Savvy businesspeople know that if they aren’t innovating, they are in trouble. Fortunately for all of us, there is a great opportunity for local manufacturers to learn about the industry of the future without even leaving home. Retool ’22 is a Climate Tech Manufacturing Conference that will take place in Jamestown October 17-29. This extraordinary conference will bring together those on the cutting edge of technology with those who are creating and transforming the way products are made, sold, and even financed.

Keynote speakers for Retool ’22 are: John Ellis, former Ford Global Technologist; and Clint Wilder, Editorial Director for Clean Edge a leading clean-tech research & advisory firm. Additional featured speakers will be Dennis Elsenbeck, head of Energy & Sustainability with Phillips Lytle LLP; Marnie LaVigne, President & CEO of LAUNCH NY; Paul Tyno, Associate Vice President at NOCO Energy; and John Williams, Vice President, Policy & Regulatory Affairs with NYSERDA.

This conference is a great way to learn about market opportunities in the climate technology sector, discover innovators who are already in the climate technology supply chain, hear about entrepreneurs and investors and learn about how to grow new businesses in Western New York, meet education leaders who are formulating new programs to meet the needs of manufacturers, and see examples of electrified vehicles and equipment and talk with industry experts.

Key conference sessions will be held at Northwest Arena in downtown Jamestown, with additional networking opportunities built into the program at the Robert H. Jackson Center, the Roger Tory Peterson Institute, and the Chautauqua Harbor Hotel. Vendor table spaces are also available where local and regional businesses and organizations can showcase all they have to offer for the businesses of the present and future.

We strongly urge local businesspeople and manufacturers to register and participate. The panel discussions, breakout sessions, and networking will have plenty to offer to all, including a focus on financial resources, entrepreneurial assistance, advice on scaling up your business, and an electric vehicle showcase that will be open to the public.

Whether your business is looking to retool, ramp up, finance growth, highlight products or services, or you have people who just want to volunteer in order to be in the room with experts around climate technology manufacturing, you can learn more or register at www.jamestownbpu.com/350/Business-Development. This event is being hosted by the Jamestown Board of Public Utilities and you can learn more by contacting the BPU’s Business Development Coordinator, Ellen Ditonto. Events such as this are not often held here in our own backyard. Chautauqua County businesses have much to gain by participating in this remarkable summit.

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.

SAVE THE DATE: CHAMBER ANNUAL MEETING IS

DECEMBER 2

The Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce will hold its Annual Meeting at noon, Friday, December 2 at Webb’s Captain’s Table in Mayville. We hope you’ll mark your calendar now and join us for this event as we highlight a great 2022 and look forward to great things to come in the year ahead. The Chamber’s Annual Meeting is sponsored by Brooks-TLC Hospital System, DFT Communications, Jamestown Community College, the Law Offices of Sheila Starkey Hahn, Small Business Development Center, SERVPRO of Jamestown, OBSERVER, The Post-Journal, and Artone, LLC.