News, Happenings & Collaborations |
|
Included in this Issue ... |
|
We are pleased to share the following news, happenings, and collaborations with you! The information contained in this week's newsletter was shared with the Chamber on or before noon on the Thursday before it was sent. To have your information considered for inclusion in future issues, please submit your information on or before noon on the Thursday before you'd like it published. |
|
- Register for Train-the-Trainer Session
- It's time to Cornhole
- Media Coverage
- Conference Coverage
|
|
- Apps open: Debra Harrington Scholarship
- Help to find employees
- Diversity, Equity, Inclusion Survey
- National Heritage Area Effort
|
|
Visit Watkins Glen
& Schuyler County
|
|
Watkins Glen
Area Chamber
|
|
|
|
|
|
NY Forward & Other
Government News
|
#SleeveUpSchuyler
Vaccination Clinic
Updates from the State
Shuttered Venue Operators update
Small Business Loan Info
Health Insurance Deadline Extended
|
|
|
|
New staff this season?
We can help! Customer/Hospitality
Train-the-Trainer Session
We all know that it costs more to find new customers than it does to keep current customers. In fact, some studies indicate that it can cost as much as five times more to bring new people through the door. In addition, loyal customers are more likely to leave positive reviews, which also have bottom-line boosting potential. In a 2016 study, online reviews were credited with improving sales by 18%. Providing stellar customer service takes thought and training. Owners and managers of frontline staff are invited to join Executive Director Michael Hardy for one of the following virtual train-the-trainer sessions:
- April 28, 2021: 1:30 to 3:00 pm
- April 29, 2021: 9:00 to 11:00 am
Attendance is included with membership, however registration is required. Email info@watkinsglenchamber.com. In May, we will offer a second training for frontline staff.
|
|
|
|
 |
It's time to Cornhole
Registration is now open for the Chamber's first annual Cornhole Tournament. Presented by the Corning Credit Union, the event is scheduled for June 17, from noon to 5pm (rain or shine). Find your partner ... we're looking for 20 two-person teams ... register online. The event will be held at Toast Winery (formerly Pompass Ass Wines). Make plans to step away from your desk: enjoy an afternoon of fun, networking, and fresh air. More info.
|
|
|
|
Marketing opps still available
Visitors are here. Summer is coming. Share your message through several great marketing opportunities with the Chamber.
|
-
Cornhole Tournament, presented by the Corning Credit Union, has additional sponsorship opportunities.
- Window space at 214 N. Franklin Street: $125/month
- Brochure distribution at the State Park: $160 for the season (Limited quantities to comply with COVID regulations)
- Video segments at the State Park & at 214 N. Franklin: $130/month
Questions? Contact Executive Director Michael Hardy at (607) 535-4300.
|
|
|
|
|
Empire State Road Trip
Writer Victor Block captured the essence of three of the many enjoyable adventures visitors can experience when they venture to the southern Finger Lakes in this article that appeared this month in Prime Life Times, which serves 18 counties and enjoys more than 30,000 readers throughout central Illinois and west-central Indiana.
|
|
|
|
|
Watkins Glen Featured
Watkins Glen is featured in Getting on Travel, an online magazine that was co-founded by two award-winning travel writers, Getting On Travel is a favorite digital destination for those looking for travel spots. The publication is presented by seasoned travelers with a flair for writing.
|
|
|
|
|
DTN calling
The Watkins Glen Area Chamber of Commerce partners with DTN (Destination Travel Network) to provide members with marketing ideas and digital opportunities on the Chamber's website (explorewatkinsglen.com). Through this partnership, representatives from DTN may contact you with ideas and pricing.
|
|
|
|
Debra Harrington Scholarship: Class of '21
Schuyler County members of the Class of 2021/graduating students from Bradford, Odessa-Montour, and Watkins Glen Central School are invited to apply for the Debra Harrington Scholarship. Debra was a passionate advocate for leadership development and enhanced educational programs for students. The winner will be announced at the graduation ceremony, and the $1,000 scholarship will be awarded to the student after successful completion (3.0 GPA or better) of the first semester of college or training. Details and application are available here. Submissions will be accepted through April 30, 2021.
|
|
|
|
|
NYS Tourism Conference
Strategies & Tactics
Last week's conference offered a variety of sessions. Some were tactical, like how to build a Facebook ad. Others explored strategy, like new and creative models for funding the travel and tourism industry. And some talked about best practices, like ensuring that our locations and operations consider all aspects of diversity, inclusion, and equity. Don Welsh, from Destinations International, shared some statistics from American Express Travel: Global Travel Trends Report. Of the people surveyed:
- 87% said that having a future trip planned gave them something to look forward to.
- 76% are actively creating a destination wish list.
- 56% are willing to book now, even knowing they may have to cancel.
- 65% said they are planning to travel after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine.
- 68% are trying to be more aware and supportive of sustainably-friendly travel brands.
Executive Director Michael Hardy was a panelist on the ROVE Update on State-wide Market Intelligence Dashboard that explained the new mobile data collection initiative. With more than 3 billion points of data, the tool will provide visitation insights for major points of interest across the State from 2019, 2020, and 2021. The tool can be used to make decisions that span departments across travel and tourism organizations. WGACC is currently leveraging the tool and looks forward to sharing knowledge as applicable.
|
|
|
|
Path through History stops at Schuyler County Historical Society
The Schuyler County Historical Society will open its doors on June 19 and October 9 once again this year as part of the State’s “Path through History” event. In addition, visitors are invited to visit the Lee School Museum during the fall event. This is a state-wide initiative that links historically and culturally significant sites, locations, and events throughout New York State. If your organization is participating in this initiative, please be sure to add your event to the Chamber’s website (through the extranet). For more information, contact the I LOVE NY Path Through History Team at PTHweekend@iloveny.com.
2021 Path Through History Weekends Dates:
Spring - June 19-20, 2021 • Fall - October 9-11, 2021
|
|
|
|
|
Your voice counts! Survey to improve Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion needs
Please participate in a survey to develop a baseline understanding of where New York State is now in terms of diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives and opportunities to improve. Survey results will highlight current realities concerning DEI in our workplaces, visitation, and marketing efforts. It should take less than 15 minutes to complete, and you will need information from HR and marketing as you go through it. Please complete the survey at your earliest convenience.
|
|
|
|
Let the Chamber know about
your events and spring traditions
Let us help you celebrate spring traditions, holidays, and festivities! We want to share your events on our social media platforms and newsletters. Like us on all our social channels (Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter), and we’ll return the favor! Using this form, please submit your public event to notify the Chamber and its staff. Pending membership the Chamber will assist in promoting the event to visitors and locals alike!
|
|
|
|
Hints from Hardy
Business and hospitality hints
from Michael Hardy
Celebrate Tourism
National Travel and Tourism Week (NTTW), the annual celebration of the contributions of the U.S. travel industry, will spotlight the critical role that travel will play in driving economic recovery efforts and building the path forward through the theme Power of Travel.
Celebrated annually the first full week in May, NTTW was created by Congress in 1983 to elevate the economic power of travel in the U.S. The 38th annual NTTW (May 2-8) arrives at an opportune moment to recognize the importance to the U.S. economy of initiating a post-pandemic travel recovery.
“NTTW takes on a special significance this year as the travel industry looks to rebound quickly from the pandemic and accelerate recovery efforts,” said U.S. Travel Association President and CEO Roger Dow. “The past year was incredibly challenging, but we saw the full power of the travel industry on display in the way we united and supported one
another through this crisis.”
"The Watkins Glen Area Chamber of Commerce salutes the power of travel by connecting our members and partners with prospective travelers, providing educational opportunities for those in the travel and tourism industry, and supporting our members’ and partners’ needs,” said Michael Hardy, Executive Director of the Chamber. “Despite the challenges of the last year, the Watkins Glen Chamber is ready and eager to open our natural wonders, attractions, farms, and stores to visitors and help drive Schuyler County’s and the Finger Lakes’ recovery efforts. National Travel and Tourism Week is an opportunity to remind visitors and residents of the incredible contributions of the travel industry not just to our local economy and workforce, but to our community’s identity and culture.”
|
|
|
|
TV host & Travel Expert highlights the Finger Lakes
Darley Newman and her Emmy-award winning crew captured our region for the highly rated PBS show, Travels with Darley. We're all invited to the watch party on 4/28 at noon on Facebook Live. This event is part of a virtual series debuting with destinations from France to Martinique. Bookmark this page -- https://www.facebook.com/events/147767993945374 -- and we'll see you on Wednesday!
|
|
|
|
Check out the Finger Lakes Boating Museum
With boating season just around the corner, we're pleased to share that the Finger Lakes Boating Museum is hosting our May mixer. Join us on May 5, from 5:30 to 6:30 pm on Zoom. Register today and then meet, mix, and mingle with fellow Chamber members. Please note, this will be our last virtual mixer. June 9, we will be live and in-person at the Idlwilde Inn. (Health protocols and safety measures will be in place.)
|
|
|
|
Exporting explored during webinar
Thursday, May 6, 2021
10am via MS Teams (virtual)
Contact: michael.grossman@trade.gov or rosanna.masucci@trade.gov
Mark your calendar for a complimentary webinar to learn about services offered through the U.S. commercial Service, including Rural America's Intelligence Service for Experters (RAISE). RAISE market research reports offer your company targeted intelligence to help maximize your export sales. In addition, learn how Empire State Development / Global NY can assist, including through grant funding to reimburse your company for RAISE and other services, participating in trade events, and more.
|
|
|
|
Register today for the
Brochure Exchange
The annual Brochure Exchange will be on May 7 at Grist Iron from 8:30 to noon. Online registration is open (and required). Pick up the Travel Guide, brochures from your business colleagues, and share your marketing materials with other Chamber members who can help you spread the word about your offerings and opportunities.
|
|
|
|
Join us tomorrow, April 27,
for "Talking Tuesdays"
Chat with Executive Director Michael Hardy and Cindy Kimble, President of the Finger Lakes Tourism Alliance, about the pressing issues for tourism-based businesses and the initiative to earn "National Heritage Area" designation for the Finger Lakes (see story below). The next "Talking Tuesdays" will be 12 to 1 pm on Tuesday, April 27. These sessions are comprised of brainstorming, planning, information from the Chamber, and from time to time a guest speaker. All tourism-based members and partners are welcome. All sessions are held via Zoom, and advance RSVP is not required. Coffee break, snacking and /or brown-bag lunches during zoom are encouraged.
Zoom link:
Meeting ID: 874 4108 3852
Passcode: 896020
|
|
|
|
4th Annual "Pay It Forward"
Chicken BBQ
May 1, 11:30 'til gone
Montour Moose #426
This is a drive-through event and all proceeds support CASA of the Southern Tier, dedicated to providing individual advocacy for abused and neglected children in the Southern Tier. Purchase $10 advance sale tickets at casasoutherntier.org/bbq-payitforward for a half of a BBQ chicken, beans, macaroni salad, and a roll. Questions? Call (607) 936-2272 or email children@casasoutherntier.org. This event is sponsored by Chemung Canal Trust Company and Sidle Insurance and Risk Management.
April is National Child Abuse Prevention month, but the need to help abused and neglected children exists every day, all year. Consider becoming a Volunteer Child Advocate with CASA of the Southern Tier. Learn about the next information session or call CASA at (607) 936-2272.
|
|
|
|
Member News & Collaborations |
|
Cayuga Health &
Cayuga Addiction Recovery Services Partner
Cayuga Health and Cayuga Addiction Recovery Services [C.A.R.S.] are partnering to enhance the delivery of addiction recovery services throughout the region. Cayuga Addiction Recovery Services offers outpatient and residential Chemical Dependency Services, an Opioid Treatment Program and a comprehensive, longer term residential treatment program for men at the 60-bed Residential Addiction Recovery Center in Trumansburg.
|
|
|
|
Farm Sanctuary in the
running for a Webby
Farm Sanctuary has been nominated for the highly competitive “Animals on Social Media” category in the 25th Annual Webby Awards and is currently in second place. Cast your vote for the only "mission-driven, non-dog nominee in the category." The New York Times has dubbed the Webby Awards as the "Internet’s highest honor.” Let's give our farm animals some love!
|
|
|
|
Looking for Employees?
Consider These Options
To help employers in the tourism industry find employees, the New York State Division of Tourism together with the New York State Department of Labor offer the following:
- A tourism-specific page on the NY Hire Now job bank
- Stand-alone tourism-specific virtual job fairs and/or tourism tracks. In anticipation of the spring/summer season, consider this virtual job fair date:
- April 29: Tourism Pavilion at Southern Tier Regional Job Fair
Sign up for a free booth at the appropriate job fairs. Questions? Contact Kelly Garafalo-Wilkins at kelly.garofalo@esd.ny.gov.
In addition, the New York State Department of Labor is partnering with CSS Workforce NY, SUNY Corning Community College, and the Greater Southern Tier BOCES to host the Southern Tier Regional Virtual Career Fair, held on April 29, from 11am to 2pm. Recruiters will enjoy a customizable exhibitor booth equipped with high-resolution avatars, and special tabs to share video content, brochures, job vacancies, company overviews, and more, at no cost. The virtual fair enables real-time interaction between recruiters and candidates. Registration is requested by April 14. For more: https://nysdolvirtual.getyourbooth.com/event2
|
|
|
|
Forest in Focus
Need firewood? With a fuelwood permit, you can take dead and down trees from the National Forest. Forest staff recently made this a bit easier, as a large number of trees (dead and dying Ash) were cut within the Backbone Horsecamp and along Potomac Road. Give us a call; at 607-546-4470, and we will get back to you on how to obtain a permit.
|
|
|
|
New home on the horizon
Schuyler County Habitat for Humanity is currently building a home in Logan in the Town of Hector. As the drywall installation and room painting gets underway Habitat needs lots of hands. All skill sets, from none to expert, are welcome. Habitat has all the tools and supplies, but Habitat needs you. Office and business groups could come as a team and do some “team building.” Build days are Thursdays and Saturdays. Call or email Bob Groll: 368.3877 / bgroll@schuylerhabitat.org
|
|
|
|
Finger Lakes Farm Country
Visitors to the Finger Lakes continue to enjoy agri-tourism experiences. Touring farms, visiting with animals, learning about agricultural operations and nature's sweetness are sought after experiences. Please share what you're doing with the Chamber and Finger Lakes Farm Country so we can share your news too!
|
|
|
|
Public input sought
to designate FLX region
National Heritage Area
The Finger Lakes region of New York is under consideration for designation as a National Heritage Area. Currently, the National Park Service is studying the feasibility of designating 14 counties of the Finger Lakes region as a National Heritage Area.
Public input is sought by the National Park Service, with the 90-day comment period under way and continuing through June 1, 2021. To offer your thoughts, please submit your comments via this link: NPS PEPC - Documents Open For Review
“Input from the public regarding the creation of a national heritage area in the Finger Lakes is critical to the study process. We also hope to learn more about the region from the people who know it best,” said Allen Cooper, regional chief of planning, National Park Service. “The information, interest and inquiries we receive from the public help inform our work as we assess the Finger Lakes as a potential National Heritage Area.”
The lengthy process of designating an area as a National Heritage Area has continued virtually during the COVID-19 pandemic. You can learn more here about what is a National Heritage Area. Visiting this link will take you to updates about the study on making Finger Lakes a National Heritage Area.
|
|
|
|
THIS SPACE RESERVED FOR LODGING MEMBERS
Any and all lodging members are welcome to share their spring specials
with the Chamber, to help spread the word here in our e-news
and on our social media platforms and website. Send us a note, please!
|
|
|
|
#SleeveUpSchuyler social media campaign debuts |
Schuyler County Public Health is kicking off their #SleeveUpSchuyler social media campaign to promote COVID-19 vaccination in Schuyler County. Community members can participate in the campaign a few different ways. They can:
For information about COVID-19 vaccines and vaccination site options available for Schuyler County residents, visit Schuyler County Public Health’s website at: SchuylerCounty.US/PublicHealth. The website includes Schuyler County COVID-19 vaccine clinic registration links (when available), information and links for pharmacies, Frequently Asked Questions, and more.
|
|
|
|
Updates from the State
- Movie Theater capacity increases to 33% today
- Museums, aquariums, zoos and botanical garden capacity increases to 50% today
- Large-scale arenas and event venue capacity increases to 25% beginning May 19. This includes professional and collegiate sports and major performances
Social distancing, masks, health screenings and all other health and safety protocols remain in effect. Governor Cuomo makes frequent announcements about the state of the virus in New York. To register for emails or to follow the news, please visit the web. In addition, the Chamber posts relevant updates on our website.
|
|
|
|
Vaccine clinic in Watkins
Schuyler County Public Health will be having a first dose Moderna COVID-19 vaccine clinic on Saturday, May 1, from 9 AM - 10 AM at the Watkins Glen Community Center. Visit http://schuylercounty.us/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=469 for more information. Pre-registration is welcome but not required.
"With High Season coming to Schuyler and The Finger Lakes, it is critical that we maximize the vaccination rate in Schuyler County," Michael Hardy, Executive Director of the Chamber said. "Our employees will have to get vaccinated OR employers are going to have to test those who don’t regularly (i.e. every 5 days) to ensure staff and customer/guest health and safety. As we know, a breakout anytime in the next two or three months, or worse in the middle of Aug. could result in a lockdown in our region and/or the state, which could have a devastating impact on what could be a record year. Mask up (likely through the holidays) and VAX up now!"
|
|
|
|
It's open: Shuttered Venue Operators grant application
The Small Business Administration's Shuttered Venue Operators Grants for Applications opened at noon on April 8. $16.2 billion is available for venues, theatres, and more. Get the details: https://www.svograntportal.sba.gov/s/
|
|
|
|
PPP small-business loan
program deadline
extended to May 31 with Senate vote
Senate passed a bill Thursday extending until May 31 the deadline for Paycheck Protection Program applications. The PPP Extension Act of 2021 also gives the SBA an additional 30 days beyond May 31 to process those loans. The House-passed measure now goes to President Joe Biden for his signature. Click here to learn more
|
|
|
|
Small business guidance and
loan resources during COVID-19
|
SBA offers several different relief options to help businesses, nonprofits, and faith-based organizations recover from the impacts of COVID-19.
|
|
|
|
New York's health insurance
Open Enrollment Period now extended
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced that New York's health insurance Open Enrollment Period will be further extended to May 15, 2021, aligning with states across the country. Click here to learn more
|
|
|
|
PROMOTE YOUR NEWS AND EVENTS
Add your happenings to the Public Events Calendar on our website!
Add your event quickly, easily, and at no cost. Click here for the submission page.
SHARE YOUR NEWS — VIA CHAMBER SOCIAL MEDIA & ENEWS
We will gladly feature your upcoming events and news on our social media channels and in our newsletter.
Contact Michael at (585) 721-6032 or send him your news
CONNECT WITH THE CHAMBER TEAM
Office Phone: (607) 535-4300
Katherine Jack, Visitor Center and Office Administrator email
Abby Lane, Events and Membership-Engagement Manager email
Stephanie Specchio, Director of Communications and Marketing email
Karen Dodson, Membership (Part-Time/Contract) email
Michael Hardy, Executive Director email and (585) 721-6032 (cell)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
