Jamestown will play host this fall to a conference that has the potential to draw people from all over the country, and possibly the world. The Retool WNY: Climate Technology Manufacturing Conference is set for October 17-19 at Northwest Arena, with a broad variety of other local venues and businesses to play supporting roles throughout the event.

This conference is open to manufacturers, entrepreneurs, educators, investors, and public and private sector leaders to have an interest in climate technology manufacturing. It is part of a major economic development initiative – Retool WNY – supported by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority through a multi-year grant to the Jamestown Board of Public Utilities. To learn more about the conference or to register, visit their website at www.jamestownbpu.com/350/Business-Development.

This conference may be very helpful for local manufacturers or investors looking to revamp their systems with an eye towards the future. At the same time, it is an opportunity to show off the extraordinary resources and fabulous local businesses that create our vibrant community. Special conference networking events will be held at the Chautauqua Harbor Hotel, the Robert H. Jackson Center, and the Roger Tory Peterson Institute. A keynote dinner will be held at the National Comedy Center. There are also opportunities built into the conference schedule for participants to explore local restaurants and shops.

A recent study by Meeting Professionals International for the Gebbie Foundation which included a site visit, identified the greater Jamestown area as a terrific location to host mid-size conferences now, with opportunities to grow and excel in this arm of the hospitality industry.

Granted, not every community has the capacity to host 200 people at a conference such as this. Here in Chautauqua County, we are fortunate to have multiple venues that can accommodate major multi-day events such as this one: in Jamestown as well as Chautauqua, Dunkirk, Fredonia, and Mayville. In fact, the Chautauqua County Visitors Bureau in the past has played a key role in assisting groups such as national fishing tournaments and a travel writers conference to hold events in Chautauqua County.

For local businesses, this upcoming event will be yet another opportunity to shine with displays of exceptional merchandise, great food, and outstanding customer service. If you feel your business or organization needs any assistance to gear up for this event, please reach out to the Chamber of Commerce and we will be happy to help.

As for the longer-term impact of the conference, BPU General Manager David Leathers noted that the information shared here will “spur new opportunities for our regional manufacturers and hopefully create interest from out-of-state businesses to form new partnerships here.” When we reach out to invite a variety of enterprises into our community, the results are often a broader, stronger, business base that boosts our regional economy, and that is always a good thing.

Westfield Celebrates First Fridays!

The Westfield-Barcelona Community Chamber of Commerce Committee is pleased to be presenting First Fridays again this season. First Friday creates a street fair environment along Main Street in Westfield. It is held the First Friday of each month from 5-8pm, with the next event coming up Friday, July 1, sponsored by Westfield Nursery and Garden Center.

Additional First Friday dates are August 5, September 2, and October 7 (weather permitting) this year. Similar events will be held the second Fridays in July for the annual Westfield Reunion Weekend, and in September for the upcoming Lincoln Festival.

If your Westfield-area business wants to participate in First Fridays contact Anna Kelley, Westfield-Barcelona Community Chamber Coordinator, at akelley@chqchamber.org

Tuesday Talks: Get Your Business Noticed

The Chamber of Commerce is continuing its series of Tuesday Talks based on marketing avenues for small businesses. Coming up in July we will focus on how to get your business noticed through the use of local media as well as some other pointers. This session may be valuable for all types of businesses, whether you’re in a retail or a service setting.

We hope you will join us online at 8:30am, Tuesday, July 19 for this informative panel discussion. Our panelists will include Andrew Hill from Media One Radio Group and Meredith Patton from the OBSERVER in Dunkirk. Register now through our online calendar at www.chautauquachamber.org. This event is sponsored by LaBella Associates, OBSERVER, The Post-Journal, and the Small Business Development Center at JCC.

Tuesday Talks provide a convenient online forum for learning in a casual, panel discussion format. They are held via Zoom so attendees from all over the county can log on, learn something helpful, and then get back to their busy day. We hope you can join us.

Sign Up for the 30th Annual Silver Creek Yard Sales

Registration is open now for the popular Silver Creek Yard Sales, scheduled for August 8. Homeowners that want to get listed on the map for this event can submit their registrations online through the Chamber’s web calendar at www.chautauquachamber.org or can register in person at either of two Silver Creek businesses: Den’s Antiques, 8 Main Street, or at Silver Creek Optical, 41 Main Street. The cost to register is $10 per sale. Sales must be registered by August 1st in order to get on the map.

Yard sale maps will be sold in the village park in Silver Creek the morning of the sale day. Proceeds from the yard sale events help support scholarships from the Hanover Community Chamber of Commerce to graduating high school seniors at Forestville and Silver Creek High Schools.