The Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce is in business for business. The Chamber provides service countywide for businesspeople who want to connect better with customers, other businesses, and resources they need to keep their business running smoothly. Throughout the year, the volunteers and staff of the Chamber of Commerce are planning and implementing programs and events that deliver service for our local businesses.

The ShopLocalCHQ Gift Card has seen a 28% increase in the number of participating merchants in the past year. Over 165 businesses now accept the card – meaning that card holders can redeem their gift cards at even more locations whether they are looking to buy books, local wines, gift items, household goods, or services. Spending with the ShopLocalCHQ Gift card topped $50,000 last year! That is money that goes directly to our local businesses, boosting the economy here in Chautauqua County.

Thanks to support from the Chautauqua Partnership for Economic Growth, the Chamber of Commerce was able to ramp up its marketing efforts around all our Shop Local programming, especially around Small Business Saturday, with a focused effort on driving sales to small local businesses.

Referrals are built into the Chamber’s work, as our online business directory is integrated with Google maps and searches through keywords and category listings provide an easy way for customers to find your business. The Chamber of Commerce has also stepped up its social media game, with an emphasis on helping to keep people informed and on promoting local businesses.

Broad-reaching events held in a variety of local settings and organized by our Community Chamber Committees also help to drive customers and sales for local businesses, including such programs as the Mayville Winter Festival, Jamestown Cruise-In, and First Fridays in Westfield.

With a renewed emphasis on providing opportunities for businesspeople to connect with one another, the Chamber is growing its series of Business After Hours networking events. These functions are designed to create a relaxed atmosphere for mingling, with just enough structure so you can learn who else is in the room. The goal is to link businesses together in a way that not only creates camaraderie, but also invites people to do business with one another. Whether it’s an office-based setting seeking services, or a retailer wanting to connect with vendors, the Chamber’s Business After Hours events can prove meaningful for any business. We work with local members who host these events at locations all around the county. Our golf tournament, annual meeting, awards banquet, and other events also open the door to improved peer contacts for businesspeople.

Linking businesses with resources is the third leg of the Chamber’s service sector. This includes resources such as health and ancillary insurance products for employee groups or individuals, provided by our Chautauqua Benefits Specialists arm, as well as human resources compliance especially the state mandated workplace sexual harassment prevention training. Our Tuesday Talks series of brief online panel discussions focuses on a variety of issues pertinent to many businesses including such items as workplace recruitment and retention, services for business, marketing, and financial planning.

Sponsorships, along with membership dues, allow the Chamber to provide events that serve a variety of businesses countywide, and help our sponsors to enhance their brand and community presence. National research demonstrates that aligning your company with the Chamber of Commerce increases your consumer favorability and reputation. Sponsorships are still available for our upcoming spring, summer, and fall events including some of the largest events we offer each year. For more information we invite you to contact Director of Member Services Becky Voty at rvoty@chqchamber.org.

CHAMBER STATE LEGISLATIVE BREAKFAST

IS APRIL 28

The Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce State Legislative Breakfast will be held 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. 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. This event is sponsored by Brooks-TLC Hospital System/Kaleida Health, Chautauqua Institution, Chautauqua Suites Hotel & Event Center, DFT Communications, Jamestown Community College, Jamestown Mattress, LaBella Associates, Media One Radio Group, OBSERVER, The Post-Journal, and the Small Business Development Center.

BUSINESS AFTER HOURS AT 64 ON THE ROCKS IS MAY 11

The Chamber of Commerce will hold its next Business After Hours at 64 on the Rocks, 64 West Main Street, Fredonia, on Thursday, May 11. These events run from 5-6:30pm and are designed to provide some information networking after work in a way that still allows you to relax in the evening. Enjoy complimentary appetizers and a cash bar, and get to know some potential customers. Chamber member businesses can send two people at no cost. The price is $10 for non-member businesspeople or for additional member attendees above the two free. Be sure to bring business cards for our door prize drawings and come prepared to give a quick overview about your business so other attendees can get to know you. Pre-registration is not required, but is helpful so we can plan appropriately. Business After Hours at 64 on the Rocks is sponsored by 64 on the Rocks, Media One Radio Group, OBSERVER, and The Post-Journal.