September 2, 2004
CANYS at the Sagamore, September 22nd . . .
Have you registered for the CANYS meeting at the Sagamore in conjunction with The Business Council's Annual Meeting? Don't miss the power-packed agenda for the CANYS afternoon session on Wednesday, September 22nd:
Best Practices in Workforce Development: a roundtable discussion
- Garry Douglas, President & CEO, Plattsburgh-North Country Chamber of Commerce
- Randy Peers, Vice President for Economic Development, Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce
- Todd Shimkus, President & CEO, Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce
Fly Fishing, Norway and eBay: How a new market opportunity rocked St. Lawrence Co.
- Karen St. Hilaire, EVP & CEO, St. Lawrence County Chamber
Insurance Issues and Your Chamber: workers’ comp, 240/241 and beyond
- Greg Serio, Superintendent, NYS Department of Insurance
ACCE Convention 2004 wrap-up . . .
Organizers and attendees at ACCE’s “Chamber Meeting of Choice” in Orlando, Florida are calling the convention a success! Photos, selected presentations and post-conference materials will soon be available at www.acce.org. Below are some comments from New York chamber executives who attended:
Jean McPheeters, Tompkins Co. Chamber: Debra Benton, of Benton Management Resources, was a dynamic luncheon speaker on the power of executive charisma. I learned a lot about a few simple things that can help ensure that “the message you send is the message you intend.” I also picked up some great ideas that are going to help the Tompkins Chamber benefit more from sponsorships. My main focus at the conference was investigating new membership software and we’re now looking closely at four products I previewed there.
Hurricane Charley kept me in Orlando for two extra days because my flight was canceled. It was brutal writing columns and reviewing materials around the pool! Poor me.
Beth Coleman, Greater Southern Dutchess Chamber: It was a fantastic conference with some very relevant pieces on operating a Chamber today. Mr. Harris, one of the speakers, gave an excellent presentation on effective operations and what you need to have... etc.
Linda Hillman, Rensselaer Co. Chamber: The 2004 ACCE Conference had many notable aspects. The Rensselaer County Chamber was fortunate to have two of our members from the Kaleel Jamison Consulting Group in Troy participate as keynote speakers for a luncheon program. I feel the most valuable part of the conference was the opportunity to network with a wide variety of Chamber professionals from across the country. I consider them invaluable resources as they have years of experience and knowledge to share. We are also very fortunate to have left the conference safely and feel saddened for the loss experienced by the residents and businesses affected by Hurricane Charlie.
Pamela Lydic, Chautauqua Co. Chamber: The networking was one of the biggest pieces for me. The best part is hearing how other chambers are handling things. I talked with one chamber out of Minnesota about statewide support and initiatives- they were blown away with some of the resources we have in NY.
The Detroit chamber gave us a whole package on staff & benefits, which had some nifty ideas. Their evaluations forms were particularly helpful to me. They talked about their benefits- wellness programs for their employees, other things like that. We might take a look at some of those ideas.
Jeff Shinaman, Saratoga Co. Chamber: Great conference! It seems some chambers are spending time looking at branding their chambers and having tag lines like “The Chamber. It Works.” The same chamber did a brochure campaign along the lines of “When Harry Met Sally.” They substitute members’ names to give true testimonials in a story…when Joe met Mary at a Mixer, they realized they could do business with other and refer each other. One of those referrals turned into one of Mary’s biggest clients. They are success stories that illustrate the value of being a chamber member.
ACCE will be systematically visiting the corporate headquarters of big box retailers and chain stores attempting to convince them to allow local managers to make the decision to join their local chamber. I wish them luck.
I enjoyed touring the new Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa at Disney World…lots of familiar things. I met Mickey Mouse.
They locked down the hotel during the worst of Hurricane Charley and people have asked me if I was scared. I said, “Yes. With 800 chamber execs from all over the country, I was afraid they’d run out of beer.”
Tell us about it . . .
Ray San Fratello, former CANYS Chairman needs your help: Do chambers have anything on file that outlines a board members' job description, particularly in regards to expectations - i.e. attendance at meetings, serving on committees, contributing financially, being prepared to address policy issues, etc? Anything you can tell me is appreciated. E-mail Ray at rays@southlakechamber-fl.com. Please copy maggie.moree@bcnys.org with any materials or suggestions, as CANYS will be building a reference file on this subject.
The Canandaigua Chamber of Commerce is seeking a President. Resumes for the position are currently being accepted. Please send them to the attention of Elmer Adkins, Canandaigua Area Chamber of Commerce, 113 South Main Street, Canandaigua, NY 14424. For more information, visit www.canandaigua.com/chamber_home.asp
Registration is underway for the U.S. Chamber Eastern Region Governmental Affairs Conference, October 4-5 in Providence, RI. The second annual conference will bring together state and local chamber staff, executives, and key volunteers to swap programs, practices, and ideas. For registration materials and information, click HERE or visit www.uschamber.com/ViewEvent.asp?eventID=284
Got a question you’d like to ask other CANYS members? Job opening in your chamber? Great idea you’d like to share? Send it to maggie.moree@bcnys.org.
