There’s a lot of focus on supporting local business recently, and rightly so. Our small businesses are the heartbeat of our communities and create a sense of place. They provide vital services for local people and are crucial to our local economy.

The CHQ Chamber will once again honor a variety of local businesses and organizations that are doing outstanding work and nominations are open now. Anyone may nominate a business or organization to be recognized during the CHQ Chamber Awards Banquet, which is scheduled for October 2 at the Williams Center at SUNY Fredonia.

Award categories are designed to include businesses and organizations in a number of fields. One award will be given for Emerging Business of the Year – a newer or growing business that has demonstrated vision and/or filled a need in Chautauqua County.

There are four business sector awards that will recognize outstanding service, production, growth, or community involvement for Hospitality Business of the Year (restaurants, attractions, lodging); Service Business of the Year (retail or service such as financial, insurance, legal, etc.); Producer of the Year (manufacturing, agriculture, or construction); and Not-For-Profit of the Year (and outstanding nonprofit organization). The Business Champion Award will be presented to an organization that has contributed most to the economic development, quality of life, and stability of Chautauqua County. The Business of the Year Award will be presented to a business that has demonstrated outstanding leadership in employee growth, product development or exemplary service. In addition, multiple businesses may be recognized for milestone service years that end in a 5 or 0.

Nominations are open through August 1. All nominations must be submitted through our online form at www.chqchamber.org/2025-award-nominations. Preference will be given to nominees that are members of the CHQ Chamber, and all information must be complete in the application. Nominations will be reviewed by a “supercommittee” of volunteers from across the County and will be approved by the CHQ Chamber Board of Directors.

BUSINESS AFTER HOURS AT CABANA SAM’S IS JULY 23

The CHQ Chamber presents Business After Hours networking events at a variety of venues all year round. In July where would you rather be than at the beach? Join us at Cabana Sam’s Sunset Bay in Irving for Business After Hours, Wednesday, July 23 from 5-6:30pm.

This spectacular spot on the shore of Lake Erie will host local businesspeople for networking with complimentary appetizers and a cash bar. Chamber member businesses can send two people free of charge. Non-members of anyone above the two-person limit will be $10. We always encourage the exchange of business cards.

This event is sponsored by Cabana Sam’s Sunset Bay, National Grid, Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation, and Southern Chautauqua Federal Credit Union. Registration is not required but is appreciated for our planning purposes. You can register through our online calendar at www.chqchamber.org.

CHQ CHAMBER PRESENTS ELECTED OFFICIALS PANEL LUNCHEON

The CHQ Chamber has restructured its advocacy events this year in a move designed to provide improved experiences for our members countywide. The third event in this series for 2025 is an Elected Official Panel Luncheon, set for Friday, August 8 at noon at Chautauqua Suites, Mayville.

Our special guests for this event will be New York State Senator George Borrello, Assemblyman Andrew Molitor, and County Executive PJ Wendel. This will be a moderated question and answer session for our elected officials, and we encourage our Chamber members to come with questions for our representatives.

The cost for a buffet lunch is $30 and pre-registration is required. Please register by August 1. The CHQ Chamber Elected Officials Panel Luncheon is sponsored by Brooks-TLC Hospital System, County of Chautauqua Industrial Development Agency, LaBella Associates, National Grid, Phillips Lytle, Southern Chautauqua Federal Credit Union, and UPMC Chautauqua. Registration is open now through our web calendar at www.chqchamber.org.

GOLF WITH THE CHQ CHAMBER

Networking doesn’t get much better than on the golf course, and the CHQ Chamber tournament is always a fabulous day of golf and camaraderie. Get your foursome together and spend a great day on the golf course with the CHQ Chamber! The annual CHQ Chamber Golf Tournament is Thursday, August 21 at the beautiful Peek’n Peak Resort.

We begin the day with a shotgun start at 10am. (This is an hour earlier than last year.) Lunch is served on the course, and after a great day of golf we end with dinner. The total prize purse is $1,000 payable in ShopLocalCHQ Gift Cards.

Remember to add your golfer’s special Super Pack for $30 per player. The Super Pack includes two mulligans, the Ring of Fire, Play with the Pro, raffle prize drawings, and the 50/50 drawing. Please purchase your Super Pack online when you register, as prizes are drawn prior to play the day of the tournament. New this year: there will be one special golfer’s raffle prize drawn at the close of the tournament.

You can purchase a Par Sponsorship online, which includes a golf foursome AND the Super Pack for all four players. If you are already signed up as a Par sponsor please email us to let us know who will be playing on your team.

Become a Tee Talk Sponsor! Just a handful of organizations can participate by having an informational table set up at a hole to provide product samples, materials, and a chance to chat with the golfers on the course.

Our tee gift sponsor is the Basil Family of Dealerships. Par sponsors are Brooks-TLC Hospital System, Cattaraugus County Bank, Chautauqua Patrons Insurance Agency, DFT Communications, Koester Associates, LaBella Associates, Lake Shore Savings Bank, National Grid, Nestle Purina PetCare, and Southern Chautauqua Federal Credit Union. Lunch and snacks at the turn are sponsored by M&T Bank.

It’s easy to register online for the CHQ Chamber Golf Tournament when you visit www.chamberrsvp.org.