May 16, 2008
Wicks Reform
The Business Council has secured permission from the firm which paid for this advertisement to share it with chambers around New York State, as the company is interested in coalition building. Chambers interested in building momentum to get "real" Wicks reform on the legislative agenda through local media should contact Maggie Moree. If you are building your own ad campaign, we are interested in knowing about it and sharing with a wider audience.
Al Samuels, President and CEO of the Rockland Business Association, shares his thoughts on several issues important to businesses in Rockland County, including recent changes to the Wicks Law.
Paid Family Leave
The Business Council has taken the position that proposed state-mandated paid family leave legislation would increase costs for businesses, making it difficult to create and retain new jobs. The first of several ads opposing the paid family leave bills and news coverage of the proposal appeared in the Albany Legislative Gazette. The state of New Jersey recently approved paid family leave legislation.
Statewide Economic Development
Catherine Glover of the Greater Binghamton Chamber of Commerce is concerned about upstate economic development needs in light of Governor Paterson's suggestion that that New York would be better served with one statewide ecomonic development chair. Business leaders are asking the Governor to retain Buffalo-based Dan Gundersen, chairman of the upstate Empire State Development Corporation. Andrew Rudnick of the Buffalo Niagara Partnership and Darlene Kerr of the Greater Syracuse Chamber of Commerce share their thoughts on the subject with the Buffalo News and the Syracuse Post Standard, respectively.
The Plattburgh-North County Chamber of Commerce has been recognized as one of the top 20 economic development groups in the nation. In 2007, the Plattsburgh-North Country region secured several projects totaling over $140 million in capital investment and creating more than 800 jobs, in addition to completing two large public works projects.
Chamber Advocacy
The Queens Chamber of Commerce is partnering with City Council Speaker Christine Quinn to introduce Healthworks, a program that offers affordable health insurance to small business. The program is an expansion of the Brooklyn HealthWorks started by Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce in 2004.
The Chamber of Southern Saratoga County and the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce joined forces to host a luncheon with Congresswoman Kirsten Gillibrand. The event attracted over 250 people. Congresswoman Gillibrand spoke about issues affecting businesses in the Saratoga region including the high cost of energy, gasoline prices, taxes and health care.
Global Markets
Many chambers have recognized the opportunities available to businesses worldwide. The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) World Chambers Federation is comprised of 1,600 chamber of commerce leaders and senior executives from over 118 countries. Chambers interested in the global marketplace may want to consider attending the ICC 6th World Chambers Congress. The Congress will be held June 3-5, 2009 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The 2009 motto is "the only global meeting place for chambers."
Professional Development
Carl Hum, President of the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce, and Jean McPheeters, President of the Tompkins County Chamber of Commerce, are among 50 business and civic leaders across the country selected to participate in the American Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE) Regional Sustainable Development (RDS) Fellowship program. The Fellowship is a 12-month program provides hands-on training, research and working models on growth and sustainability issues such as infrastructure, immigration, education and environment. Marsha Gordon, President and CEO of the Business Council of Westchester, and Todd Shimkus, President of the Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce, are alumni of the RDS Fellowship, having completed the program earlier this year.
Scholarship Opportunity for CANYS members!
CANYS has the opportunity to partner with the American Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE) and make available two (2) scholarships to our CANYS members to cover registration cost for the ACCE 2008 Convention: INNOVATE! July 30 - August 2 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. If you would like to be considered for a scholarship, please return the scholarship application no later than Friday, May 23, 2008 to Cathy Jimenez.
Congratulations to Larry Brinker, Greater Binghamton Chamber of Commerce, and Patrick Hyland, Staten Island Chamber of Commerce! Both received a scholarship from CANYS to assist with expenses to attend the 2008 U.S. Chamber of Commerce Eastern Regional Conference.
The Business Council has a New Look
The Business Council of New York State has an exciting, new logo. Please update the Business Council logo on your website and publications by visiting the new Link to Us page at the Business Council website. If you need assistance or have any questions regarding the use of The Business Council logo, please contact Skye Heritage.
Chamber Recruitments
The Buffalo Niagara Partnership is seeking applicants for the position of Vice President for Public Affairs. Submit a confidential resume and cover letter to apply for this position.
Mark Your Calendar
The next "All Chambers" conference call is scheduled for June 20, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. Please let us know of topics or speakers that you would like to hear from on the "All Chambers" call.
Please let us know if you would like to be added to or removed from the CANYS Connection newsletter distribution list.
