President and CEO of the Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce

Hundreds of local people got a firsthand look at some of the key attractions in the Jamestown region last weekend, when our Jamestown Community Chamber hosted Doors Open Jamestown. Sixteen local attractions participated, each of them offering up a few prize donations that were compiled into prize baskets for a text scavenger hunt.

We were delighted to see numerous families out experiencing our great local attractions and enjoying the day! More than one attendee provided rave reviews, with comments such as, “We have seen so much and learned so much out the community today!” That is precisely the point. Our objective in organizing Doors Open Jamestown is to encourage local people to see our museums and experience art, nature, and history right here in our own backyard.

One of the enticements for the local attractions that offer a free day for Doors Open is encouraging return visitors. Our friends at the Chautauqua County Visitors Bureau often tout the benefits of bringing guests back year after year. Once someone has seen what we have to offer they are likely to come back with friends and family later on. For Doors Open visitors, that includes likely return visitation when they have out of town guests.

We are fortunate here in Chautauqua County that we don’t have to wait until there’s a free day to visit these extraordinary places. Our local attractions are open year-round, offering opportunities to see, hear, and do something special whenever the mood strikes us or whenever we have an occasion arise. You can see our great local theatres whenever there’s a play or a show or a movie or concert. You can find amazing artworks in galleries in all seasons and create your own art pieces under the guidance of tremendous local teachers. You can tour museums that focus on comedy or history. And these places are not just in Jamestown. We have a plethora of immersive, family-friendly, spaces throughout Chautauqua County. You can find an extensive list on the Chautauqua County Visitors Bureau website at www.tourchautauqua.com. See what we have to offer here, and you will never be bored in your home county.

Thank you to all who turned out! We hope you’ll spread the word to your friends, neighbors, and family.

WINTER FESTIVAL VOLUNTEERS WANTED

Be part of one of the largest annual events in Chautauqua County! The Mayville-Chautauqua Community Chamber’s Winter Festival Committee is looking for volunteers. The Mayville Winter Festival is President’s Day Weekend, February 17-19. People are needed to help park cars, assist with setup and tear-down, and help staff some of the activities. If you can spend a little time helping out, contact Coordinator Shannon Biekarck at sbiekarck@chqchamber.org.

The full schedule of events for the Mayville Winter Festival is posted on our website calendar now, so make your plans. This festival goes on no matter the weather, so make your plans now!

BUSINESS AFTER HOURS AT THE GREEN DOOR TAVERN

MARCH 16

The Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce will hold its first Business After Hours event for 2023 on Thursday, March 16 at The Green Door Tavern, Route 430, Bemus Point. Business After Hours is a Chamber networking event that runs from 5-6:30pm. It’s designed to let local businesspeople meet in a comfortable setting, enjoy some appetizers and a cash bar, and provide a little information about their business or organization.

Each Chamber member business can send two people at no cost to each Business After Hours. Any employees above the two-person limit, or non-members, are welcome at $10 each. Advanced registration is not required, but is requested for our planning purposes. You can sign up now through the Chamber’s web calendar at www.chautauquachamber.org.

This Business After Hours event is sponsored by The Green Door Tavern, Media One Radio Group, The Post-Journal, and OBSERVER. Additional Business After Hours events will be announced throughout the year.

CHAMBER STATE LEGISLATIVE BREAKFAST

IS APRIL 28

The Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce has scheduled its annual State Legislative Breakfast for Friday, April 28 at Chautauqua Suites in Mayville. State Senator George Borrello and Assemblyman Andrew Goodell will be our guests for a discussion session with moderator John D’Agostino from the Observer. We urge you to come prepared with questions for our state elected representatives.

Advanced registration is required and is open now on the Chamber’s web calendar at www.chautauquachamber.org. This event is sponsored by Chautauqua Suites Meeting & Expo Center, Media One Radio Group, OBSERVER, The Post-Journal, and the Small Business Development Center.

Check-in will begin at 8:00am with a buffet breakfast prepared, and the program will begin promptly at 8:30am. We ask that all attendees visit the buffet line before the program begins. The price is $22 for Chamber members or $26 for non-members. Sign up now or save the date and watch our calendar as we confirm venues and dates for many other events in the year ahead!