The Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce puts together a broad variety of events throughout the year each designed for different purposes. While they are all opportunities to bring businesspeople together, one stands out as a true feel-good program. The Chamber’s Annual Awards Banquet was held Thursday night at the Williams Center at SUNY Fredonia with over 220 people in the room. This was a welcome site, marking the full return of a highly anticipated event which was held with some restrictions last fall. The Annual Awards Banquet is always heartwarming as we spend an evening paying tribute to many individuals and organizations that help to make Chautauqua County a great place to live, play, and do business.

With an enormous cheering section of staff, board, and community members on hand, Steven Cobb humbly accepted the Chamber’s Person of the Year Award. The Executive Director of the Mental Health Association in Chautauqua County, he has been instrumental in pulling together a broad variety of people from all walks of life to allow those with behavioral health and substance abuse issues to recover, grow, and flourish in our community. He has expanded service to allow the organization to function countywide.

The Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce proudly presented its Economic Development Award to the Small Business Development Center at JCC. With a very small staff, the SBDC has taken on more work than ever since the pandemic, helping local small businesses receive over $33.5 million in federal and state COVID relief funds, helping them to create and retain more than 2,400 jobs.

Each of our six Community Chambers of Commerce recognizes a local person with a Community Service Award. The Dunkirk Community Service Award was presented to Dan Palmer who is celebrating 49 years on local radio and is the long-time morning host on WDOE as well as a sports play-by-play announcer. Ian and Kyle Muldowney of Muldowney Brothers Lawn Care are twin brothers who were honored with the Fredonia Community Service Award for a focus on reinvesting in their community. The Hanover Community Chamber selected Bill Merritt of Merritt Estate Winery for his long career in winemaking and for his service to several organizations including the original Chautauqua County Wine Trail, Farm Bureau, Scouts, Red Cross, and United Way. Tom Benson was presented the award from the Jamestown Community Chamber of Commerce for his outstanding influence and dedication to revitalizing downtown Jamestown through the National Comedy Center, and now his commitment to the new Jamestown YMCA. The Mayville-Chautauqua Community Chamber honored Fairlee Fischer for 27 years of commitment to the Thrift Shop in Mayville, and outreach from St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, as well as her work with the Canine Rescue in Westfield and the Village of Mayville Planning Board. Sue Poster was presented the award for the Westfield-Barcelona Community Chamber for her efforts surrounding many projects including Lake Shore Center for the Arts, First Responders Tribute, Village Beautification Committee, Lincoln Festival, Farmers Market, Cemetery Tours, and more.

Sincere thanks to our sponsors: Brooks-TLC Hospital System, Community Bank, County of Chautauqua Industrial Development Agency, Forecon, Jamestown Community College, LaBella, Lake Shore Savings, Media One Radio Group, OBSERVER, The Post-Journal, and the Small Business Development Center. Please join us in congratulating all the award recipients who were honored this year.

JOIN THE CHAMBER FOR BUSINESS AFTER HOURS AT TWO UPCOMING EVENTS

Fresh on the heels of a highly successful Business After Hours event at the Bemus Point Golf Club & Tap House, the Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce has two more networking opportunities coming up this fall. The next one will be held October 27 at 21 Brix Winery on West Main Road in Portland, followed by a perennial favorite at Southern Tier Brewing Company in Lakewood November 8.

Networking is crucial for businesspeople, no matter what their workplace. When you get to know others on a personal and professional level, you are enhancing opportunities for sales and potentially increasing your supply chain, workforce, and more. The Chamber of Commerce helps to highlight local businesses in the room during our Business After Hours events. These can be very helpful for every business as individuals meet with others in a comfortable setting.

The Chamber’s Business After Hours events are purposely held at a variety of locations countywide and designed for businesspeople to pop in quickly following their workday from 5-6:30pm, meet some people and enjoy a quick beverage and snack, and then head to dinner or home afterwards. Chamber member businesses can send two people at no charge, and non-members or anyone above the first two pay just $10 per person. Admission includes appetizers, a cash bar, a chance for door prizes when you submit your business card, and great opportunities for networking with other local businesspeople.

Business After Hours at 21 Brix is sponsored by 21 Brix Winery, Brooks-TLC Hospital System, DFT Communications, Media One Radio Group, National Grid, OBSERVER, and The Post-Journal.

Business After Hours at Southern Tier Brewing is sponsored by Southern Tier Brewing Company, Brooks-TLC Hospital System, DFT Communications, LaBella Associates, Media One Radio Group, National Grid, OBSERVER, and The Post-Journal. Space is limited at Southern Tier Brewing so there will be a cut-off for this event. We recommend that you register early.

Learn more or register for either, or both, online through the Chamber’s web calendar at www.chautauquachamber.org.