Chamber OnLine
News from the Genesee County Chamber of Commerce
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
 
With the Annual Meeting taking place this week and budgets being prepared for 2016, October always is a month to look back and review what we have accomplished at the Genesee County Chamber of Commerce this past year.  And each year It never ceases to amaze me how much has taken place during the past 12 months.  

GENESEE COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND DARIEN LAKE AMUSEMENT PARK RESORT BOTH EARN RECOGNITION FOR TOURISM MARKETING EXCELLENCE 
 
The Genesee County Chamber of Commerce and Darien Lake Amusement Park Resort both received awards for Excellence in Tourism Marketing from the New York State Tourism Industry Association. 

The New York State Tourism Industry Association (NYSTIA) has recognized leaders in New York State's tourism industry who have achieved a high level of excellence and accomplishment at the 2015 Tourism Excellence Awards. The winning individuals or organizations were selected on the basis of demonstrated commitment, leadership, and accomplishment in travel and tourism.

CHAMBER WINDOW DISPLAYS AVAILABLE FOR 2016
 
How much would it cost you to rent window space on Main Street in Batavia to promote your business?  As a Chamber member you can use our Main Street window space for FREE!

Why not take advantage of this great, FREE opportunity for your business?

Window displays are available in 2-3 week blocks, with set-up and take-down scheduled on Mondays. Reservations are taken on a first come, first serve basis.  
Contact Melissa at 585-343-7440 x27 for all of the details to sign up your time for 2016.
 
You are cordially invited to attend the Genesee County Chamber of Commerce Annual Membership Meeting on Thursday, November 5 at Terry Hills Restaurant and Banquet Facility, 5122 Clinton St. Rd., Batavia.  This year's meeting will feature the election of Chamber board members, a Year in Review of Chamber activities and keynote speaker Ken Pokalsky.  Ken is the Vice President of Government Affairs for The Business Council of New York State and is responsible for management of the Council's overall legislative and regulatory advocacy efforts in Albany.
 
Registration begins at 11:30 a.m. with a buffet lunch beginning promptly at noon.  Cost is $25 per person. 
Contact Melissa George at 343-7440 ext. 27 or email to make your reservations.  
THANK YOUS
 
Thank you to Brian and Beth Kemp at T-Shirts Etc. for hosting a highly successful Business After Hours in October.  And a special thanks to Brian for designing and constructing our new bean bag toss game (with a big assist from Kent Ewell of O'Lacy's for the idea).  The new bean bag toss contest was a big hit and added a lot of fun to the event.  Look for the bean bag toss game to become a regular part of our future Business After Hours events. 

Also, a big thank you to Chris Blossom of West Main Wine and Spirits and Lamoreaux Landing for providing the wine for the Chamber's stop on this year's Wine Walk.  It was well received by the hundreds of visitors who stopped at the Chamber. 
2015 CHAMBER BUSINESS WORKSHOPS
 
The final small business workshop on the Chamber's 2015 schedule, "Customer Service That Wins Sales", will take place on November 17 at the new P.W. Minor, 3 Treadeasy Drive, Batavia.  

"Even in the age of the Internet and online marketing, customer service is still the king," said Tom Turnbull, president of the Genesee County Chamber of Commerce.  "In this workshop, program participants will learn tips to better serve the customer, how to win new customers with customer service and how to increase loyalty and repeat purchases."

Cost for non-Chamber members is $10 for each attendee.  Chamber members may attend the session free of charge but must make reservations to insure space for their employees.  To reserve a seat for this workshop or for more information, contact Kelly Bermingham at 585-343-7440 ext. 26.
 
A schedule of 2016 small business workshops will be announced at the workshop.

FREE BUSINESS MENTORING
 
Did you know you can receive FREE business mentoring? A SCORE representative is available for counseling for small businesses on the third Wednesday of every month at the Genesee County Career Center, 687 East Main St., Batavia.  SCORE is a nationwide organization of retired business executives that volunteer their time to offer free, confidential and neutral mentoring to small businesses.  To schedule a counseling session, call 344-2042 for an appointment.  
DISCOVER CHAMBER TRAVEL TRIPS

For over 50 years legal travel to one of our closet neighbors, Cuba, has been off limits.  But times are changing.  The Genesee County Chamber of Commerce in conjunction with Chamber Explorations is proud to announce its first ever travel trip to Cuba March 2-8, 2016.
Chamber Explorations are experts in travel to Cuba.  This trip promises to be a highly rewarding educational experience and the opportunity to learn more about the Cuban people and their culture.  Only a limited amount of seats are available for this trip.

The Chamber also is sponsoring a tour of the Alpine Countries of Austria, Germany and Switzerland from September 15-27, 2016. The Canadian Rockies by train trip is scheduled for April 21-29 and will include stops in Jasper, Lake Louise, Banff and Calgary.

More information on all tours is available on the Chamber's website  www.geneseeny.com/trips 
or by contacting the Chamber at 585-343-7440.   
 

2016 TOURISM CO-OP MARKETING FUNDS NOW AVAILABLE:

The Genesee County Chamber of Commerce is announcing the availability of 2016 collaborative marketing dollars for in-county tourism related businesses.  The Chamber's "matching funds" program is open to area accommodations, attractions, restaurants, events, and retailers whose goals align with our marketing plan and take an active approach in advertising to potential visitors to Genesee County.  All advertising must be placed outside of the county, within a 300 mile radius.   The co-op dollars and ad content is a 50/50 split. 

In 2016, $40,000 was made available and resulted in $80,000 in collaborative programming.  The program is designed to assist local tourism businesses, as well as to maximize the Chamber's available tourism marketing resources.

Area tourism businesses that would like to discuss funds for the 2016 tourism season should contact Kelly Rapone by December 18, 2015 at the Chamber office (585-343-7440 x23).  Funds will be available on a first come, first served basis until no longer available.
HOW BEING BUSY MAKES YOU UNPRODUCTIVE

Being busy has somehow become a badge of honor. The prevailing notion is that if you aren't super busy, you aren't important or hard working. The truth is, busyness makes you less productive. 


QUOTE OF THE MONTH

"The only place where success comes before work is in the dictionary."                                                           -Vidal Sassoon
Your Chamber Resources:

Kelly Bermingham, Director of Membership & Special Events
 
Ginny Elsasser, Staff Accountant
 
Melissa A. George, Executive Assistant

BEA Coordinator
Taylor White, Tourism Marketing Assistant

Kelly Rapone, Tourism Marketing Director

Tom Turnbull, President
November 2015

Thank you
Chamber Champions!

 

The Genesee County Chamber of Commerce would like to thank our Chamber Champions:

 

Alex's Place  

 

Clark Patterson Lee

 

Freed Maxick

              

Lawley Genesee

 

National Grid

 

Terry Hills Golf Course, Restaurant, & Banquet Facility

 

Turnbull Heating & Air

 

The Bank of Castile/

Tompkins Insurance  

 

United Memorial
Medical Center

 

These businesses have taken the lead role in investing in our Chamber's mission of enhancing business and community development in Genesee County.  To find out how your business can become a Chamber Champion, contact Kelly Bermingham 

at 585-343-7440.

Thank you
Looking for something to do? Check out the Community Events Calendar on the Chamber Website!

 

The Chamber of Commerce sells E-Z Pass.  Stop in the office to learn more or to purchase one!

 

























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210 East Main Street
Batavia, NY 14020
M-F, 8:00am-4:30pm
585-343-7440