Our Chamber team has made a practice of taking a look back at some statistics as we close one calendar year and open a new one. The exercise this year was not only helpful, but also caused us to double-check some numbers. In 2023 the Chamber saw an 82.6-percent increase in attendance at our functions. That includes Business After Hours networking events, legislative breakfasts focused on conversations with elected officials, the Chamber’s Annual Golf Tournament, Annual Awards Banquet, Annual Meeting, and Business Builder Workshops. The number does not include the thousands who showed up for community-wide events offered by some of our Community Chamber Committees, including the annual Mayville Winter Festival, First Fridays in Westfield, and Jamestown Cruise-In.

We were a bit astounded by the number, so we checked it twice. It is correct, and there may be multiple reasons. First, we’ve relaunched and revamped all our events which have seen a new energy throughout 2023. We have steered our educational workshops away from online to only in-person programming, we have worked on stronger promotion of events, and more people may simply have decided to get back into the habit of attending functions and connecting with others, in person. Whatever the reason, the numbers tell us Chamber events are as popular as ever. That makes a great case for your business as you consider whether sponsoring a Chamber event will be worth the investment to get in front of this growing crowd.

Chamber event sponsors get their name associated with our events every time we publicize it online, in the media, and on our website. Sponsor logos are prominent in our direct emails to members and on our website. Sponsors get mentioned more than once in the room at each event, and if there is a printed program they are mentioned in the program. Aligning your company with the Chamber of Commerce gives you more value for your investment as you leverage our trusted brand to demonstrate your commitment to advancing our communities and our local economy. Visibility through Chamber sponsorship reinforces your company name and product awareness, helping to drive up your return on investment. You can get more information by reaching out to our Director of Member Services, Becky Voty, at rvoty@chqchamber.org.

Our mission is to build vital connections, provide professional resources, and champion our local businesses in Chautauqua County. As one of Western New York’s largest business associations, our vision is to be a critical partner in achieving consistent economic growth, resiliency, and prosperity to increase the collective opportunity for local businesses and organizations in Chautauqua County. The Chamber of Commerce looks forward to working with all our businesses in the year ahead.

BUSINESS BUILDER WORKSHOP: INSURING YOUR BUSINESS SUCCESS

The Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce is kicking off the new year with a focus on some of the necessities for any business, including business planning and insurance. The Chamber’s Business Builder Workshop: Insuring Your Business Success, will be held from 1-3pm, Monday, January 22 at the Carlson Community Center at Lakeside Park, Mayville.

Our presenters from Lawley Insurance and the Small Business Development Center will talk about why businesses should maintain insurance not only for their products, but for protection against liability, as well as the crucial need for business planning and what that looks like. This session will be geared towards small businesses, including those who may have no storefront presence and only operate as vendors or in pop-up locations, but any businessperson is welcome to attend. We felt these topics would be appropriate for starting a new year. This event is sponsored by Jamestown Community College, Media One Radio Group, Observer, and The Post-Journal. Registration is open online now through the Chamber’s web calendar at www.chqchamber.org.

Business Builder Workshops are learning opportunities for anyone associated with a local business or organization. They are designed to provide topical information while also providing platforms for questions and answers, and some business networking. These events are free to all and there is no need to be a member of the Chamber to attend. Our Chamber staff is putting together a complete series of quarterly Business Builder Workshops for 2024 and more details will be announced soon.

BE PART OF THE LARGEST WINTER FESTIVAL IN WESTERN NEW YORK

As a sponsor or vendor, you are invited to be part of the Mayville Winter Festival, the largest event of its kind in Western New York. The annual Mayville Winter Festival is scheduled for Presidents Day Weekend, February 16-18, 2024, and there’s room for all to participate!

This year the organizing committee is working to create a unique vendor experience that will enhance the event for both vendors and attendees. All vendors will be in one easy to find location under a large, heated tent, so visitors will be more likely to see all the merchandise in one place rather than having it spread out in several locations across the wide expanse of Lakeside Park. This vendor focus is designed to help draw foot traffic for local businesses participating, and the Chamber is working to provide additional overnight security so vendors can be assured that their merchandise will be safe overnight in the tent.

Anyone who is interested in being a vendor, food provider, or sponsor for the 2024 Mayville Winter Festival can sign up online through the Chamber’s web calendar. If you have questions, please reach out to Coordinator Shannon Biekarck at (716) 484-1101 ext. 208 or email her at sbiekarck@chqchamber.org.

DOORS OPEN JAMESTOWN IS FEBRUARY 3

Eighteen local venues will participate in Doors Open Jamestown, Saturday, February 3. Doors Open is designed as a day when local museums and attractions open their doors to the public for free, providing opportunities for local people to get a taste of the many assets available right here in our own community. Participating this year are: Audubon Community Nature Center; Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Center; Chautauqua Sports Hall of Fame; *Fenton History Center; Infinity Visual and Performing Arts; Jamestown Prendergast Library; Lucile M. Wright Air Museum; *Lucille Ball Desi Arnaz Museum; Martz-Kohl Observatory; Marvin Community House; *National Comedy Center; *Northwest Arena; Pearl City Clay House; Partridge-Sheldon House; Reg Lenna Center for the Arts; Robert H. Jackson Center; Roger Tory Peterson Institute; and Winifred Crawford Dibert Boys & Girls Club. Those marked with an asterisk are requiring pre-registration. Restrictions and some fees may apply at some venues. Please check their websites for details. Doors Open will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and will feature a scavenger hunt using questions at each location with answers to be submitted by text. Some local businesses will also take part in the text scavenger hunt. Watch our website for more information.