March 29, 2021
News, Happenings & Collaborations
Included in this Issue ...
  • Spring Pop-Up Farmers Market on April 1
  • Virtual Mixer April 7 celebrates WGI
  • Spring Wine & Cheese event returns

  • Farm-to-Table Chef Competition
  • Hints from Hardy: What we have learned
  • Celebrating women of Schuyler County
Visit Watkins Glen
& Schuyler County
Watkins Glen
Area Chamber
News
Mark your calendar:
Chamber's Virtual Mixer on April 7 focuses on WGI

It’s a GO for Summer 2021! Mark your calendar for the Chamber's Virtual Mixer on Wednesday, April 7 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., with a spotlight on Watkins Glen International.
Our happy-hour meeting will get even happier next week as we host a virtual "pep rally" to cheer on WGI's Opening Weekend and highlights of races and events coming this summer to our community.

Participants will get in-the-moment updates and learn of a special promotion from WGI. To register email the Chamber at info@watkinsglenchamber.com. We'll send registrants a Zoom link and "pep rally" must-haves. The mixer also will be shared via Facebook Live for community members (but we encourage members to register for the Zoom). After a year away from the track, we are all more than ready to start our engines!
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! 
Spring has sprung in Watkins Glen

The Chamber wishes you a Happy Easter and Passover and invites you and your family to enjoy the Watkins Glen area for outdoor adventures this spring — enjoying the natural beauty and businesses in our backyard.
Keep an eye out for the
April issue of "The Engager"

The Chamber's print monthly newsletter, "The Engager," will hit your mailbox later this week. Member readers have shared that they are enjoying being informed via print vs. being plugged in, as they learn all they can regarding being engaged with the Chamber and one another. And ... this just in: the name will remain "The Engager," as the largest number of name suggestions was to keep the original name.
Spark Leadership Summit postponed until October

The Spark Leadership Summit is officially postponed until fall, now taking place on Oct. 27. This summit offers a fresh take on leadership and management development to bright, dynamic professionals from all industries across New York State and beyond. Activities include a national keynote speaker, eight break-out sessions, a final general session, and the opportunity to network with attendees. Keep an eye on ExploreWatkinsGlen.com for registration information.
Join us April 13
for "Talking Tuesdays"
Chat with Executive Director Michael Hardy about the pressing issues for tourism-based businesses. The next "Talking Tuesdays" will be 10 to 11 a.m. Tuesday, April 13. 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
The next Simpleview training is Tuesday, April 20

Mark your calendar for this month’s Simpleview training from 10 to 11 a.m. Tuesday, April 20. The web is your best marketing tool and the Chamber’s new website (explorewatkinsglen.com) offers many benefits for members. This month’s training will help you make the most of these benefits. Discover all of your options to connect with potential customers and ask questions during this live training.
 
One of the benefits is the ability to list your business in up to four sub-categories. Each member is assigned a category upon joining the Watkins Glen Area Chamber of Commerce. Members are able to choose descriptive sub-categories. Please make up to four selections of sub-categories by downloading this document. You can submit the document with updates, including business name and contact information, via email, in person, or by mail. If you don’t find what you’re looking for, please let us know!
 
Zoom link for the April 20 training:
Meeting ID: 845 7188 3465
Passcode: 505818
Next B2B Meet Up
is Wednesday, April 21
The next Business to Business (“B2B”) will be Wednesday, April 21 from 2 to 3 p.m. via Zoom. Attendees will have the opportunity to share updates regarding their business/organization during our "Around the Screen" portion of the program. The "B2B Meet Up" is a monthly networking and business exchange program. The guest speaker will be Angela LaVecchia, who will be discussing franchising and small business. RSVPs are required. Please RSVP at info@watkinsglenchamber.com.
 
Meeting ID: 815 3020 0081
Passcode: 538028
Chamber shares tips — for you to share with visitors —
for enjoying a memorable Finger Lakes tasting experience
3 steps to a memorable tasting experience
 
We want our visitors to have the best possible Finger Lakes tasting experience. Just three steps will ensure an experience that they will remember positively (and want to share!) with family and friends. We are posting this information to the Watkins Glen Chamber’s website & tourism-related social media channels. Please feel free to share this with your front line and guests, too.
 
1. Check the Seneca Lake Wine Trail website for updates (senecalakewine.com/)

2. Always call ahead.
  • Do you need a reservation?
  • What are the ideal times to maximize your experience?
  • Does the winery/brewery/distillery accommodate walk-ins?
  • What is the ideal party size? (Please know, most locations cannot
accommodate large groups at this time.)
  • How long should you plan for the typical experience?

3. Make a plan to taste responsibly. Hire one of the region’s local transportation companies or designate a driver to take you from tasting room to tasting room.
 
We look forward to helping you welcome
your guests to the Finger Lakes!
Hints from Hardy

Business and hospitality hints
from Michael Hardy


Stay Informed: Look back to move forward
 
I was so impressed by the wrap-up of one of Connect Travel’s webinars, I am sharing it here in this week's e-newsletter in place of my "Hints." Thank you, Connect Travel! If you want to learn more about Connect Travel, call Shari or Betsy and please give them a Hardy Hello from me (their contact info is at the end).

Our One-Year Anniversary of Staying Connected
  • This session marked the one-year anniversary of Connect Travel’s “Staying Connected” series of virtual roundtables, prompting one panelist to note that it was “the most difficult year in the history of the travel and tourism industry … nobody expected that we would be doing this every week, for a year.”
 
  • Brought about largely as a consequence of the COVID-19 virus and a global pandemic that brought a de facto end of traveling to live, person-to-person meetings and conferences, travel marketers have developed new tools to cope with the distance between travel buyers and suppliers, from the omnipresent Zoom meetings to “from-the-home” podcasts. One tour operator said that his series of a dozen podcasts proved to be such a successful tool that clients have become accustomed to it and want to see more.
 
  • People will always use Zoom (and related tools) even after the borders are open and people return to traveling. However, they will be more aware of the protocols and safety and security practices that tour operators have already had in place, such as cancellation insurances and other protections.
 
  • The past year also resulted in greater collaboration and partnering among many different entities — even among tourism business competitors — in a way that is likely to continue into the future. Such collaboration has also been a way of operating for many industry organizations and associations such as NTA, ABA, SYTA, and others.
 
  • The regard for the travel and tourism industry will never be the same, as the pandemic brought attention to the vast number of jobs supported by the industry. Government officials throughout the world, especially in Europe and the U.S., appropriated sums of aid that went directly to tourism-related businesses as never before.
 
  • The inherent value of tourism will become even more apparent once it begins to recover from the damage of the past year. For consumers, the higher value will probably mean that travelers will pay more for traveler experiences.
 
  • The painful impact of coping with the COVID-19 virus and the pandemic shows itself in the fact that travelers are more open to lesser-known destinations and national and state parks. And, in general, they will be looking for new products and experiences.
 
  • Will the industry be ready for the recovery? It will take some time for airlines to establish and re-establish routes. Hotels face a challenge to find and place enough employees in jobs that have been vacant for some time. One panelist pointed out that 53 percent of all unemployed workers were/are in the travel and tourism industry.
 
  • While Zoom has found its place in the industry, those in the travel and tourism industry still yearn for live, in-person meetings. There is confidence that IPW 2021 September 18-22 in Las Vegas, the first “big” industry show since the beginning of the pandemic, will attract a full house.
 
  • Words of encouragement: “There is light at the end of the tunnel. It’s coming. The recovery will be hard and fast when it comes. We’ve made it this far; we just have a few more months to go. We just need to stay the course. (The industry) will come back stronger and more passionate about what they do."
 
Contact Shari or Betsy with any questions:
Shari Bailey, Vice President, Connect Travel: sbailey@connecttravel.com 

Betsy Cooper, Director of TourOperatorLand.com
and Partner Engagement, Connect Travel: bcooper@connecttravel.com

Happenings
Spring Pop-Up Farmers Market this week!

Thursday, April 1 at WG Performing Arts Center

Come and experience the bounty of our region at the Harvest Schuyler's Spring Pop-Up Farmer’s Market — Greens, Eggs, and Hams! Local producers will be selling meats, greens, preserves, cheeses, and other tasty treats from 3 to 7 p.m. Thursday, April 1. Stock up for spring holidays or try some new products.

The spacious setting will allow you to safely browse among the booths at the Watkins Glen Performing Arts Center (formerly the Watkins Glen Middle School auditorium and gym) at 906 Decatur Street, Watkins Glen.

If you are a vendor and would like to be a part of the market, please contact Roger Ort at rlo28@cornell.edu or (607) 535-7161.
Spring Wine and Cheese returns
to Seneca Lake Wine Trail April 16

The Seneca Lake Wine Trail is hosting Spring Wine and Cheese on Friday, April 16. This self-guided tour will take attendees to six participating wineries, with each featuring a wine of their choice paired with a delicious, cheese-themed dish for event attendees to enjoy.
 
The dishes will be served with carefully selected wines, to showcase both the wine and the food and foster learning about the art of pairing wine and food. The knowledgeable servers that staff member tasting rooms are eager to share their knowledge and to make wine approachable and fun.
 
"This event will look and feel quite different than our 'usual' wine trail events, but we promise that the core hasn’t changed — fantastic wine and delicious food in a friendly, low-key setting," said Brittany Gibson, executive director of Seneca Lake Wine Trail. "Our wineries have really gone the extra mile to be able to host an event of any kind and we hope visitors will make a weekend of it. Spend the day at the event wineries on Friday and use the rest of the weekend to visit the many other wineries along the trail."
 
As has been the case since reopening last June, Seneca Lake Wine Trail member wineries remain safe, compliant, and open for business. The wineries comply with all protective measures related to COVID-19. Please respect their efforts and do the same, including wearing a mask and practicing social distancing.
 
Tickets to Spring Wine and Cheese are $160 and sold as tables of four. Due to capacity restrictions, there are a limited number of tickets available. Tickets are on sale now at www.senecalakewine.com.
Member News & Collaborations
Celebrating women of Schuyler County
as we mark Women's History Month

The Schuyler County Historical Society has been recognizing women of note on its Facebook page during the month of March, which is Women’s History Month. 

The prominent females of our history that were featured are Jane A. Delano, founder of the American Red Cross Nursing Service; Edwina Mack Ellison, a leading attorney in the community; and Queen Catharine Montour. 

Delano of Schuyler County is credited with the success of the Red Cross Nursing Service.
She raised the professional standards of nurses and was known as a revolutionary in the health care field. She died in France after World War I and is buried in Arlington Cemetery. 

Ellison practiced law in Schuyler County for 40 years, breaking barriers while championing women’s causes. She was the first female county government attorney in New York state and the first woman president of the Schuyler County Bar Association.

Catharine Montour, also known as Queen Catharine, was a prominent Iroquois leader who lived in the Seneca village of Sheaquaga, informally called Catharine’s Town and today named Montour Falls in her honor. She was revered for her bravery, intelligence, and strategic leadership.

Learn more about these women, and our region’s rich history, at https://www.facebook.com/schuylerhistory
Thank you, Senator Schumer, for your support
of the travel and tourism industry
Senator Chuck Schumer led the charge to get two major tourism wins into the COVID package that the Senate passed on March 6. That relief legislation went on to pass the House and be signed into law by the President the following week.

Here are the details:
Win #1: $3 Billion for Economic Development Administration to provide flexible investment for rebuilding local economies and hard-hit industries, including tourism and travel. Senator Schumer successfully increased the set-aside of funds for states and communities impacted by job and GDP losses in tourism, travel, and outdoor recreation to $750 million, up from the $450 million initially passed by the House.

Win #2: $360 Billion for State and Local Fiscal Aid. The bill includes critical direct aid to state and local governments. Senator Schumer was successful in adding language specifically indicating that tourism, travel and hospitality industries should receive support. Funds can be used for local economic recovery purposes, including assistance to households, small businesses and nonprofits, assistance to hard-hit industries like tourism, travel, and hospitality, and infrastructure investment.
The tourism industry should acknowledge Senator Schumer's advocacy on our behalf. You can personally send him a note using the NYSTIA Advocacy Alert platform. It takes only a few minutes to do so, and we want the senator to know his efforts are appreciated now and in the future. 
 
Please consider sharing this call to action with friends, colleagues, partners, and staff and encouraging them to send a thank you as well.
Harvest Schuyler Farm-to-Table Chef Competition
cooks up the best from our farms
Some of the region’s top chefs are competing to make the most delicious and memorable dishes using farm goods produced in Schuyler County.
 
The first-ever Harvest Schuyler Farm-to-Table Chef Competition is being held virtually today through April 4, with the chefs documenting their progress on the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Schuyler County Facebook page and website (www.cceschuyler.org). Look for the “Harvest Schuyler Farm-to-Table Chef Competition” event.
 
Each chef has been given a box of locally produced items, from which to create a dish using all ingredients. The items include meat, dairy, vegetables, fruit, something sweet (maple, honey or preserves) and a liquid fruit-based condiment (such as wine, juice, or shrub).
 
"We wanted to draw attention to the great variety and quality of farm products in Schuyler County," said Roger Ort, CCE Schuyler's agriculture educator.
 
Your votes will help determine the outcome and which chefs win the prizes: most creative, dish voters would most like to try, and best presentation. Posters are on display at The WGACC Visitor Center through April 1, at which time they will move to Spring Pop-Up Farmers Market at the Performing Arts Center (PAC) for more public voting. Votes can be cast via smartphone, as you discover the chef’s secret recipe posted online and cast your ballot. 
 
Chefs competing in this event are Elin Dowd from Idlwilde Inn, Hilary Niver-Johnson from Finger Lakes Wine Flour, Lisa Shrout from Hidden Valley 4-H camp, Nicholas Thayer from Nickel’s Pit BBQ, and Samira Baida from Ryan William Vineyard.
 
The mission of Harvest Schuyler — a cooperative effort among CCE Schuyler, Watkins Glen Area Chamber of Commerce and the Schuyler County Farm Bureau — is to connect chefs, farmers, producers and consumers in Schuyler County.
Sidle offers free
Small Business
Insurance Guide

Sidle has created a free Small Business Insurance Guide series on our website. This guide is designed to help small business owners make informed decisions regarding the insurance their business needs. Visit www.SidleInsurance.com/blog/ to read the free guide.
J.R Dill Winery releases new wines

J.R. Dill Winery has been busy this winter, working to replenish their wine stock while also adding some new wines to their line up. Their yearly bottling run kicked off with the 2020 line of dry whites that includes Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, and their very first vintage of Grüner Veltliner. That run was followed by a bottling day focused on some of their 2019 dry reds and added two new wines to the lineup: Pinot Noir and Syrah. Stop in the tasting room any weekend to have a taste of some of these amazing new additions.
Visit their website: https://jrdillwinery.com/
HeatSmart program assists businesses with energy efficiency

Have you been thinking about adding energy efficient operations to your home or small business? HeatSmart FLX South is a CCE of Schuyler County program and can help residents and small commercial businesses and non-profits weatherize and and adopt heat pumps for heating and cooling needs. Read more here: HeatSmart FLX South
Better Business Bureau offers
free webinars focused on websites,
Google, and cybersecurity

As a member of the Watkins Glen Area Chamber of Commerce, you are able to benefit from offerings of the Better Business Bureau, including three free upcoming webinars:

Make Your Website Work for You
Tuesday, March 30
1:30 to 2:30 p.m.

Reach Customers Online with Google 
Wednesday, April 21
1 to 2 p.m.

Cybersecurity During Challenging Times
Thursday, April 22
10 to 11:30 a.m.

For more information please contact Melanie McGovern
at (716) 276-3738 or mmcgovern@upstatenybbb.org.
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.
Visit Rochester's Visitor Industry Council learns
84 percent of travelers plans to travel in coming months
The virtual March meeting of Visit Rochester's Visitor Industry Council featured an informative and research-rich presentation by Amir Eylon, president and CEO of Longwoods International. The presentation gave attendees a guide on how to use travel sentiment for recovery planning, including the fact that 84 percent of travelers have plans to travel in the next six months. You may view the presentation slides here and below are some recent survey responses. Watkins Glen Area Chamber of Commerce is a member of Visitor Rochester.
THIS SPACE RESERVED FOR LODGING MEMBERS
Any and all lodging members are welcome to share their winter specials
with the Chamber, to help spread the word here in our e-news
and on our social media platforms and website. Shoot us a note, please.
Government News
Guidance available for indoor amusement facilities
and family entertainment centers

Indoor amusement facilities and family entertainment centers were allowed to reopen on March 26. Businesses must submit a reopening plan to the respective county health department or local public health authority, within two weeks of reopening, including specific health protocols in place to meet the requirements set forth in this guidance. 

This guidance is posted to the New York Forward Phase 4 webpage.
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
Arnot Health hosts Vaccine Clinic in Bath tomorrow
Arnot Health will be hosting a 1st dose Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine clinic in Ira Davenport Memorial Hospital in Bath for all those eligible (per NYSDOH guidelines), from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday, March 30. Click the following link to register: https://www.arnothealth.org/vaccine-info-individuals.

Receiving paid-time off
to get your COVID-19 vaccination

Gov. Cuomo has signed legislation granting employees time off to get the COVID-19 vaccine. Under this new law, public and private employees will be granted up to four hours of excused leave per shot that will not be charged against any other leave the employee has earned or accrued. This legislation is in effect now. Click here to learn more

The "Am I Eligible" screening tool has been updated for individuals with co-morbidities and underlying conditions with new appointments released on a rolling basis over the next weeks.
Shuttered Venue Operators launches grant application

The U.S. Small Business Administration is launching a splash page for the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG) application portal in anticipation of opening applications for the much-anticipated critical economic relief program on Thursday, April 8.
New York Tax Deadline Extended

The Department of Tax and Finance will be extending the New York State income tax deadline to May 17. This aligns with the federal decision to do the same and provides New Yorkers still coping with the complications of the COVID-19 pandemic ample time to file. 

NY Forward Rapid Testing Program
The State has launched the New York Forward Rapid Test Program. This is a unique public-private partnership to make low-cost rapid testing available to the public to support enhanced economic activity, including weddings, catered events, and arts and entertainment venues. Visit NY.gov/RapidTestProgram to learn more about this initiative and find sites in your area – new locations are being continuously added ​statewide.
Interim COVID-19 guidance for food services
The "Interim Guidance for Food Services" during the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency was created to provide owners/operators of food service businesses and their employees and contractors with precautions to help protect against the spread of COVID-19.
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

Gov. 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
Schuyler County expands vaccine eligibility
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
at Michael@WatkinsGlenChamber.com by noon on Thursdays.

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)