Issue link: http://visitithaca.uberflip.com/i/464557
An Innovative Future Membership Services and Program Manager Ryan McCune Tompkins Connect, a Chamber and United Way sponsored young professional networking organization, hosted 500 people at multiple social and volunteer events in 2014, representing 67 companies. It was an exciting year for the Tompkins County Chamber of Commerce. We continued to listen to members, improve our programming and event schedule and think of new and inventive ways to engage the community. Some of our events grew signicantly in their attendance in 2014, whereas others showed success in their very rst year. Our West End Block Party, with attendance well over 200 people, and our Movies in the Park series, attended by over 1,250, were perfect examples of the Chamber partnering with its members to create fun ways to network and grow Tompkins County. The Chamber's dedication to innovative member programming was rewarded, and our annual event attendance grew by over 20% in 2014. The event schedule, strong partnerships and an increased level of participation in volunteer opportunities such as the Small Business and Ambassadors Councils all contributed to what was a fantastic year for membership as well. We grew our Chamber at a greater rate in 2014 than any year since 2010. These new members have been vocal and active in helping us continue to develop new ways to bring value to the businesses of Tompkins County; a challenge we enthusiastically accept. As we look forward, we will continually look for ways to serve as many businesses and interests in Tompkins County as possible. Most importantly, we look forward to helping to connect these community stakeholders in meaningful and impactful ways so we can improve Tompkins County together.