to support the 4-county Country Byways (GLOW) counties in further developing our international marketing initiatives. If received, the $100,000 grant will provide sales and marketing program dollars that will be directed to attract more visitors from the UK, Germany, China and Canadian leisure and group travel sectors.
2018 Visitor Guide Advertising Accepted Now
Adverting is still being accepted for the 2018 Genesee County Visitor Guide. Although the early bird discount has ended, Chamber members receive $100 off advertising rates. As we've seen an increased demand for this publication, we will be increasing our print quantity by 20,000 for a total of 100,000 distribution. Please see the
attached
contract/rate sheet and be in touch with
Kelly Rapone
with questions or to reserve your space. Ad design is included in the rate. Guide advertisers also receive exclusive listings and plottings on the map pads that are provided to the hotel desk clerks. The tear-off maps are highly popular and are reprinted each year to highlight our travel guide advertisers.
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WANT LOYAL EMPLOYEES? HERE ARE 7 THINGS YOU SHOULD BE DOING
Leadership is a both a give and take relationship. If you want employees to go the extra mile, you have to go the extra mile too. If you want loyal employees, here are 7 things you should be doing.
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QUOTE OF THE MONTH
"Believe you can and you're halfway there."
- Theodore Roosevelt
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Your Chamber Resources:
Kelly Bermingham, Director of Membership & Special Events
Ginny Elsasser, Staff Accountant
Melissa A. George, Executive Assistant
Kelly Rapone, Tourism Marketing Director
Tom Turnbull, President
Lindsey Turrell, Tourism Marketing Assistant
Karyn Winters, Business Education Alliance Director
KWinters@GeneseeNY.com
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Thank you Chamber Champions!
The Genesee County Chamber of Commerce would like to thank our Chamber Champions:
These businesses have taken the lead role in investing in our Chamber's mission of enhancing business and community development in Genesee County.
To find out how your business can become a Chamber Champion, contact
Kelly Bermingham
at 585-343-7440.
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E-Z PASS TAGS AVAILABLE AT THE GENESEE COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
As a convenience to
area residents, the Genesee County Chamber of Commerce sells
E-Z Pass tags.
In conjunction with the New York State Thruway Authority, E-Z Pass tags are conveniently available
at the Chamber for
$25 each.
Here's how it works: Stop by the Chamber and buy a prepackaged kit for $25. Register the Tag. Install and use! Once registered, it can be replenished as needed. Enjoy the convenience and savings (10%) by using E-Z Pass.
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Did you know the chamber has Darien Lake Tickets for Sale? They are only $30 for Chamber Members and they include parking!
Starting on July 31, take your "GOOD ANY DAY TICKETS" you purchase at the Chamber to the Ticket Window at Darien Lake - you get one FREE!
Stop by the chamber office located at 8276 Park Road, Batavia from 8:30am-4:30pm, M-F to purchase your Good Any Day Ticket!
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Connect with your Chamber:
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8276 Park Road
Batavia, NY 14020
M-F, 8:30am-4:30pm
585-343-7440 |
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