News, Happenings & Collaborations |
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Included in this Issue ... |
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- Chamber committees welcome members
- Vote for your favorite "Holiday Lights"
- Donations sought for virtual auction
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- Travel guide deadline extended to Jan. 15
- Virtual Networking Mixer this Wednesday
- Tips for navigating PPP — past and future
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Visit Watkins Glen & Schuyler County |
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Watkins Glen Area
Chamber
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Chamber members invited to join committees
Enjoy some ROI — a ‘Return on (Your) Involvement’
In line with the old adage of “the more you put in, the more you get out,” the Chamber has created committees to enable engaged members to become more involved … working collaboratively on efforts that fit your personal and professional goals and needs.
Marketing Committee
NEW in 2021!
Committee Chair and Board Liaison: Positions Open
The Marketing Committee serves as an advisory committee for the WGACC Executive Director and his team, discussing marketing strategies and tools, developing innovative ideas, and providing feedback on marketing activities. Next Meeting: Tuesday. Jan. 5, at 3:30 p.m. via ZOOM
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Tourism Task Force
Committee Chair: Carmella Hoffman, Sunset View Creamery
Board Liaison, Kerry Keller, Glenora Wine Cellars
The Tourism Task Force promotes, develops, and enhances the tourist experience in Watkins Glen and Schuyler County area.
Next Meeting: Tuesday, Jan. 12 at 8:30 a.m. via ZOOM
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Ambassador Committee
Committee Chair and Board Liaison: Positions Open
The Ambassador Committee supports, strengthens, and grows membership and the business community through direct contact and recruitment of special-interest groups, who may meet or vacation in our area. Next Meeting: Wednesday, Jan. 13 at Noon via ZOOM
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Events Committee
Winter Gala Chair: Michel Ray, Visions FCU
Golf Tournament Chair: Stephen Klemann, SK
Board Liaison: Position Open
The Events Committee assists the WGACC Events Manager in meeting financial and attendance goals; elevates the visibility of the organization’s public-facing events; and organizes specialized events for members.
Next Meeting: Thursday, Jan. 21, at 3 p.m. via ZOOM
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Membership Committee
Committee Chair: Dena Carrigan,
Chemung Canal Trust Co.
Board Liaison: Michele Ray, Visions FCU
The Membership Committee encourages participation from present members, recruits new members, promotes the Chamber to potential sponsors, and lends an open ear to member concerns and wishes.
Next Meeting: Thursday, Jan. 14 at 8:30 a.m. via ZOOM
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Chamber Networking Mixer goes virtual — join us this Wednesday!
Our first Zoom Mixer (happening the first Wednesday January through April) is 5 to 7 p.m. Wednessday, Jan. 6. Liz Salamendra from the Chamber will share a Q&A on Simpleview training plus enjoy social time with “What’s in Your Glass?" — encouraging attendees to have a beverage ( adult or otherwise), preferably from Schuyler County and/or WGACC Members. Join us!
Meeting ID: 853 3917 6221
Passcode: 584174
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Vote for your favorite display!
"Holiday Lights — Schuyler Style!"
Sponsored by
Visions Federal Credit Union
The community has been enjoying a newly created tradition this holiday season — “Holiday Lights — Schuyler Style!” — that has been illuminating the Watkins Glen area since mid December. The displays continue through Sunday, Jan. 17, with lights on from
5 to 11 p.m. each night. Sponsored by Visions Federal Credit Union, the event has been a source of holiday fun and joy, while at the same time also a festive and friendly contest.
Residents and visitors have been voting for their favorite residences and businesses, choosing from among the 17 decorated participating properties. There is an online ballot for easy voting at ExploreWatkinsGlen.com (under the “Things to Do” tab).
Vote for your favorite display in the categories of Residence or Business/Organization. Winners will earn cash prizes plus trophies and ribbons. Winners will be determined by the public, plus overall public-vote awards Best Holiday Lights Local Vote and Best Holiday Lights Visitor Vote (determined by zip codes).
“Holiday Lights — Schuyler Style!” is presented by the Watkins Glen Area Chamber of Commerce and Watkins Glen Promotions. The public can view the light displays as a drive-by in vehicles or a stroll-by on foot, using a downloadable map.
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Donations sought for auction
Ideal opportunity to promote your business and support fellow businesses
Donations are currently being sought for the
the Watkins Glen Area Chamber of Commerce's Winter Interlude Virtual Auction, taking place Jan. 23 through 30.
Since the annual Winter Gala has been postponed for COVID-safety reasons, a virtual auction has been organized to assist the Chamber in raising funds necessary to continue its mission of advancing the economic success of members and the community, through support, promotion, and education.
The Winter Interlude Auction will feature items donated by our members and partners — but please know we do understand times may be tough for your business.
For your donation, your business will be publicized in a variety of ways: on our Winter Interlude Auction webpage, on the online auction platform as a donor; in our printed monthly newsletter that is mailed to every member; and our weekly enews that is emailed every Monday.
If interested in donating an item, or supporting the auction in another way, please reach out to Liz Salamendra at liz@watkinsglenchamber.com
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We hope you enjoyed
"The Engager" print newsletter!
Take note, the deadline for advertising in the
travel guide is extended to Jan.15
In late December we sent each member our new printed monthly newsletter, “The Engager,” along with your holiday card/WGACC folder. Please note, we are hosting a contest to come up with a new name for the monthly print newsletter!
That mailing included Leadership Schuyler registration, the calendar of activities for January.
and information regarding advertising in the travel guide — for which the deadline has been extended to Jan. 15!
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Sponsor a 2021 event
The Chamber is currently recruiting sponsors for 2021 events that are in development. Opportunities include sponsoring a full event or portions of an event, such as a basket, hole, and/or board sponsorship for Cornhole, disc golf, and golf tournaments.
These opportunities put your name in front of our community and our visitors, as well as your fellow members (note: an excellent way to reach out to fellow members, especially if you are a service-oriented business. Please contact Michael Hardy, Executive Director, to learn more about sponsorship opportunities at michael@watkinsglenchamber.com.
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A major benefit of the new explorewatkinsglen.com website is that members have the option to be listed on multiple locations on the site with subcategories. Each member is assigned a category upon joining the Watkins Glen Area Chamber of Commerce, and like their amenities, have the ability to pick their subcategories. If you would like to change/update your subcategories, please make up to four selections of subcategories by downloading this document. You can submit the document with updates, including business name and contact information, via email, in person, or by mail.
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Next B2B Meet Up this Wednesday
The next Business to Business (“B2B”), scheduled for 2 to 3 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 6, will be facilitated by Liz Salamendra and focus on training related to the new WGACC website. She will help members update their web pages and listings and discuss amenities of the new WGACC Simpleview Extranet. (No additional software needs to be installed.)
Join Zoom Meeting:
Meeting ID: 815 3020 0081
Passcode: 538028
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Hints from Hardy
Business and hospitality hints from Michael Hardy,
Executive Director of the Watkins Glen
Area Chamber of Commerce
HINT 1
Stay connected and seek help
or navigating next round of PPP
There is more relief coming for many struggling businesses and there is help all around fro navigating the application process and seeing if you qualify. We are here at the Chamber to help, along with fellow Chamber members, such as banks, accounting and legal firms, and SCOPED. The Chamber is going to research and apply if possible and we are going to ask for help as we prepare to help ourselves and our members and the communities we all serve.
I am hopeful things will get easier in many respects in 2021. However, if we use what we learned in 2020 plus ask for help and offer assistance, we should be prepared to ride out the storms better — together. Be sure to stay connected with the Chamber and each other and use one another’s resources, knowledge, and experiences to move full speed into the new year, as best as we can.
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HINT 2
You 'Explore' so others can, too!
The Chamber’s website ExploreWatkinsGlen.com is only as good and useful as we all make it — to all of us and our guests, clients, customers, and visitors. Have you visited the new website to see your member page(s)? If not, we encourage you to do so ASAP, to see how you can expand and update your business or organization with the best images (one to three images or logos), and description (150 words), plus some keyword search words (10 to 12 words).
Perhaps during this “quieter time,” as we go into deep winter, we can make ExploreWatkinsGlen.com the best it can be. All you need to do is sign in as a member here: WGACC - Simpleview Extranet (simpleviewcrm.com). On Nov. 11 we sent you a username and password, but if you did not save them, just put in the email address WGACC has on record for you/your organization and follow the prompts for logging in. You may also download a training guide at the above link. Feel free to reach out to Katherine at Katherine@WatkinsGlenChamber.com or Liz at Liz@WatkinsGlenChamber.com for assistance with any of these steps.
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Bon voyage and thank you, Liz!
We extend sincere thanks to Liz Salamendra for her tireless efforts to plan and orchestrate WGACC events, before and during the pandemic, while also caring for our members.
We wish her well as she moves to Florida to realize a “snowbird’s existence” with half the year in Florida, with her partner Ryan and kitty Hilda, and the other half here in the Finger Lakes working in the winery and events business.
Liz's final day is Jan. 15 and she will be missed. She was dedicated to our members and their goals, helping to ensure they learned, networked, and socialized in all the best ways during informational, educational, and fun activities. The WGACC team and its members and partners wish her every success in what we know will be a happy and bright future!
Liz Salamendra in summer 2020, upon
graduating from Leadership Schuyler.
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Castel Grisch Winery presents Festival of Lights
Castel Grisch Winery lines the road with illuminated creations for their inaugural Festival of Lights. Daniel Lai, Castel Grisch owner, said the display includes more than 200 individual, LED-illuminated figures and also reflects his Chinese heritage.
The drive-thru display opened on Dec. 20 and continues through Jan. 31 every night from 5 to 9 p.m. Admission is $20 per vehicle, up to six passengers. Admission may be paid at the gate or tickets may be purchased online here.
Learn more about the festival through this article from The Star-Gazette
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Watkins Glen International invites artists to create poster
for 25th Anniversary Finger Lakes Wine Festival
As planning for the 25th annual Finger Lakes Wine Festival gets underway, Watkins Glen International has created an opportunity for fans to get involved with festival branding efforts.
Now through Jan. 31, WGI is accepting artwork entries that reflect wine and the Finger Lakes Region with a "throwback style" to represent the festival’s silver anniversary. One winner will be selected and his or her artwork will be featured on the official event poster and other promotional mediums.
“This is a great way to get everyone involved in helping us reflect on the rich history and celebrate 25 amazing years of the Finger Lakes Wine Festival and Finger Lakes Region,” said WGI President Michael Printup.
The contest is open to the public. Entries of hand-drawn or painted art are limited to one entry per person and must be digitally submitted through FLWineFest.com.The artwork will be judged by the Watkins Glen International staff the winning art piece will be announced in FebruaryjThe winner will receive a pair of Two-Day Taster’s Passes to the Finger Lakes Wine Festival and booth space during the event to showcase their art, greet fans, and sign posters. The last contest for festival artwork was five years ago for the 20th anniversary and was won by Canandaigua Meredith Mallwitz.
The Finger Lakes Wine Festival, which has been voted “Best Wine Festival” by readers of USA Today, is scheduled for July 9 to 11, 2021. The event showcases New York State wines, featuring 90 wineries paired with regional artisans, music, and seminars.
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Member News & Collaborations |
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Seneca-Keuka Watershed Newsletter
We are happy to share with WGACC members the December 2020 issue of the quarterly newsletter of the Seneca-Keuka Watershed Partnership , as we make a priority the quality of Seneca Lake’s water, and that of all the Finger Lakes.
This newsletter coincides with our work on the Seneca-Keuka Watershed Nine Element Plan and helps to keep watershed community members informed of the latest work being done to help protect our shared aquatic resources for generations to come. Click here read the newsletter
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Franklin Street Gallery debuts online store
The Arc of Chemung-Schuyler’s Franklin Street Gallery in Watkins Glen has announced a new online store, where you can browse through the work of regional artisans, with many pieces celebrating the beauty of Watkins Glen, Montour Falls, Schuyler County, and the Finger Lakes. The online store is not only convenient but also a safe, contactless way to shop.
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HR tips for bring political civility into the workplace
“We can all agree that 2020 has been an unforgettable year. With the 2020 presidential election coming to an end, it's also clear that we are politically divided as a nation. Political discussions tend to spill over into the workplace, which can have an impact on working relationships. On top of everything else that HR is already dealing with, many of us are being called on to help bring political civility back into the workplace. Click here to learn more
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BBB webinar guides you through loan forgiveness
Did your business receive a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and/or an Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) this past year? Do you understand what you need to do to get forgiveness on your PPP loan, or the dates for filing, or how to file?
Join the Better Business Bureau for a free webinar to get these questions answered and learn learn updates on legislative and regulatory requirements. Click here to learn more
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MMB shares tips with non-profits for managing functional expenses
As 2021 budgeting is underway, the CPAs at Mengel Metzner Barr suggest non-profit organizations give the functional expense statement a little TLC. To assist with review of programs, categories, and expenses, here are some tips:
- Review your programs and how these may be grouped together.
2. Do you have many natural categories of expenses on the statement?
3. Clarify expense allocations
4. How are costs allocated and reviewed for operational changes?
If you have questions on this topic or any other topics within the not-for-profit industry, please contact Stacie Muldoon at smuldoon@mmb-co.com.
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Watkins Glen Elks Club donates $5,500
to Schuyler Hospital and Schuyler Ambulance
Watkins Glen Elks Club donated $4,000 to the Schuyler Hospital and Cayuga Health (CH) and $1,500 to the Schuyler Volunteer Ambulance Association to ensure the purchase of additional PPE for frontline workers as the pandemic rages on. The donations stem from a grant initiated by Tom Phillips, retired Watkins Glen School District Superintendent and a new Schuyler Health Foundation Board Member.
“We are grateful for and humbled by this donation from the Watkins Glen Elks Club and for the continuous support of our community during this time, and always,” said Rebecca Gould, President & CFO of Schuyler Hospital. “Additional PPE for staff will be very beneficial as we continue to fight this pandemic to keep our community and residents safe.”
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Harbor Hotel offers
Winter Wine Weekdays packages
Enjoy cozy Winter Wine Weekdays in Finger Lakes Wine Country with a new package presented by Watkins Glen Harbor Hotel!
Now through April 2021, book a weekday stay and receive VIP Tasting Passes for two at 15 Seneca Lake Wine Trail wineries. Learn more here
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Clip and share the information below with your staff: |
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The Watkins Glen Area Chamber is staying as up-to-date on all pandemic response, preparedness and recover as possible and passing it on to you as soon as we know it so you can maximize any and all opportunities as will we. |
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'Masks Up' with Finger Lakes Wine Country
The Finger Lakes Wine Country community is masking up and inviting the community to join in, citing masking up as the best way to show support for one other and keep businesses open. There are so many reasons to wear a mask. Share your reason — along with a selfie of you proudly sporting a mask — and
Pictured at top are four Schuyler County mask mavericks: Michael from Watkins Glen International; Amanda from Harbor Hotel; Judy from SCOPED; and Tim from the County offices. WGACC thanks our partners for helping convey the importance of mask-wearing for our neighbors and visitors alike.
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Area businesses share substance-abuse prevention messages on pizza boxes
The Schuyler County Coalition on Underage Drinking and Drugs (SCCUDD) held an event on Dec. 19th called “Pizza Box Sticker Shock.” The project consisted of youth designed substance-abuse prevention stickers being placed on pizza boxes in local restaurants and convenient stores.
The message on the sticker read, “Thank you for keeping our youth alcohol free.” A simple and timely message for the holiday season. Businesses that partnered with SCCUDD in making the project a success included Linda’s Citco, McGillucuddy’s Bar & Grill, and Jerlando’s Pizza in Montour Falls, the Dandy Mini Mart in Odessa, and Jerlando’s Ristorante & Pizza Co., Scuteri’s Connoli Connection, Landon’s Pub & Pizza, and Pudgies Pizza in Watkins Glen.
“There will be 1,000 pizza boxes going out into the community, thanking people for not serving minors alcohol,” said SCCUDD Project Coordinator Ward Brower, “Once again, our community businesses have stepped up in partnering with us.”
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Governor Cuomo COVID-19 Updates
From Gov. Cuomo states: "As we move into this New Year, one of our most pressing challenges, along with maintaining our diligence in stopping the spread of the virus, will be to ensure that the vaccine is made available fairly," Governor Cuomo said. "COVID has exposed many of the existing injustices in our society, most notably that racism is, without a doubt, a public health crisis. Case and point - data has continued to show that despite higher infection and death rates in the Black and Latino communities, testing has remained more widely available in white communities. I refuse to let race or income determine who lives and who dies in New York and I mean it. That's why as we work to break down barriers and ensure vaccine access for all, I will not take the vaccine until it is available for my age group in Black, Hispanic, and poor communities around the state." Click here to learn more
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Coronavirus Relief Package includes key workplace provisions
A bill has been signed to fund the government and provide economic relief in response to the pandemic, including an expansion of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act's Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). The package also extends the refundable employer payroll tax credit for paid sick and family leave through March 2021, although the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) paid sick and family leave obligations, which are due to expire at the end of this year, were not extended. Click here to read SHRM article
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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.
CONNECT WITH THE CHAMBER TEAM
Office Phone: (607) 535-4300
Liz Salamendra, Events & Member/Partner Engagment Manager email
Katherine Jack, Visitor Center and Office Administrator email
Michael Hardy, Executive Director email (585) 721-6032 (cell)
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