Borderland, Business Development & Tourism Discussed at Chamber Meeting

Borderland, Business Development & Tourism Discussed at Chamber Meeting

 

Chamber Meetings Continue to Connect Local Businesses!

If you weren’t at the Roycroft Inn for the Greater East Aurora Chamber of Commerce’s Business Tourism Council meeting this morning (6/21), you missed a very informative and energizing get together.

 There was a strong turnout to hear presentations by developer Todd Stine, new owner of 649 Main St. (the former First Niagara Bank) and John Cimperman, owner of 42 North.

 Mr. Stine talked about his plans for developing his property into a 9 room Air B’nB and an events center featuring the former bank’s unique architecture.

 Mr. Cimperman discussed the planning and concept for the Borderland Festival at Knox Farm State Park September 22nd and 23rd. The festival will feature nationally recognized bands on 3 stages along with local artisans, craft beers and foods and more.

 In addition, group discussion centered on area activities and events, tourism promotion and local business updates!

 Join us for the next meeting July 19th!

 

See What You Receive As A Member!

Our goal as a Chamber is to provide opportunities for our members to grow by creating an environment for them to be more successful.

The only way to help ensure that this happens is for our members to take advantage of and become involved in the offerings, programs and activities that the Chamber makes available & are already included in your membership.

  1. As a member you have the ability to reach our very broad network of businesses, community partners and the general consumer market through targeted events and programs to consumers throughout WNY.
  2. Claim your member listing on the Chamber websitewww.eanycc.com – and by creating your own “mini-website” on our site, you increase your business’ visibility and Search Engine Optimization!
  3. Business Referrals are an important part of what we do in answering 6,000 requests for information annually through phone calls, emails, regular post office mail and visitors who walk through the door. We only refer members.
  4. Great networking opportunities through our networking group and through our many other events, programs & meetings.
  5. We share your social media postings on Facebook to help spread the word about your business. Like us on FB.
  6. Submit a business profile/bio or other interesting information on your business i.e. special sales or promotions, special event, employee highlight, etc. in our newsletter that goes out twice a month. There is no limit to the number of submissions you can make in reaching our 500 member business network.
  7. Thousands of visitors walk through our doors annually. Display your business information/business cards at the Chamber’s visitor’s center at no cost. There is an opportunity to be a featured business on our information display center through Profile Display. There is a cost for this service.
  8. Your business listing in our membership directory/consumer guide reaching over 6,000 potential customers in addition to your business listing on the Chamber’s website for access to your information 24/7 with the potential to reach thousands more customers. Business display ads are also available on our website & app.
  9. Become a sponsor for one or more of our featured events. Meet with us and let’s see what event best fits your goals.
  10. Participating in our gift certificate program ensures $20,000+ worth of gift certificate purchases annually are spent locally with our Chamber members. You should be one of them.
  11. If you’re a new business or considering a “re-grand opening” we can help you set up your ribbon cutting event and even provide the large scissors.

21st Annual Chamber’s Choice Student Recognition Award Dinner

Greater East Aurora Chamber of Commerce

Celebrates 21st Year of Honoring Local Students

On Tuesday, April 24th the Greater East Aurora Chamber of Commerce will be recognizing 40 high school seniors at its 21st Annual Chamber’s Choice Awards at the Holland Willows Restaurant.

The students, 10 each, from East Aurora, Holland and Iroquois high schools and the BOCES Ormsby Educational Center were selected for one or more of the following qualities – Work Ethic, Community Service, Peer Leadership, Character Development and Personal Growth, Communication Skills, Spirit of Entrepreneurship, School Citizenship, Perseverance, Career Preparation and Commitment and Demonstrated Creativity. The students being recognized are:

East Aurora                                     Holland

Mary Dunbar                               William Anderson

Caelan Kavcic                               Maryalice Ball

Emmalee Lowe                            Mallory Drews

Lucas McClaren                           Riley Jones

Madeleine McLaughlin             Jacob Ostrowski

Madeline Nemec                       Joshua Ratajczak

Emma Oar                                   Karolyn Schmidt

Daniel Philips                              Haley Shanahan

Victoria Prusak                           Emily Stock

Ronnie Youngman                     Kalei Winter

Iroquois                                          Ormsby

 Daniel Baker                               Nicholas Ball

Sela Bove                                     Emma Cassidy

Abigayle Greier                           Marilyn Deni

Evan Herbold                              Rebecca Dollman

Raven Kirsch                               Alexandra Gerbracht

Sarah Mertzlufft                         Cassandra Lesinski

Tyler Tait                                      Tyler Phillips

James Tokasz                               Emily Rogers

Eleanor Tucker                            Michaela Webber

Alex Wozniak                               Corney Wiedemann

The event is coordinated by the Chamber’s Business Education Alliance comprised of educators and business representatives working to strengthen the partnership between our schools and businesses.

The key note speaker for the evening will be Melissa Lauricella, Human Resources Supervisor for Astronics, Inc.

Special thanks to Tops Markets as Head of the Class sponsor and the other additional 39 supporting businesses coming together to recognize these 40 students.

The event is open to the public. Dinner tickets are $20.00 per person.

For further information and reservations contact the Chamber office at 652-8444.

SCORE Seminar Prepares Business Owners!

 

SCORE Seminar Introduces Potential Business Owners to Preparing for Starting & Managing Their Own Business!

Starting a business is a very difficult thing to do!

Since the Greater East Aurora Chamber partnered with SCORE and the Southside Commerce Center in opening a SCORE office in the Village of East Aurora in January, things have been moving forward very well in an effort to help people thinking of opening a business make the transition successfully.

SCORE mentors have been meeting on a fairly regular basis with people interested in opening businesses and with current business owners who may be facing a challenge in their business.

This past Saturday, March 24th, SCORE offered an all-day seminar to 40 potential business owners which covered topics such as business plan development, determining your market, developing a marketing plan and how to conduct market research. In addition, business law, finances & taxes, and business insurance were discussed providing attendees with a very thorough overview of factors to consider when starting a business.

The SCORE mentorship team works to help these entrepreneurs to start off on the right foot! All services are free.

Regular office hours for SCORE mentors are Tuesday & Thursday from 4 – 7pm or by appointment at the 300 Gleed Ave. office. Check out www.BuffaloNiagaraScore.org for additional information.

Questions can be directed to the Chamber office at 652-8444 or eanycc@verizon.net

Small Business Summit Provides Great Opportunities for Local Businesses!

Small Business Summit Provides Great Opportunities for Local Businesses!

35 business people attended this morning’s (Thursday, March 8) Greater East Aurora Chamber of Commerce’s Small Business Summit with NYS Senator Patrick Gallivan & business consultant Frank Swiatek.

 Senator Gallivan discussed a variety of challenges NYS is facing that impact businesses including increased taxes and over regulation that make it more difficult for businesses to operate.

 He also discussed the disparity in representation of elected officials in Upstate New York versus Downstate and the negative impact it has on being able to address issues for upstate businesses and residents.

 Frank Swiatek presented an overview on “How to Grow Your Sales in 2018 with Six Sigma Thinking”. The presentation focused on basing business decisions on metrics and specific measureable components and that sales performance, regardless of the type of business or industry, is determined by mindset, behavior and skills and that sales results occur, good or bad, because a process is in place producing them. The more “defects” or “breakdowns” you have in the process, the poorer the results. Attendees also had the opportunity to meet one on one with Senator Gallivan and Mr. Swiatek to discuss issues specific to their business.

 

Chamber & SBA Partner for Business Matchmaker Tuesday AM

The Greater East Aurora Chamber and the SBA will be holding their business Match Maker event Tuesday (2/27) AM at the East Aurora Hampton Inn pairing businesses looking to purchase services and products with businesses who can fill those vendor needs. Over 70 “sellers” will have 3 minute appointments with 1 or all 5 of the participating buyers.

Contracting and procurement services needed vary and can include – general contracting services, architectural & engineering, construction, marketing and design services, cleaning supplies and services, uniform suppliers, office supplies and more.

This is just one of the many programs and opportunities that the Chamber works to offer its members in helping them to grow their business.