By TODD J. TRANUM

President and CEO of the Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce & Executive Director of the Manufacturers Association of the Southern Tier

As the holiday season approaches local businesses, as well as individuals, are considering holiday giving. Let the Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce make it easy for you: give the Shoptauqua Gift Card.

Shoptauqua Gift Cards can be used at more than 150 businesses throughout Chautauqua County for everything from groceries to gifts. Chamber member businesses from Ashville to Arkwright accept the Shoptauqua Gift Card, and they represent all economic sectors from retail to restaurants to wineries.

Available in any denomination up to $500, the Shoptauqua Gift Card is easy to purchase and thoughtful to give. The Chamber can customize an order for your business, whether you are giving to two employees or 200.

One of the best reasons to give the Shoptauqua Gift Card is that it makes a difference right here for local businesses. The economic impact of this program since its inception is over $2.8 million. That represents direct sales at Chamber member businesses right here in Chautauqua County.

As part of our mission, the Chamber seeks ways to drive foot traffic into local businesses. The Shoptauqua Gift Card is one way we measure success on behalf of our local business community. For more information about the Shoptauqua Gift Card and how you can order one card or many, please contact the Chamber at (716) 366-6200 or (716) 484-1101 or visit us online at www.shoptauqua.com.

Business After Hours at Southern Tier Brewing is November 12

Limited space remains for the Chamber’s popular Experience Chautauqua Business After Hours at Southern Tier Brewing Company! Once again this year the Chamber invites you to enjoy “Novemberfest” from 5-6:30 p.m., Tuesday, November 12. This is a fun evening of networking with your fellow Chamber members and prospective members. The evening will feature appetizers, a business card door prize drawing, and a cash bar featuring Southern Tier’s terrific brewery selections on tap.

Many thanks to our sponsors for supporting this event: Affinity One Federal Credit Union, Anderson Cleaners, Buffamante Whipple Buttafaro, DFT Communications, KeyBank, Media One Radio Group, Northwest Arena, OBSERVER, and The Post-Journal. Space is limited and this popular venue fills up quickly, so we encourage early registration. You can call the Chamber at 366-6200 or 484-1101, or register online at www.chautauquachamber.org.

Technology and Manufacturing Expo is November 13

The sixth annual Technology and Manufacturing Expo will be held Wednesday, November 13 at the Manufacturing Technology Institute at Jamestown Community College. This event is a great opportunity to showcase your manufacturing company, be exposed to technologies, network with other manufacturers in the region, build your supply chain, and identify potential new customers. Sponsored by Allen Industrial Sales, Jamestown Community College, and the Manufacturers Association of the Southern Tier, this expo highlights cutting edge technologies in CAD/CAM software, additive manufacturing in plastics and metallic, 3D scanning and portable precision inspection, automation, machining and tooling, robotics, co-botics, and much more. Vendors will include SMC, CAD Dimensions, FARO, Warren Industrial Solutions, DXP, Stark Industries, Universal Robotics, and many others.

The expo will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with lunch to be provided at noon. There is no cost to attend, but prior registration is appreciated for planning purposes. To register visit eventbrite.com/e/6th-annual-manufacturing-technology-expo-tickets.

Chamber Annual Meeting to feature update on Comedy Center

All are cordially invited to attend the Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce 2019 Annual Meeting, Friday, December 6th. This lunch time event will be held at the new DoubleTree by Hilton, 150 West Fourth Street, Jamestown. Check-in begins at noon, with lunch and the program to begin at 12:30. The Chamber’s 2019 Annual Meeting will feature guest speaker Journey Gunderson, Executive Director of the National Comedy Center, with an update on how Chautauqua County’s newest attraction has been drawing visitors to our region and changing our community. Our guest speaker is sponsored by Media One Radio Group. The meeting will also include election of the Chamber board for 2020, and presentation of the Pam Lydic Coalition Builder Award.

The Chamber’s Annual Meeting is sponsored by E.E. Austin & Son, Inc., Law Offices of Sheila Starkey Hahn, M & T Bank, Northwest Arena, OBSERVER, The Post-Journal, and WellNow Urgent Care. To register visit www.chamberrsvp.org or call the Chamber at (716) 366-6200 or (716) 484-1101.

Join us for Small Business Saturday!

Once again this year the Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce has signed on as a Neighborhood Champion for Small Business Saturday, which is Nov. 30, the Saturday after Thanksgiving. It’s a great opportunity to support small, locally owned businesses, especially as the holiday shopping season begins. We will help to promote local businesses and help to run some local events for Small Business Saturday.

The Dunkirk Community Chamber is working with the City of Dunkirk to help promote a vendor fair, which will be held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the former JC Penney location at D & F Plaza on Nov. 30. The Chamber will be on hand to sell Shoptauqua Gift Cards which can be used at 150 Chamber member businesses countywide. There will also be music, food, face painting, and more for a fun-filled day.

The Fredonia Community Chamber of Commerce will have a Shop Small Welcome Station in the Information Booth on Barker Common on Small Business Saturday. There, shoppers can pick up a Shopping Passport. Shoppers will need to visit at least eight of the businesses listed to be entered into a prize drawing. Small Business Saturday kicks off a week-long shopping event that leads up to the festive Miracle on Main celebration the following weekend in Fredonia.

The Jamestown Community Chamber will host a Visit with Santa Claus at the Chamber office at 300 North Main St., Jamestown, from noon to 2 p.m. on Small Business Saturday. There will be a coloring contest for kids as well as hot cider and snacks, and an opportunity to purchase Shoptauqua Gift Cards.