Issue link: http://visitithaca.uberflip.com/i/779667
Jennifer Tavares President and CEO 2016 was another great year for the Chamber and CVB. Our team continues to demonstrate how creative, intel- ligent, resilient, and hard-working they are. Our annual work program is intense—and it only continues to grow as we strive to serve our stakeholders and the community. Our team has so much to be proud of, and I am so proud of them. The Chamber continued our focus on issues of import to our member businesses, non-profit organizations, and the community at large. Whether related to housing, energy, tourism, economic development, workforce recruitment, or transportation infrastructure we were at the table learn- ing, contributing, and advocating. New opportunities and partnerships emerged, and we engaged more people and promoted more businesses while executing our an- nual event and program calendar than ever before. The CVB team had another incredible year and managed a successful transition to a new leader. Our team and our Board are so happy to have Peggy Coleman with us, contributing her decades of tourism experience towards growing and promoting the Tompkins County tourism economy. Learn more about the CVB on pages 5-6. In 2017, look for new affinity programs to help save your business money, more educational and workforce devel- opment opportunities for you and your team members, and continued advocacy in the areas that matter most to our members. We'll also be updating our strategic plan, with your input. One of my greatest pleasures since joining this organi- zation has been working with the incredible people I've met in this community who give so generously of their time and precious resources. Thank you, thank you, thank you—for all you do for our Chamber and CVB, as well as for our community. We couldn't accomplish everything we do in a year without a dedicated and supportive Board of Directors, committee volunteers, and sponsor-investors… and we know that our unique, resilient, thriving communi- ty wouldn't be the same without you. Jerry Dietz Board Chair I have truly enjoyed serving as the Chair of the Chamber of Commerce Board this past year. As I look back on a very busy 2016 there is so much to be proud of as a member of the Chamber. We continue to be a strong advocate for, and partner with, the Tompkins Regional Airport. We have proven to be leaders in many areas important to local businesses; addressing area en- ergy needs, administering the On the Job Training (OJT) Program, advocacy efforts with workforce development and our prominent role in the year-end Housing Summit; all speak to an organization that is vitally involved in the community. This, combined with a full slate of education- al and social gatherings such as Business after Hours, Net- working at Noon, The Gorges Half-Marathon and Movies in the Park, provided wonderful opportunities not only to our membership but to the community-at-large as well. I feel fortunate to have the opportunity to work with Jen- nifer Tavares and Peggy Coleman and the talented staff of the Chamber of Commerce and Convention and Visitors Bureau. They have set the bar high with impressive, yet achievable, goals for the organization with an eye towards making us the 'go to' place for all things related to busi- ness and tourism in Tompkins County. I also want to take a moment to thank my fellow board members for their hard work this past year. This talented group of people has truly dedicated itself to making our Chamber of Commerce an organization that not only meets the needs of its members but one all members can be proud of. Does it sound like I enjoy my work as Chair of the Cham- ber Board…? I hope so because I've signed on to do it for another year! So here's to an even better, more pros- perous 2017! 2