January 19, 2006
CANYS hosts Attorney General Eliot Spitzer
The Spitzer 2006 campaign web site (and a subsequent e-mail blast to all subscribers) highlights the Attorney General’s remarks at the CANYS luncheon yesterday, mentioning the Chamber Alliance by name. The home page reads like this:
A Vision for the Future of Health Care
Today in Albany, at an address to the Chamber Alliance, Eliot presented
his plan for reforming and revitalizing the health care system in New
York. This major policy speech focused on containing costs while addressing
key concerns like access and Medicaid fraud.
Click over to www.spitzer2006.com/ and look on the left hand side for the full story, clips of his remarks in MP3 format, and the full-text version of his address.
January Conference wrap-up
Special thanks to the 2006 Conference Planning Committee for a wildly successful conference: Al Samuels, Kenneth Adams, Kevin Keeley, Lyn Taylor, Marty DeLaney, Nancy Ploeger and Peter Aust.
Here are the recorded ideas from the “45 Ideas in 45 Minutes” session:
Take your membership drive on the road—go to a local business, set up and have your membership drive/open house—Nancy Ploeger (from Dave Colby)
Following the notion of “Everybody Sells” and “make time for membership,” the Brooklyn Chamber holds a Monthly Membership Marathon. It’s a 2-hour block of time on a Thursday afternoon where the only thing any staff member can do at that time is develop leads, call leads, or follow up on leads. At the end of the month, there’s a staff party meeting with prizes and roasts. The chamber has brought in more than 400 new members as a result of Monthly Membership Marathons.—Kenneth Adams
Combine your golf outing with a local charity for increased profits: the Orange County Chamber now makes eight times the income by combining its golf tournament with the United Way. They hold it on three different courses—and it’s all in the sponsorships.—John D’Ambrosio
Maximize the opportunity for radio shows: John D’Ambrosio spends an hour and a half each week taping some radio spots and doing two live radio shows, where he gets about 5 minutes of air time to discuss chamber issues and news. That equals lots of exposure for the chamber on multiple stations. Garry Van Gorder (Cortland County Chamber) also uses radio shows as an opportunity to address advocacy & quality of life issues.
For a new twist on the annual dinner, the Lower Niagara River Region Chamber scrapped the black ties and long list of speakers for cocktails at the country club. They have an awards presentation for 20 minutes, then turn it into a big party for the rest of the night. No agenda, no long speeches, and one legislator speaks on a rotational basis. The chamber uses Board letterhead for the sponsorship “ask” letter, and included a handwritten note on each.—Sandy Hays Mies
At the Rockland Business Association, the chairman calls each new member within a few weeks of them joining. Then a chamber ambassador meets face-to-face with the new member within a month. This has been a big part of successful retention.—Al Samuels
Builder Partners breakfast in Syracuse
Builder Partners is a new coalition formed to drive positive change and help position our communities for economic growth. Builder Partners has identified the following as key initiatives for 2006: reform of Labor Law Sections 240/241, meaningful workers’ compensation reform, and support of statewide economic development initiatives.
Builder Partners is holding an invitation only legislative breakfast on Friday, February 10, 2006 from 8:00 to 9:30 am at The Wyndham Hotel in East Syracuse, and chamber leaders are encouraged to attend. For information about the event you can contact Brian Sampson of Builder Partners at 585-586-5460 or brian.sampson@robex.com.
Tell us about it
The Niagara USA Chamber is searching for a Director of Membership and Development. This position is responsible for generating revenue for the chamber through memberships and development (from sponsorships or from membership services). Submit resume to attn: Thomas J. Kraus, President and CEO, Niagara USA Chamber, 6311 Inducon Corporate Drive, Sanborn, NY 14132.
Congratulations to Coleen Fabrizi, who has been named President of the Corning Area Chamber. Coleen began her work at the Chamber in March of 2004 as the Director of Visitor Services and was promoted to Vice President of Operations in October 2004. If you’d like to drop Coleen a note of congratulations, e-mail: fabrizi@corningny.com.
Jean McPheeters of the Tompkins County Chamber serves on the U.S. Chamber’s Institute Curriculum Committee and is looking to hear suggestions about courses, instructors or speakers. Also, if anyone is interested in serving as a teacher or class advisor, please call Jean at (607)273-7080.
The Chautauqua County Chamber is seeking an Office Manager/Communication Assistant. This position is based out of the Chamber’s Dunkirk branch office. Specifically, this person is responsible for providing assistance in support of the Chamber’s communication objectives, providing administrative support, and coordinating specific programs. For a full job description, click here: www.chautauquachamber.org/page.php?id=127. Resumes should be sent to: Amy Vercant, Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce, 10785 Bennett Road, Dunkirk, NY 14048
Congratulations to the Tompkins County Chamber, which just broke ground on a 2,000 square foot addition to the Chamber building. Most of the addition will be used for its Visitors Bureau—more office space, larger restrooms for visitors, and more storage capacity. They’ll also have a large conference room overlooking the lake.
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.
