Did you know you can fulfill all your business marketing needs and support local businesses at the same time? Whether you’re looking for custom imprinted uniforms or clothing, printed brochures, mailing materials, graphic and logo design, website design, or advertising placement, there are local businesses to serve all of these and more.

As part of our partnership with the County of Chautauqua Industrial Development Agency and Small Business Development Center, the Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce has been meeting with a variety of local businesses to review marketing plans. The plans are as varied as the businesses involved: stemming from sole proprietorships that work in consulting or provide services, to smaller retail, dining, or lodging venues. It’s been a great experience for our staff to meet and talk with numerous small businesspeople who want to garner more attention for the terrific work they do.

In preparation for these meetings, the Chamber of Commerce put together a quick list of local companies that offer a number of marketing services. We have printing companies, designers, photographers, promotional product providers, advertising venues, writing and editing, radio, newspaper, and much more.

It might seem easy to go online and place an order for print materials for your business. But you won’t get any customer service that way and your brochure will end up looking like hundreds of others. If you want something unique and special, and done at a reasonable price, we urge you to talk with some local providers.

Our local list is just a starting point. Of course, we are familiar with those that are members of the Chamber of Commerce, and several others that may have a high profile in the communities we serve. The list is available to view or download at www.chautauquachamber.org/driving-traffic-to-business. If you provide one of the marketing services we have talked about, but you’re not on our list, email swebster@chqchamber.org to have your business added.

BUSINESS AFTER HOURS AT PEARL CITY HOPS APRIL 13

Join us for the next Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours at Pearl City Hops in Jamestown, April 13. This event will be held in the beautiful first floor lounge space called Pearl City Hops at the DoubleTree on Fourth Street.

Business After Hours is designed as a relaxing way for local businesspeople to network with others while they enjoy complimentary appetizers and a cash bar from 5-6:30pm. We encourage all Chamber member businesses to attend – no matter what type of business you have – and also encourage non-members to sample the event to see what we have to offer.

Business After Hours at Pearl City Hops is sponsored by DFT Communications, Pearl City Hops, Media One Radio Group, The Post-Journal, and OBSERVER. 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.

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.

This event is sponsored by Brooks-TLC Hospital System/Kaleida Health, Chautauqua Suites Meeting & Expo Center, DFT Communications, Jamestown Mattress, LaBella Associates, 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!

FIRST FRIDAYS BEGIN MAY 5

First Fridays are back this year in Westfield! Starting Friday, May 5, this street fair event will be held in downtown Westfield, organized by the Westfield-Barcelona Community Chamber Committee. The theme for this season-opener is Cinco de Mayo! First Friday runs from 5-8pm and is fun for the whole family, with businesses staying open, vendors offering food and more, and entertainment. If you want to be a vendor or a sponsor, you can easily sign up online through our web calendar at www.chautauquachamber.org or for more information contact Community Chamber Coordinator Staunzie Grady at sgrady@chqchamber.org or at (716) 484-1101 ext. 300.

Additional First Fridays for 2023 will be held June 2, July 7, August 4, September 1, and October 6.