February 2014 - Tompkins County Chamber of Commerce

FEBRUARY 2014
2014
OFFICERS
Letter to the Membership
Jean McPheeters, President
Greenstreet Real Estate
Joins the Chamber
Michal May,
Esq., Chair
Levene, Gouldin &
Thompson, LLP
Anthony Hopson,
Chair Elect
Ithaca College
David Hall,
Past Chair
National Book Auctions
Mary Beth Bunge,
Vice Chair,
Membership
Alternatives Federal
Credit Union
David Makar,
Vice Chair,
Business Development
Referral Institute Ithaca
Kara Taylor,
Vice Chair
Community Relations
M&T Bank
Grace Chiang,
Treasurer
Chiang | O’Brien
Architects
Dan Governanti,
Assistant Treasurer
Kendal at Ithaca
STAFF
Jean McPheeters,
President
Marilyn Mazza,
Office Manager
Anissa Sanford,
Business Manager
Kevin Morrin,
Director of Membership
and Public Relations
Ryan McCune,
Membership Account
Executive
Patti Witten
Administrative Assistant
The Tompkins County
Chamber of Commerce
will not be responsible for
errors or omissions. The
Chamber welcomes letters
and guest opinions.
Send letters to Tompkins
County Chamber of
Commerce, 904 East
Shore Drive, Ithaca, NY
14850 or email them to
patti@tompkinschamber.
org. Submissions
must be received by
the 20th of the month
prior to publication.
The Tompkins County
Chamber of Commerce
reserves the right to edit
submissions.
The ChamberGram is an
advertising supplement
to The Ithaca Journal.
Advertising in the
ChamberGram is sold
by The Ithaca Journal.
All advertising policies
maintained by The
Ithaca Journal apply to
the publication.
NEW MEMBER PROFILES
& RIBBON CUTTINGS
FEBRUARY 2014
Interacting with entrepreneurs is
amazingly energizing. Their passion
for their ideas and their dedication to
making those ideas into functioning
businesses create a spirit of hope
and anticipation that is infectious.
The young entrepreneurs enrolled
in a class that I’m auditing at Ithaca
College are intelligent, curious, and
ambitious and their ideas are very
engaging. Instructors Brad Treat
and Tom Schryver bring structure,
questions, and real-world experience
to the class. I expect to see several
excellent companies emerge by April
or May of this year, and I wish them
luck and prosperity.
I realized that I also saw that same
spirit of entrepreneurship displayed
in the kickoff of a new program for
the Family Reading Partnership this
last week. Brigid Hubberman, the
executive director of the FRP, is a
social entrepreneur of the first order.
Their new program, Every Baby!
Every Day!, is a project to get books
and music into hands of every family
that will be welcoming a new baby
into their home in 2014 in Tompkins
County. That’s about 950 families
whose children will have a much
better chance at success in school
because they will hear words, and
learn language skills before going to
school. Best wishes on this great new
program.
Downtown Ithaca will soon be
the home of a new incubator for
entrepreneurs located on the 2nd
floor at 314 E. State/MLK St.
owned by Travis Hyde Properties.
This space is partially funded by a
grant from New York State and a
partnership of our three colleges:
Cornell University, Ithaca College
and Tompkins Cortland Community
College, and work has already begun
on building out the space. The plan
is to house entrepreneurs from about
20 new companies within the next
year or two.
Meanwhile, staff members from
our three colleges are also working
on plans for the Start-Up New York
Program that will create tax-free
zones on or near college facilities.
Regulations for this program are still
being developed, but this program
has the potential to bring business
interest from out-of-state or to
encourage entrepreneurs to create a
new business here.
I’m energized by this spirit and I
think that the increased attention
to entrepreneurship will help create
more businesses and help make this
community thrive.
Greenstreet Real Estate and Certified Buyer’s
Broker Diana Drucker offer undivided loyalty to
home buyers. With 30 years experience in real estate,
Drucker was the first broker in Tompkins County to
have a buyer’s only brokerage. “I felt that it avoided
conflict of interests and allowed me to fully focus on
the needs of buyers,” says Drucker.
A buyer’s broker finds the best property for each
buyer, having no stake in any particular property
or lending institution. Drucker says, “We offer
unbiased advice to buyers and encourage them to explore all appropriate
options.” Although Greenstreet Real Estate does not list homes, Drucker
has access to hundreds of properties as a member of the Ithaca Board of
REALTORS Multiple Listing Service and she can assist homeowners to
sell their homes.
Drucker has helped hundreds of people find their homes since 1984,
from first time buyers to experienced investors. “Buying a home should
be an exciting adventure,” she says. “I am looking forward to continuing
to provide my services to buyers. I still love Ithaca and I love real estate.”
Greenstreet Real Estate
Diana Drucker, Certified Buyer’s Broker
1187 E. Shore Dr., Ithaca, NY 14850
(607) 272-0336 | diana@realithaca.com | www.realithaca.com
The Chamber Welcomes
A2Z Marketing
If you are overwhelmed
by social networking, social
media, marketing, branding,
rebranding,messaging,
Twitter,
Facebook,
Instagram,
Yelp,
etc.,
A2Zmarketing
can
help. A2Zmarketing is a
marketing, communication,
business
and
branding
consulting company based
in Ithaca. With more than
20 years’ experience in
marketing, communications
and business development,
providing support local companies on their daily quest to stay relevant,
excite their costumers and communicate their business.
Owner Tal Oron Cohen has extensive experience with everything from
global brands like Coca Cola to local wineries and retailers. She is a multilingual executive with more than 15 years experience in international
markets, expert in analyzing new market opportunities locally and
internationally, in creating branding concepts for successful penetrations
of brands and companies, and adapting existing ones to new markets.
“There are wonderful companies here in Ithaca doing great things, but
some feel uncertain about new trends and the ever-changing markets,” she
says. “I am here to support businesses and organizations to create the right
marketing platform, to identify and explore their opportunities, and to
generate a strategic plan for success.” Cohen has vast experience with both
not-for-profit and for-profit companies, and volunteers a lot of her times to
local organizations. She adds, “I am excited about 2014, having just joined
the Chamber of Commerce and Small Business Council.”
A2Z Marketing
Tal Oren Cohen, Owner
105 Briarwood Dr. #1, Ithaca, NY 14850
(607) 229-2214 | talorco@gmail.com
Hobby Lobby Joins the Chamber
This past November, Hobby
Lobby, a 559-store chain based
in Oklahoma opened in the
former Kmart, at 744 S. Meadow
Street in Ithaca. Hobby Lobby
sells arts and crafts supplies,
fabrics, baskets, silk flowers,
needlework, picture framing,
party supplies, furniture, and
related items. A ribbon cutting
on November 4, 2013, was celebrated by many of the new store’s staff and
employees.
Hobby Lobby
744 S. Meadow Street, Ithaca, NY 14850
(405) 745-6208 | hobbylobby.com
Save the Dates
Details and more at tompkinschamber.org
Wed Feb 12
Thu Feb 13
Thu Feb 20
February 2014 Business After Hours at
Cayuga Medical Center, 5PM
2014 Economic Summit @ Lakewatch, 12
Noon
February 2014 Networking @ Noon, at
Simeon’s, 12 Noon
FEBRUARY 2014
New Members
Edward Jones Investments
Jess Esposito
414 E. Upland Rd., Ste. B, Ithaca
NY 14850 (607)
(607) 257-0320 (877) 346-1398 |
www.edwardjones.com
Financial Services - Consulting &
Planning
Jari Poulin Photography
Jari Poulin
108 W. State St. , 2nd Fl., Ithaca,
NY 14850
(607) 379-6244 | www.jaripoulin.
com
Mitsuba
Eric Jiang
2300 N. Triphammer Rd., Ithaca
NY 14850
(607) 319-0760 | www.
mitsubasushi.com
Restaurants
Plato’s Closet
Renee King
106 Fairgrounds Memorial Pkwy,
Ste. 500, Ithaca, NY 14850
(607) 273-2700 | www.
platosclosetithaca.com
Clothing, Recycling
Martha R. McNeill, Esq.
Martha McNeill
PO Box 685, Ithaca NY 14850
(607) 252-6528, (607) 679-0470
Attorneys
Featured News/Events
Chamber Board of Directors Elections
The Tompkins County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors
announced elected officers and new members for 2014 at its meeting on
December 18, 2013. The elected officers are: Chair: Michael May, Esq.;
Chair Elect: Anthony Hopson; Past Chair: David Hall; Vice Chairs: Mary
Beth Bunge, Kara Taylor, David Makar; Treasurer: Grace Chiang; Assistant
Treasurer: Dan Governanti.
Helen Talty, Vice President, Community Banking at Tompkins Trust
Company, is the newest board member. Helen has 19 years banking
experience, much of it spent working with businesses and entrepreneurs.
Helen has worked at the Trust Company since 2007, where she currently
oversees 14 retail branch offices and 90 employees. Gary Stewart, director
of Community Relations at Cornell University, transitions from ex officio
to a full member of the Chamber board of directors. Gary is active in the
Tompkins County Environmental Management Council, the Tompkins
County Climate Protection Initiative, Better Housing for Tompkins
County, the Strategic Tourism Planning Board, and Leadership Tompkins.
Winter Recess Festival for Teachers,
Feb. 14-23, 2014
The Ithaca/Tompkins County Convention and Visitors Bureau sponsors
Winter Recess, Feb. 14-23, 2014, the nation’s first and only citywide festival
for public school teachers and school district employees. Winter Recess
celebrates public school teachers and school employees with entertainment,
activities, family fun and discounts throughout the community. Pre-K
through 12 educators enjoy a discounted week of networking and fun. Join
Ithaca Teachers Association, New York State United Teachers and the
Ithaca Visitors Bureau in a complimentary welcome party on Sunday, Feb.
16 at 4PM, at the Homewood Suites by Hilton, 36 Cinema Dr., Ithaca, NY.
More at www.ithacalovesteachers.com, or call 607-272-1313.
Finger Lakes Pay It Forward: Community
Foundation of Tompkins County
Community Foundation of Tompkins
County provides confidential, no-fee
philanthropic advising to Tompkins
County Chamber members participating
in the new Finger Lakes Pay It Forward
initiative. Executive Director George P.
Ferrari, Jr., says, “As generous corporate
citizens of our community you likely
receive many requests to contribute
and make donations of all types but
you may wonder what local resources
and information are available to assist
your corporate charitable giving.”
Community Foundation is the answer, by serving as a no-fee philanthropic
advisor with comprehensive, current and critically analyzed data on local
needs, best practices and specific nonprofit agencies. Expert in exploring
with businesses and organizations how to achieve goals, Community
Foundation can create a plan that uses individual judgment, corporate
values and beliefs to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of corporate
giving. For a no obligation initial consultation, contact Community
Foundation at 607-272-9333, email gferrari@cftompkins.org.
Finger Lakes Pay It Forward is a feature of the Chamber Gram that profiles
a Chamber member business or organization which donates its “time, talent
and treasure” to both clients and to the community. To submit your business
or organization for consideration, please email patti@tompkinschamber.org.
Members News
The former Holiday Inn Ithaca Downtown is now The Hotel Ithaca,
owned and operated by Hart Hotels. The 181 room hotel is located at 222
South Cayuga Street, Ithaca, where renovations are underway and a major
expansion is planned. www.thehotelithaca.com
Triad Foundation, Inc., has announced several new promotions and
appointments. Caitlin Schryver has been promoted to Executive Director
of Triad in addition to her role as Chief Investment Officer. Stephanie
Parente has been promoted to Director of Grants Administration. Isabella
Corina has assumed additional responsibilities for systems coordination and
compliance. Jeffrey True has been appointed Communications and Program
Executive. John Dentes has been appointed as Controller, responsible for
accounting and human resources. Triad Foundation split from the Park
Foundation in 2003 to permit the two foundations to pursue the philanthropic
objectives that best reflect the diverse interests of their respective boards and
to honor the desire of its founder, the late Roy H. Park.
Ryan Garrison has been named Director of Technology at Hunt Engineers,
Architects & Land Surveyors, PC. Garrison joined HUNT in 2010. HUNT
is a professional consulting firm offering comprehensive engineering,
architectural and surveying services with NY offices in Horseheads and
Rochester, NY, and in Towanda, PA. www.hunt-eas.com
Ithaca tour operator Experience! The Finger Lakes now offers one-ofa-kind mystery tours that include stops at wineries and restaurants for
wine tasting and dinner. Winter dates are Feb. 8 and March 15, from 1-8
PM. Private tours for groups are available. For more information visit
experiencefingerlakes.com
Special Items
Deals and Savings with the Chamber
Advantage Program
The
Tompkins
County
Chamber
Advantage Program, brought to you by
CFCU Community Credit Union (www.
cfcuchamberadvantage.com), is a free
member benefit. Participating members can
expose their organization and offer(s) to
the 20,000+ employees of the Chamber membership while saving money
and encouraging commerce between member firms/organizations and the
local community. The Chamber Advantage Program not only connects your
business with other members, but also allows anyone in the community -whether they are an individual or non-member business -- to take advantage
of the products, services and experiences your business has to offer.
• Your free listing (with Chamber membership) will be promoted through
traditional media channels as well as through CFCU Community Credit
Union billing inserts.
• Post as many deals as you like and keep all of the revenue.
• Save substantially on products and services that you need.
• Deals can be viewed and redeemed by anyone, but only offered by
Chamber Members in good standing.
Sign up at www.cfcuchamberadvantage.com, create a special deal or offer,
and accept CFCU Chamber Advantage Certificates. Eligibility is limited
to Chamber members in good standing. As a new benefit of Chamber
membership, participation in this program is free for Chamber members
and their staff. If you are not currently a Chamber Member, membership is
surprisingly affordable with rates starting at as little as $1 a day. Questions?
Visit www.cfcuchamberadvantage.com or call the Chamber at 607-273-7080.
2014 Business After Hours Real Deal
12 for the price of 10! Pay just $125 for admission to Business After
Hours events in 2014. Open to Chamber members in good standing.
Deadline: Feb. 12, 2014. Register online at www.tompkinschamber.org, or
call 607-273-7080.
2014 Chamber Directory and
Community Guide
The new, 2014 Chamber Directory and Community
Guide is here! In addition to an index of Chamber
members, the guide contains valuable information on
business development, education, health care, real estate,
arts and culture, municipalities and government, a
buyer’s guide and advertiser’s index. Pick up your copies
at the Chamber, or at the next Business After Hours or
Networking at Noon event.
Ithaca is Gorges and More
Ithaca tops the rankings for College Towns in a recent College
Destinations Index from the American Institute for Economic Research
(AIER). The AIER CDI names the top 75 towns and cities in the United
States for college students. “In today’s economic climate, simply attending a
great university isn’t enough,” said Steven Cunningham, Chief Economist
at AIER. “The city or town the university is located in can have as much an
effect on a student’s experience and future prospects.” www.aer.org
The New York Times previewed Ithaca’s Annual Rutabaga Curling World
Championship (Dec. 21, 2013) in a recent in an article on winter events
in upstate NY. Rachel Harris wrote, “Champion curlers, possibly from all
over the world, will follow a toga-clad runner to light the ‘eternal rutabaga
flame’ at the Ithaca Farmers Market.” The Winter Village Bluegrass
Festival (Jan. 24 to 26) was also mentioned. nytimes.com
The History Channel’s hit original series, “American Pickers,”made a stop
in Tompkins County in an episode that aired January 22, 2014. The Ithaca/
Tompkins County CVB sent out an alert across the community in late
July to find the greatest collection of “stuff ” and suggested Brooktondale
local Tim Bard’s old family bus garage. The show has been on the air for
6 seasons, and persistently ranks as the top show on the History Channel,
bringing in over 5 million viewers each week.