September 29, 2006
CANYS' own Kenneth Adams named Business Council president
After a nationwide search for the next president/CEO of the Business Council of New York State, Kenneth Adams of the Brooklyn Chamber has been tapped for the position. Kenneth takes the reins on November 1st from current Business Council President Dan Walsh, who is retiring at age 71. The decision was announced last week at the Business Council's annual meeting at the Sagamore in Bolton Landing, NY, and many chamber executives were on hand to help celebrate. The full story and a picture are available here: www.bcnys.org/whatsnew/2006/0921ka.htm
In 2003 and 2004, when he served as chairman of CANYS, Kenneth toured the state to visit local and regional chambers of commerce. He took the tour to hear first-hand about the competitive trials New York’s employers face and how business could fight for changes in Albany to ease those challenges.
Kenneth was the driving force behind CANYS' On the Map destination marketing competition, which awarded $35,000 in grant money to chambers looking to improve their communities' tourism marketing and put themselves "on the map."
Peter Aust, current CANYS Chairman said, "as first and foremost a friend of Kenneth's, I cannot express in words the tremendous feeling of 'congratulations' I have for him. The Business Council has shown that in choosing Ken as their next leader, they possess the innovative insight to elect a chamber professional to lead them, and us into the future. As CANYS members, we should all be excited and proud that our colleague and friend is at the helm!"
Nancy Ploeger, CANYS Chairwoman-elect said, "Kenneth has taken his own chamber to such great heights, he's the perfect man for the job on a statewide level. And I bet this is the first time in history that the Business Council president and the CANYS Chair are both going to be from the Big Apple!"
Save these dates for 2007
Plans are shaping up nicely for CANYS' annual Legislative and Leadership Conference, January 16-17 in Albany. As always, this year's conference committee is designing a program packed with ideas and information for chamber executives and staff members. Registration materials and sponsorship information will be available shortly.
Another premiere CANYS co-sponsored event is Small Business Day in Albany. The day is wholly devoted to advocacy and education for your small business members, so make sure they have Tuesday, March 27 on their calendars now.
With the new 110th Congressional session beginning in January, CANYS' annual New York Day in Washington, May 9-10 is bound to have some fresh faces and new legislation your members will want to become familiar with. Plan now to be part of the action at each of these CANYS events.
U.S. Chamber's Eastern Region Government Affairs Conference
The U.S. Chamber’s Eastern Region Government Affairs Conference is slated for October 18-20 in Providence, Rhode Island. You can register today at www.uschamber.com/governmentaffairs.
Highlights include sessions like: Workforce Development and Education—The Business Community’s Role; Moving the Message with Fox News Analyst Rich Galen; Motivating People to Action with Barry Pruitt, Pinnacle Training Solutions; The 2006 Election Battlefield—An Insiders Look at Hot Races in the Region with Jennifer Duffy, Managing Editor, The Cook Political Report, and; Issue Creep: Nationwide Campaigns Target State & Local Governments with Andrew Siff, former Chief of Staff to Labor Secretary Elaine Chao.
The meeting will be held at the historic Biltmore Hotel (www.providencebiltmore.com), and the deadline for the group rate is September 25. Reservations should be made directly with the Biltmore by calling (800) 294-7709 and mentioning the U.S. Chamber of Commerce conference room rate of $159/night.
Welcome to CANYS, Greenwich Village-Chelsea Chamber
A warm CANYS welcome to Bob Zuckerman and the Greenwich Village-Chelsea Chamber of Commerce! For more than 50 years, the Greenwich Village-Chelsea Chamber has served as the leading voice of business in its communities. The Chamber is actively involved in promoting a business climate that encourages growth and prosperity, ensuring the future vitality of its world-famous neighborhoods. What started out as a few dozen businesses banding together has now grown into an organization that is hundreds of members strong. In fact, the Chamber saw a 38% increase in membership during 2003. Highlighting its neighborhoods, promoting commerce and enhancing the quality of life in its neighborhoods are top priorities. More background is available at the Chamber's website: www.villagechelsea.com/.
Welcome to CANYS, Kenmore-Town of Tonawanda Chamber
Another warm CANYS welcome to Tracey Lukasik and the Ken-Ton Chamber of Commerce! The Kenmore-Town of Tonawanda Chamber of Commerce is a group of business, industrial and civic leaders whose purpose is to promote the growth of the business environment and to enhance the quality of life in its community. Kenmore and the Town of Tonawanda have a long history of "firsts." Tonawanda pioneered the concept of the suburban village, successfully combining an industrial base and a thriving residential community. Kenmore was one of country's first planned bedroom communities, the clean quiet site of upscale homes on tree-lined streets. The atmosphere is one of friendly neighbors and helpful business partners who stand ready to welcome newcomers to their community. More background is available at the Chamber's website: www.ken-ton.org/
Tell us about it
Best wishes to Canandaigua Chamber president Andrew Harkness, who has announced plans to retire from his position at the end of October. Andy, who recently underwent multiple bypass surgery, indicated that the experience had led him to accelerate his interest in pursuing personal interests and to spend more time with family and friends. He has served as president since May of 2005.
Former New Yorker Tammy Carnrike has been promoted to chief operating officer (COO) at the Detroit Regional Chamber. She joined the Chamber as executive vice president in July 2005, assuming a broad base of responsibilities including oversight of public policy activities, signature events and small business initiatives. She has held leadership positions in the Chamber industry for 20 years including president and CEO of the Chenango County Chamber in Norwich, New York, chairman of the board of directors of the American Chamber of Commerce Executives, and chair-elect of the National Board of Trustees for the Institute for Organization Management. Congratulations, Tammy!
ACCE has named Todd Shimkus of the Adirondack Regional Chamber one of 30 fellows of the Ford Foundation Regionalism and Sustainable Development Fellowship. The fellowship grant is an 18-month program for leaders who build economies and communities.
Congratulations to John Passineau who was recently hired as the Poughkeepsie Area Chamber of Commerce’s Communications Specialist. Some of his responsibilities include creation and production of information graphics for the Chamber’s publications and Web site.
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.
