Issue link: http://visitithaca.uberflip.com/i/779667
SBDC Partnership The Chamber continued our partnership with the Small Business Development Center in 2016, who offered hundreds of hours of technical assistance and business planning services to 66 new or start-up businesses, and 37 existing or expanding businesses at the Chamber office. The Chamber also partnered with the Small Busi- ness Development Center and Alternatives Federal Credit Union to offer business planning workshops; look forward to more offerings in 2017. Professional Development offerings from 2016 - Building Your Business for the Future - Grow Fast, Grow Smart with Renovus Energy - Quickbooks for Owners & Managers with Kurt Behrenfeld of CNY Tax Pros - Glenn Shephard: How to Supervise People & Lead a Team - Webinar: Workplace Wellness in the Era of Healthcare Escalation Hospitality Star Program: CVB Trains Front Line Staff for Partners The Ithaca/Tompkins County Convention & Visitors Bu- reau has been assisting in curating content and co-facili- tating the Hospitality Star program with Tompkins Work- force NY and TC3.biz since it was created. Cumulatively, the program has trained over 200 front-line employees through the years. "Our involvement with the Chamber's OJT grant has been nothing short of a great opportunity. The grant has provided training reimbursement for multiple new hires at Ongweoweh within the past two years. From an employer's standpoint, to be reimbursed for tasks that are already being carried out, but more importantly, to have that continued one-on-one time with new hires is a win-win." Shannon Martin, Director of Human Resources Ongweoweh Corp. "When I started my company in 2004 I immediately joined the Chamber of Commerce, spending a significant portion of my startup capital on a Membership. It was one of the best decisions I have ever made. I attended Business After Hours events regularly and there wasn't a single one where I didn't come away with at least one lead that I was later able to convert to a client engagement. 12 years later I can honestly say that my company wouldn't be where it is today without the Chamber." John Guttridge, President and Senior Consultant Brightworks Computer Consulting 10