We welcome you to join us for the 2020 Economic Summit presented by the Tompkins Chamber and Tompkins County Area Development, with a special guest keynote speaker Russell S. Weaver, PhD. Russell is an Economic Geographer, Senior Extension Associate, in the Cornell university ILR Buffalo Co-Lab and brings a wealth of knowledge and data on revitalization in Upstate NY.
The Annual Economic Summit provides a snapshot of the local economy, highlighting the recent projects and accomplishments of our local business community and economic development.
The event will present the key local issues and policy affecting the business community as well as forecasts challenges and opportunities for business and job growth in Tompkins County.
Due to popular demand and our Economic Summit selling out previous years, The Chamber will be hosting additional morning break out sessions around four key topics specific to Tompkins County's economic landscape.
A Q&A session will be made available.
Special presentations by:
Heather McDaniel, CEcD, AICP, EDFP
President
Tompkins County Area Development (TCAD)
Jennifer Tavares, CEcD, EDFP
President & CEO
Tompkins Chamber
The Morning Sessions will Include the Following Topics:
Perspectives on the Tourism Economy & Visitor Profile - 9:00 am - 10:00 am
- Peggy Coleman, VP of Tourism, Tompkins Chamber / Visit Ithaca - Peggy will showcase data from the recently completed Visitor Profile Study and share tourism-economy related updates including on the Conference Center project.
- Dan Smalls, President, DSP Shows - Dan will talk about how DSP Shows attracts customers and visitors, and how the tourism economy intersects with his business and the impacts the arts.
Benchmarks and Projections on Housing and Development - 9:00 am - 10:00 am
- Jennifer Tavares, President & CEO, Tompkins Chamber - Jennifer will present data and highlights from a recent study commissioned by the Park Foundation, Community Foundation, and Chamber Foundation to assess housing development outcomes and solutions do develop income-appropriate housing in Tompkins County.
- David West, Senior Planner, Tompkins County - David will share a snapshot reviewing 2018 housing-related data and identify key takeaways.
Lt. Governor Kathy Hochul presents the Governor's NYS Budget - 10:15 am - 10:45 am
Barriers & Successes in Workforce Development and Attraction - 11:00 am - 12:00 noon
- Julia Mattick, Director, Tompkins County Workforce Development Board - Julia will present data contextualizing demographics and recent workforce trends. She will share information on predictions workforce size, gaps in available workforce, the aging population, and sector-based growth.
- Sue Dale-Hall, CEO, Child Development Council - Sue will share how access to quality, affordable child care is a key issue for workforce development and one that impacts most employers in Tompkins County. She will give an update on recent efforts that have been undertaken by the CDC and other community partners.
- Dominick Recckio, Director of Strategic Communications and Partnerships, Tompkins Chamber - Dominick will share data from the first year of the Live in Ithaca initiative, focusing on how attraction-marketing is driving people to consider Ithaca & Tompkins County as a great place to live and work.
Ithaca Green New Deal and Green Building Policy & Their Impact on Local Businesses and Developments - 11:00 am - 12:00 noon
- Nick Goldsmith, Sustainability Coordinator, City of Ithaca - Nick will share how the City of Ithaca will work to achieve carbon-neutrality community-wide by 2030 through policies including the Green New Deal and the Green Building Policy.
- A discussion between Nick and local business owners will be moderated by Tom Knipe, Deputy Director of Economic Development, City of Ithaca
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Recurring Events
Business After Hours
Business After Hours is our premier networking event where you can connect with dozens of Chamber members, community leaders, and potential clients. Network with professionals across the region to exchange contact details, discuss current industry trends, and generate sales leads in an informal setting.
Networking at Noon
Each month, members enjoy lunch with Chamber members while meeting new people, expanding their networking, and learning more about our diverse base of businesses and organizations in Tompkins County. Our goal is to enhance opportunities for our members to share what’s new and exciting in their workplace, discover new customers, and create meaningful connections that lead to lasting business relationships.
Community Conversations
Tompkins Chamber hosts community-specific conversations throughout the county, offering a space for businesses and leaders in our smaller municipalities to convene for hyper-local networking, conversation, mentorship, and advocacy. These events will serve as a forum for the Chamber to engage businesses who rarely attend Ithaca-based events and allow us to better understand and support the unique needs of each community.
L.E.A.R.N.
The L.E.A.R.N. professional development series is designed to give Chamber members access to tools and resources that will help them grow and strengthen their businesses. The series is made up of workshops relevant to the themes of Leadership, Equity, Action, Resilience, and Navigation.
Participants in this series enjoy the following benefits:
- Access to qualified, knowledgeable, and experienced presenters
- Clearly defined course objectives
- Relevant and timely topics
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Training Series
To aid Chamber Members’ desire to cultivate diverse, equitable, and Inclusive (DEI) workplaces, a group of experienced facilitators are partnering with the Tompkins Chamber to host a webinar series. The series has the added benefit of introducing Chamber members to local consultants and facilitators who can assist their respective businesses and organizations to develop strategic DEI plans, conduct follow up workplace trainings, and assist in recruitment/retention strategies for a diverse workforce.
Roundtable Series
Roundtables are free & for Chamber Members only.
Women in Business Roundtable
Open to all women and those who identify as female from within the Chamber’s membership base, this group includes small business owners, nonprofit leaders, managers, and women in all types of roles discussing work-life balance, gender in the workplace, and more through facilitated discussion and activities, or open sharing.
Small Business Roundtable
All Small Businesses with less than 50 employees from within the Chamber’s membership are welcome to join our Small Business Roundtable discussions. A mix of topic based and speaker facilitated discussions are blended with general roundtable sharing, mentorship, and brainstorming to result in connections and deliver information to keep moving area small businesses forward.
CEO Roundtable
CEO level discussion including leaders from the area’s largest employers and institutions, as well as area nonprofit executive directors, meet quarterly to provide important updates and discuss key community and economic concerns.
Featured Annual Events
Economic Summit
The Tompkins Chamber presents key local issues impacting local businesses and developers, policy issues impacting the business community, and local insights from participants in a national economic outlook survey. Partnering with Ithaca Area Economic Development (IAED), the event includes important updates about our economy, workforce, upcoming projects, and strategies to move forward and achieve a sustainable economic recovery.
Annual Dinner & Awards
One of the premier business community events of the year, the Annual Meeting highlights the Chamber community and previews the goals and initiatives for the coming year. Come and celebrate the success of our business community and economic development with hundreds of local leaders and elected officials! Join us as we raise a glass to the companies, not-for-profits, and volunteers who partner with us to help our community thrive.
Golf Tournament
This day on the green combines top-notch golf with valuable networking and advertising opportunities. Held at one of the County’s finest and professionally-rated golf courses. Staggered start golf tournament with several prizes, including skins. Lunch and beverages provided.
Great Big Chamber Auction
See and be seen by the region’s top business executives and small business owners. The Great Big Chamber Thank You & Auction holds tremendous value to our sponsors, donors, and attendees as it is one of our most highly publicized and attended events. The Great Big Chamber Auction portion helps underwrite the events and programs that support our Chamber members. Traditional silent and live auction, networking, and nonprofit recognition awards.