We welcome you to join us for the 2021 Economic Summit presented by the Tompkins Chamber and Ithaca Area Economic Development.
The Annual Economic Summit provides a snapshot of the local economy, highlighting recent projects and accomplishments of our local business community, and providing perspective from local business leaders about the state of our economy. The event will include thoughtful presentations regarding key local issues and policy affecting the business community, as well as an overview of challenges and opportunities for business and job growth in Tompkins County.
This year we will focus on significant accomplishments from 2020 as our community navigated the public health and economic crises, our shared goals for a sustainable economic recovery, and offer sessions with presentations from area leaders on workforce conditions and needs, our tourism economy, downtown revitalization, and more.
Special presentations by:
Heather McDaniel, CEcD, AICP, EDFP
President & CEO
Ithaca Area Economic Development (IAED)
Jennifer Tavares, CEcD, EDFP
President & CEO
Tompkins Chamber
Keynote Speaker
Dr. Vicki L. Bogan, Associate Professor
Cornell University - SC Johnson School of Business
Geller Family Professor of Applied Economics and Management
Keynote Presentation: Understanding the Racial Wealth Gap: Why Does Racial Wealth Inequality Exist and Why Does It Persist?
Dr. Bogan will discuss the historical context of racial wealth inequality and the continued racial disparities that affect almost every wealth creation opportunity in our society, and will explore specific forms of institutional discrimination that hinder economic advancement and what promising types of community solutions could be put forth to address this critical issue in the U.S.
Breakout Sessions:
Envisioning Tomorrow's Workforce
Presentation & Panel Facilitation by Natalie Branosky
Workforce Development Board Executive Director
Tourism Recovery: A Look into the Future
Presentation & Panel Facilitation by
Peggy Coleman, VP Tourism & CVB Director, Visit Ithaca; Gary Ferguson, Downtown Ithaca Alliance and Dean Zervos, Owner of Simeons American Bistro
Supporting Ithaca’s Startup Ecosystem
Facilitated by Tom Schryver, Executive Director
Cornell University Center for Regional Economic Advancement (CREA)
Featuring: Tom Knipe, City of Ithaca; Chuck Schwerin, Ithaca Area Economic Development; Ken Rother, REV: Ithaca Startup Works
Join Zoom Meeting
https://cornell.zoom.us/j/96635145689?pwd=emhVdGlFVGxsUDVMendpWmF2NnZqZz09
Meeting ID: 966 3514 5689
Passcode: 994809
One tap mobile
+16468769923,,96635145689#,,,,*994809# US (New York)
9 a.m. - Noon
$40 Includes all speakers and sessions
$350 "Virtual table for 10" sponsorship
Advanced registration is required.
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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.