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STEM Wars: Bringing students and businesses together

By TODD J. TRANUM

President and CEO of the Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce & Executive Director of the Manufacturers Association of the Southern Tier

STEM Wars 2017 will be held on March 15 at the Jamestown Community College Physical Education Complex in Jamestown.

This event has grown dramatically since it began four years ago. STEM Wars brings area middle and high school students together for a fun and educational event featuring a technology fair, a local manufacturing career fair, on-site team building and leadership skills competitions.

Last year, approximately 700 students and 35 businesses took part.

STEM Wars is hosted by JCC and run by Dream It Do It WNY, NYSTEEA, the Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce, the Manufacturers Association of the Southern Tier and the Chautauqua County Education Coalition. Additional sponsors include Pathways in Technology Early College High School (P-TECH), the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation and Cummins Jamestown Engine Plant.

Because of the enormous growth of this event and the quantity of students we are working to serve, businesses are being asked to help sponsor it this year. Sponsorship packages begin at $75 for your business name and logo on the event T-shirt; a Bronze Package at $100 for a display table at the event; and a Gold package for $200 for the display table and T-shirt recognition. One sponsor only will be eligible for the $400 Elite Package, which includes the T-shirt, display table and an exclusive sponsorship of the live Facebook broadcast by WNY News Now, which will include live interviews during the event. Video content will be shared on a variety of Facebook pages. Non-profit organizations can have a display table at no cost.

STEM Wars runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on March 15 for school students. In addition, the general public is invited to bring resumes and speak with employers during a job fair which will run from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.

If your manufacturing or other business is interested in participating or would like more information, contact DIDI Coordinator Jehuu Caulcrick by email at jcaulcrick@didiwny.com or by phone at 484-1101.

CHAMBER LAUNCHES 8@8

The Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce has launched a new outreach program for meeting with members called 8@8.

Our goal is to spend an hour with eight small business members each month in both Dunkirk and Jamestown to better understand their needs, what service gaps may exist, and to communicate our programming and value proposition one-on-one.

These regular meetings with Chamber President and CEO Todd Tranum are a supplement to our regular discussions and meetings with members. The main objective is to get feedback from our small member businesses to learn how we can better serve them.

If you are a Chamber member and are interested in participating in one of our 8@8 business events, please call the Chamber at 366-6200 or 484-1101.

CHAMBER

CONGRESSIONAL LUNCH MARCH 3

The Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce will once again provide an opportunity for area business people to meet with our Congressman. 

Rep. Tom Reed will participate in the annual Chamber Federal Congressional Luncheon at Webb’s Captain’s Table Restaurant in Mayville at noon, Friday, March 3. We encourage our Chamber members to come with questions for the congressman.

The cost of the luncheon is $20 for Chamber members or $30 for non-members.

This event is sponsored by Advanced Manufacturing Technology, Blackstone Advanced Technologies, Fredonia College Foundation, Jamestown Mattress, Nestle Purina PetCare, OBSERVER, The Post-Journal and UPMC Chautauqua WCA.

To make reservations, call the Chamber at 366-6200 or 484-1101 or find our event online at www.chautauquachamber.org/events.

JAMESTOWN CHAMBER SALUTE TO THE FINEST

The annual Jamestown Community Chamber of Commerce Salute to the Finest awards celebration will be held Wednesday, March 15, at Moon Brook Country Club.

This year’s awards are being presented to a number of Jamestown area businesses and organizations who have made a difference in their fields. Award winners are: New Business of the Year — Enchanted Mountain Spirits; Young Business Leaders of the Year — Jeffrey & Alexandria James and Frank Besse, the proprietors of Brazil and Labyrinth; Retailer of the Year — Farm Fresh Foods; Restaurant of the Year — Landmark Restaurant; Jamestown Economic Development Award — Borsari Food Co.; Business of the Year — Jamestown Awning Inc.; and Pride of Jamestown — Jamestown Community College.

The celebration will begin with a cocktail hour at 5 p.m., followed by a dinner at 6 and the awards presentations. The cost is $30 per person and advance registration is required by March 8.

You may register online by visiting www.chautauquachamber.org/events or by calling 484-1101.

FREDONIA

CHAMBER AWARD

BANQUET

The Fredonia Community Chamber of Commerce will hold its Annual Election and Awards Banquet on Thursday, March 23, at Shorewood Country Club, West Lake Road, Dunkirk.

Receiving awards this year are: Business of the Year, Fred’s; Retailer of the Year, Pucci’s Carpet One, Furniture & Bedding; Community Service Award, Daniel Reininga, CEO of Lake Shore Savings Bank; Service to Humanity Award, the Rev. Dr. Cynthia Wickwire Lundquist of the Fredonia Presbyterian Church; and Spirit of Fredonia Award, Larry Fiorella of HBKS Wealth Advisors.

The cocktail hour will begin at 5:30, with dinner served at 6:30. The cost is $30 per dinner.

You may register online by visiting www.chautauquachamber.org/events, or can call Fredonia Chamber Coordinator Heidi Seddon at 679-1565.

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