May 18, 2005
Record-breaking attendance at New York Day in Washington . . .
More than a hundred people were on hand for the sixth annual New York Day in Washington, May 11-12, 2005. The record-breaking attendance included participants from 15 different chambers of commerce and business people from virtually every region of New York State. The timing of this year’s trip coincided with floor votes on important transportation funding bills and the release of the BRACC report – both of which were addressed by Members of Congress and staff alike at the Issues Briefing Thursday morning.
Despite a slight security breach and Capitol evacuation for the second year in a row for this annual CANYS event, participants said the legislative meetings and connections made were well worth the day-and-a-half away from the office. The full news story on the event can be found HERE.
Thanks again to Garry Douglas of the Plattsburgh-North Country Chamber, Deb Warner of the Greater Syracuse Chamber and the entire planning committee for their efforts in continually growing this very popular event!
St. Lawrence Co. Chamber is a finalist in international competition . . .
The St. Lawrence County Chamber's Northern Adirondack Trading Cooperative (known locally as the E-Bay project) has been named one of the ten most innovative projects in the world -- and is a finalist for the top honor to be announced at the World Chambers Federation meeting in South Africa next month. Karen St. Hilaire, Chamber executive director, partnered with Senator Hillary Clinton to create and grow the project. Karen will travel to South Africa in June to present to the WCF panel of judges.
The Northern Adirondack Trading Cooperative was formed in the fall of 2003 and 37 businesses, artisans and crafts people have participated in the project so far. Over $500,000 in sales has been added to the collective bottom line of the participating businesses, and 14 new jobs have been created and filled in St. Lawrence County as a result of these increased sales.
The St. Lawrence County Chamber is a 700-member organization celebrating its 40th anniversary in operation this year. To wish Karen luck, send an e-mail to: ksth@aol.com
Scholarships awarded to ACCE Convention . . .
The CANYS Scholarship Committee congratulates Todd Shimkus of the Adirondack Regional Chamber, Denise Romeo of the Chamber of Southern Saratoga County and Ryan Silva of the Rensselaer County Regional Chamber on winning scholarships to attend ACCE’s Convention 2005 in St. Louis, August 11-13, 2005.
The committee awarded a full scholarship to Todd, and partial scholarships to Denise and Ryan, after the CANYS Board decided to partner with ACCE in providing funding to offset registration fees for the event.
ACCE uses a “track” system to deliver education, information, and networking opportunities for all chamber professionals based on their specialty: Leadership, Membership and Sales, Business Development, Communications, Government Relations, Finance/Chamber Management, and Community Development. Registration materials and more information on the conference can be found HERE.
Thanks to the CANYS Scholarship Committee for their efforts: Jim Batsford of the Schoharie County Chamber, John D’Ambrosio of the Orange County Chamber, Rob Gladden of the Geneva Area Chamber and Betsy Sherman-Saunders of the Oswego County Chamber.
Tell us about it . . .
Tammy J. Carnrike, CCE, President and CEO of the Chenango County Chamber for the past ten years, and member of the management staff for nine years prior, has accepted the position of Executive Vice President for the Detroit Regional Chamber in Detroit, Michigan. She will officially leave the Chenango County Chamber on June 18th. Tammy continues to serve as chairman of the American Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE). For more on the new position, see the article HERE. The CANYS Board wishes Tammy all the best in her new endeavor!
The Canandaigua Chamber of Commerce has announced that Andrew Harkness accepted the position of president and CEO effective May 1. He is an attorney and practiced law in Canandaigua before moving to Rochester and most recently worked as a business consultant in Colorado. Andy is a graduate of Canandaigua Academy, Colgate University and Duke University School of Law. To send him a note of congratulations, e-mail chamber@canandaigua.com.
Congratulations to Jeff Shinaman of the Saratoga County Chamber for being selected for a two-year term on the US Chamber of Commerce Institute for Organization Management Board of Regents. He was also invited to represent Institute and the US Chamber of Commerce as an instructor teaching an elective course called “Creative Membership Sales Techniques” at Villanova in August.
The Albany-Colonie Regional Chamber has won numerous honors in The Communicator Awards 2005 Print Media competition, culminating with a Crystal Award of Excellence in the magazine/association category for its Images of New York’s Tech Valley publication. Congratulations!
The Chautauqua County Chamber is celebrating its fifth anniversary by visiting businesses in a series of "Walk Abouts" in nine different communities throughout the county. To read more about the project and see photos from the first event, click HERE.
The Rensselaer Gateway Development Corporation, a privately funded institution, is seeking a Vice President, Economic Development to oversee and administer economic development activities in Rensselaer County. Qualified candidates will be familiar with site location, writing business plans, securing financing, making group presentations and other business related activities. Mail cover letter, salary requirements and resume to: President, Rensselaer County Regional Chamber of Commerce, 255 River Street, Troy, NY 12180
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.
