By Daniel J. Heitzenrater

President and CEO of the Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce

The Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce is rounding out a full slate of events for the rest of this calendar year. We got off to a good start with Doors Open Jamestown, Salute to the Finest, and the annual State Legislative Breakfast already completed, but there is much more to come!

May will see a return of the Chamber’s Spring Membership Drive as our staff literally hits the streets to meet with local businesses in communities countywide. The Chamber and the Small Business Development Center will honor National Small Business Week with a news conference May 2 to serve as a kickoff of the drive. May 24 brings a return to Business After Hours with a networking session at Group Ther-Happy in Lakewood. The Mayville-Chautauqua Community Chamber committee will unveil its Farmer’s & Artisans Market for the season starting Thursday, May 26, and will hold its Community Yard Sales over Memorial Day weekend May 27-29.

The Chamber’s annual County Executive Breakfast is set for June 3 at the Clarion Hotel in Dunkirk with our special guest P.J. Wendel. The Fredonia Community Chamber Committee is holding Attic & Seller Days June 3-5, and the Westfield-Barcelona Community Chamber Committee is resuming First Fridays for the summer season beginning Friday, June 3. Also in June the popular Business After Hours Beach Bash at the Sunset Bay Beach Club in Irving is set for June 9.

July marks the return of Music in the Park with the free summer concert series at Lakeside Park in Mayville, hosted by the Mayville-Chautauqua Community Chamber.

The Hanover Community Chamber committee is prepping for its 30th annual yard sales in the Silver Creek area August 6, while the Jamestown Community Chamber Committee is gearing up for Downtown Cruise-In August 12 on the streets of downtown Jamestown. The Chamber’s popular annual Golf Tournament is scheduled for August 18 at Peek’n Peak Resort in Clymer.

September brings another Business After Hours event, this time at the Bemus Point Golf Club & Tap House on September 27.

The Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce Annual Awards Banquet will be back October 6. This special event is held at the Williams Center at SUNY Fredonia with honorees and guests in attendance from all over the county.

The always popular Business After Hours at Southern Tier Brewing Company is on tap for November 8. Also in November, the Chamber is set to help promote small businesses countywide for Small Business Saturday November 26.

Additional events will be scheduled as well as we continue to lock in dates and venues for a couple more Business After Hours networking events, our Congressional Luncheon, and for the Chamber Annual Meeting in December.

To register for upcoming Chamber events, visit our online calendar at www.chautauquachamber.org.

SPONSORING CHAMBER EVENTS HIGHLIGHTS YOUR BUSINESS

The Chamber of Commerce seeks sponsors for all of its events in order to keep programs affordable and available for all of our members. Sponsors get mentioned in promotional pieces leading up to each event including direct emails, articles, and social media posts. In addition sponsors are highlighted during the event itself as we work to display logos and personally thank each sponsor that helps to make the event happen. Depending on sponsorship level, the sponsorship commitment may include tickets to the event itself. Organizations that have sponsored Chamber events over the years have been very pleased with the recognition their business has gained by participating in this worthwhile program.

Sponsorship opportunities remain for some of our upcoming events this year. For more information about sponsorship, please contact Becky Voty, Director of Member Services, at rvoty@chautauquachamber.org. Chamber events are all designed to bring customers to local businesses, provide business-to-business interaction, and pay tribute to those who make our county a special place to live, work, and play.

REGISTER NOW FOR BUSINESS AFTER HOURS AT GROUP THER-HAPPY

Enjoy a great little spot in Lakewood as the Chamber brings Business After Hours to Group Ther-Happy, 103 Chautauqua Avenue in the heart of the village. Join your fellow Chamber of Commerce members for this networking event as you enjoy appetizers and a cash bar while you get to know other local businesspeople.

Chamber member businesses can send two people to each Business After Hours event at no cost. The price is just $10 for non-members or for additional member attendees above the first two. Be sure to bring business cards and come prepared to give a quick overview about your business so others can get to know you.

Business After Hours at Group Ther-Happy is sponsored by Group Ther-Happy, Media One Radio Group, OBSERVER, and The Post-Journal. Register online now!

RECRUIT EMPLOYEES AT THE CHAUTAUQUA WORKS JOB FAIR

Chautauqua Works is holding a South County Spring Job Fair! The event will be held Thursday, May 19 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Jamestown. It will begin with an Employer Registration and Breakfast from 8:30-9:30, followed by the Job Fair from 9:30-11:30am.

Your business can participate in person by signing up with Chautauqua Works. The cost is $100 which includes a table with chairs, table sign, 2 continental breakfasts, advertising and promotion, and job seekers from the region. A downloadable form is available on the Chamber’s web calendar. The deadline for sign-ups is May 6.

If you are a small business and cannot attend in person, the Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce will have a table and will be accepting applications that we will pass along to all interested Chamber member small businesses right after the event. Small businesses that are unable to attend in person are invited to sign up through the Chamber’s web calendar to get access to applications and resumes after the event.