Chamber  OnLine
News from the Genesee County Chamber of Commerce
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
 
One of the most frequently asked questions we get from Chamber members or a potential Chamber member is
"why should my business spend our heard-earned money to be a Chamber member?"

Now it's easy to rattle off the many benefits Chamber members receive - networking opportunities, electric and
natural gas discounts, business consulting & counseling, low-interest small business loans, government advocacy and so much more. Taking advantage of any of these benefits can more than offset the cost of your Chamber membership. But what if a business doesn't take advantage of these
benefits? Why should they pay Chamber dues?
IT'S HOME SHOW TIME!
 
The fourth annual Genesee County Chamber of Commerce Home show takes place Friday-Sunday, March 31, April 1 & 2 at the Falleti Ice Arena.  Over 60 area businesses will be displaying their products and services at the Home Show and offering home improvement tips and suggestions on a face-to-face basis to the general public that attends.
                   
The Home Show will be open Friday, March 31 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday, April 1 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, April 2 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.  Admission to the event to $3 with children 12 and under admitted free when accompanied by an adult.  Discount $1 off admission coupons are available at the Genesee County Chamber of Commerce office, 8276 Park Road, Batavia or at any of the participating businesses.  

There will also be a drawing for a $500 gift certificate that can be used at any of the participating Home Show businesses.  The drawing will take place on Sunday at 3 p.m.  The winner need not be present.  Food concessions will be provided by the award-winning restaurant Alex's Place.
 
A complete list of participating businesses and a map of the booth layout is available at www.geneseeny.com/homeshow

For more information call the Genesee County Chamber of Commerce at 585-343-7440. 
INTRODUCING KARYN WINTERS -
NEW BEA DIRECTOR
 
I would like to take this opportunity to formally introduce myself.  My name is Karyn Winters and I am the new director of the Genesee BEA and I cannot begin to express how thrilled I am to begin my new role in the organization.  I had the opportunity to meet with Beth Kemp a few weeks ago and she had nothing but wonderful things to say about the BEA board.  Today marks only my fourth day in the position and I hope to eventually meet many of you in the coming weeks.
 
I grew up in Genesee County and am very familiar with the rural culture, its businesses, and its schools.  I am a 2003 graduate of Pavilion CSD and my outstanding teachers inspired me to become an educator.  In 2007, I earned my bachelor's degree in secondary social studies education from Siena College and I went on to earn my master's degree in world history from SUNY Brockport in 2009.  Unable to find a position in my field, I was fortunate to have had work experience in special events planning and non-for-profit.  I previously worked for the Greater Rochester American Red Cross, the National Kidney Foundation of Upstate New York, and Junior Achievement of Central Upstate New York and I hope my past professional experiences and creativity will help bring fresh ideas to the BEA's outstanding summer career camps and work readiness programming.
 
Please do not hesitate to call me at the office (343-7440 ext. 1025) or on my cell phone (585-409-6241) or by email at kwinters@geneseeny.com.   I look forward to hearing from you!
SMALL BUSINESS WORKSHOPS FREE TO CHAMBER MEMBERS
 
"Social Media 3.0 - Improving Your Social Media Marketing" will be the subject of this month's Chamber Small Business Workshop on Wednesday, March 8th at the Chamber office. 
 
This is the one of a series of business workshops 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.
 
"This is our third workshop on Social Media Marketing and they are always one of the most popular workshops we hold during the year," said Tom Turnbull, Chamber President.  "Learn how to integrate Social Media into your marketing strategy in a way that works best for your business."
 
Upcoming Small Business Workshops include April 5 - The Fundamentals of Negotiation; May 10 - Constant Contact Workshop; and June 7 - Search Engine Optimization.  SBA workshops are held at the Chamber office and start at 7:30 a.m.  They are free to Chamber members and $10 to non-Chamber members.   For more information contact Kelly Bermingham at kbermingham@geneseeny.com or by phone at 585-343-7440 ext. 1026.
CHAMBER TRAVEL TRIPS - CHINA AND ITALY 
 
The Genesee County Chamber has sent over 1,000 travelers to China and this year's tour promises to be one of the best.   The nine-day trip will take place from October 7-15, 2017 and includes roundtrip airfare, 4-and 5-star hotel accommodations, 3 meals each day, deluxe bus tours, fluent English-speaking guides and entrance fees for attractions - all for just $2,199 per person!  
 
A Reflections of Italy tour is also scheduled for September 27 - October 6, 2017 and includes stops in Milan, Venice, Florence, Siena, Perugia, Assisi and Rome.  Cost of the trip is only $4,119 per person for a double room and there are also only a limited amount of reservations available.  
 
For more information on all of the Chamber trips, visit the Chamber's website at www.geneseeny.com/Trips.
MARCH- TOURISM NEWS

New Tourism web site: 


The Chamber has recently completed the development of a brand new, comprehensive tourism web site.  The new site, designed and hosted by Corporate Communications  
replaces one that was last revamped in 2011 and provides responsive layouts for smart phone, tablet, notebook or desktop users.     VisitGeneseeNY.com  is used each year by over 50,000 visitors allowing for 24/7 access to information.  Locals also often use the site's community calendar to discover what's happening in the area. Area tourism businesses and attraction are provided a complimentary page on our site. To have information added, changed, etc. contact Lauren Humphrey at Visit@GeneseeNY.com.
 
Consumer Travel Shows
The Chamber's Tourism program will be distributing Genesee County visitor information at the following consumer travel shows this month:
 
March 2-5: Toronto, ON: Toronto RV Show, torontospringcampingrvshow.com

March 2-5: Oaks, PA: Greater Philadelphia RV Show, PhillyRVshow.com

March 2-5: Syracuse, NY: CNY RV & Camping Show, NYS Fairgrounds, cnyrvshow.com

March 3-5: Erie, PA: Erie Sport & Travel Expo, eriepromotions.com 

March 4-5: Niagara, ON: Niagara Golf Show & Sale, niagaragolfshow.ca         

March 3-5: Foxborough, MA: AAA Southern New England, aaasne.com         

March 9-12: Hamburg, NY: WNY Sport & Travel Expo, eriepromotions.com    

March 10-12: Long Island, NY: AAA Travel Marketplace, Hofstra University, aaa.com    

March 10-13: York, PA: York Campers World RV Show, yorkrvshow.net

March 25-26: Ottawa, ON: The Travel & Vacation Show, travelandvacationshow.com  

 
Golf Shows
Our staff along with Terry Hills has been promoting Genesee County Golf at several Canadian golf shows throughout February and March in an effort to increase our golf package reservations for the upcoming season.  
(Lauren Humphrey, Tourism Marketing Assistant & Casey Brown, Terry Hills Golf Pro at the Toronto Golf & Travel Show)


Information Center Volunteer Opportunity!
Do you love to tell people about all of the great things there are to see and do in and around Genesee County? Have the scoop on the best places to eat and unique places to shop?   If so we'd like to invite you to serve as a Genesee County Ambassador at our new information center!   Our volunteer opportunities are very flexible and you can sign up for as often as you like. Please see the attached form  for more information or call Lauren Humphrey   at 585.344.4152.
TO ACHIEVE A MAJOR GOAL, FIRST TACKLE A FEW SMALL ONES
 
One of the difficulties with achieving great things is knowing how to get there. Every book you read was written by someone who completed a book. Every concert you attend involves musicians who can play well enough to be onstage. You can see the final product, but you can't see all of the steps required to get there.
 
A lot of discussions about how to achieve significant goals focus on grit, that combination of resilience and persistence that is required to stick with a big goal and see it to completion. But there are two aspects of achieving big goals that don't get as much attention despite their importance for success.
 
QUOTE OF THE MONTH
"No man will make a great leader who wants to do it all himself or get all the credit for doing it."    - Andrew Carnegie
Your Chamber Resources:
 
Kelly Bermingham,  Director of Membership & Special Events
 
Ginny Elsasser , Staff Accountant
 
Melissa A. George , Executive Assistant
 
Lauren Humphrey Tourism Marketing Assistant

Kelly Rapone , Tourism Marketing Director
 
Tom Turnbull , President

Karyn Winters, Business Education Alliance Director
KWinters@GeneseeNY.com
MARCH 2017
Thank you
Chamber
 Champions!
 

The Genesee County Chamber of Commerce would like to thank our Chamber Champions:

 

Alex's Place  

 

Clark Patterson Lee

 

Freed Maxick

              

Lawley

 

National Grid

 

Terry Hills Golf Course, Restaurant, & Banquet Facility

 

Turnbull Heating & Air

 

Tompkins- Bank of Castile/

Tompkins Insurance  

 

United Memorial
Medical Center

 

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.

Thank you
 
Welcome
Looking for something to do? Check out the Community Events Calendar on the Chamber Website !
                
2016 - 2017 Chamber Business Directories are now available. 
 
Stop on by the Chamber Office at 
8276 Park Road, 
to pick up one, or two, or even three for your office!!! 


GENESEE COUNTY MAPS AVAILABLE 
AT THE CHAMBER
 
The new Genesee County full-color map is now available at  the Genesee County Chamber of Commerce free of charge.  Stop by the Chamber office during regular business hours at 
8276 Park Road, Batavia and pick up your copy.

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.

Please note our new address: 
 
Genesee County Chamber & Visitor Center
8276 Park Road
Batavia, NY 14020

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8276 Park Road
Batavia, NY 14020
M-F, 8:30am-4:30pm
585-343-7440