The Chamber hosted its annual meeting on February 2, and the turnout from our membership for this event was absolutely overwhelming. The room was at capacity with business, governmental, and philanthropic leaders from across Western New York as we swore in our new officers, rolled out our Economic Development / Public Policy agenda, and heard from Supervisor Brian Kulpa about his plans for the coming year. The Chamber remains engaged on all fronts with the business community, providing a multitude of services from professional development, networking, social media and brand development, advocacy, and employee benefits. To view the photos from the event, see here.

As the Chamber continues its march through 2024, we do so with Peter Petrella as our new Chairman. Pete has been actively involved in the Chamber for many years, most recently serving on our Executive Committee. As managing director at Talent Rise, an Aleron company, Pete has brought a unique perspective to our board, given his responsibilities outside Western New York in cities such as Chicago, Austin TX, Toronto, and Canada. I know the board is excited about the year ahead, and we appreciate Pete's willingness to serve as Chair.

I want to thank our outgoing Chairman, Mark Gaulin (PCI). Mark has been a tremendous advocate for the Chamber, and his leadership over the past three years has helped us navigate our way through the COVID-19 pandemic, increased our member participation, and helped lead the charge in updating our strategic plan. Mark will remain involved with our Chamber, and I appreciate his service to our board.

During the Annual Meeting, we unveiled our Public Policy agenda, which was developed by our Economic Development / Public Policy Council. The Council, led by Earl Wells from e3communications and Michael Pietkiewicz from Wendel, comprises a diverse group of leaders from various industries and backgrounds. We listen to our members about the critical issues and work throughout the year to address them. If you are not on the Council, we still encourage any member, regardless of the size of your issue, to contact us to see if we can offer a possible solution. We do our best to reach out to our membership to ensure it reflects your concerns.

We thank Supervisor Kulpa for presenting his State of the Town address to our members. Our membership spans over 75 zip codes throughout the Western New York region, and they remain interested in hearing about the plans for the Town of Amherst and how the town plays a role in the economic growth of our area... READ MORE.

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Independent Health is proud to team up with a variety of community partners to offer programs and activities that are helping Western New Yorkers take charge of their health and remain active this winter, including:

·       Lace up your skates for curling and ice skating on the Independent Health Ice Rinks at Buffalo RiverWorks. Discounts on skate rentals are available to Independent Health members. In addition, make sure you save the date for “Winter Recess at RiverWorks.” From February 19-22, you will be able to enjoy free ice skating and roller skating as well as other family-friendly activities and free giveaways (while supplies last).

·       The Tifft Nature Preserve hosts “Wellness Walks presented by Independent Health” every Thursday morning. It’s a great way to way to enjoy the sights and sounds of nature while also getting your steps in. All ages are encouraged to attend these free weekly walks, which are guided by a knowledgeable volunteer. Plus, participants receive a free giveaway (while supplies last), courtesy of Independent Health. Please call (716) 825-6397 for times and to confirm that the walk will take place.

·       You can also take a crisp walk or run along the Independent Health Wellness Trail at Outer Harbor Buffalo. This 3-mile trail begins at Wilkeson Pointe and stretches just past Bell Slip. Independent Health is proud to be the official health and wellness partner of Outer Harbor Buffalo.

·       If you prefer the warmth and comfort of the indoors, you can head to the Buffalo Museum of Science and check out Explore YOU presented by Independent Health. This Health Sciences-themed studio offers visitors a hands-on experience to explore all there is to know about the human body, ways to stay healthy and advances in life-changing medical technology.

Learn more about all the community-wide programs and activities Independent Health is offering this winter and throughout the year by visiting our website.