It’s November, and most local businesses are already gearing up for the busy holiday season ahead. What’s more – Thanksgiving comes late this year – so the season will be shorter, and we know you’re already preparing. If you have a storefront-type business we know you’ll be decorating for the holiday season, and we strongly encourage you to sign up now to participate in the CHQ Chamber’s 2024 Holiday Window Decorating Contest.

Last year we had 94 businesses entered from all over Chautauqua County. This year we hope to make it even bigger!

There is no cost to enter this contest, and you do not need to be a Chamber member business to enter.

We already know you’re creative as we had the pleasure of seeing all the fabulous ideas you came up with last year. What’s more, we know you’ll do another great job this year! So, you may as well get some attention for it and enter our contest.

Last week we unveiled our plan to use the Bandwango platform to help drive traffic into local businesses. We plan to start right away with the Holiday Window Decorating Contest. The voting system will be a little different this year, but we can tell you that we will incentivize voters to VISIT your business – not just vote from the comfort of their mobile device. Urging customers to visit small, locally owned businesses is central to our work at the CHQ Chamber. We focus year-round on how to boost local businesses.

Additional events coming up will also use our new web-based platform, so once your business is included in one, we can easily add you to additional initiatives that drive foot traffic to local retailers, restaurants and attractions.

Registration is open through the Chamber’s web calendar now at www.chqchamber.org.

BUSINESS AFTER HOURS AT SOUTHERN TIER BREWING IS NOVEMBER 13

Enjoy some great CHQ Chamber networking during one of our most popular Business After Hours events! We will hold Business After Hours at Southern Tier Brewing Company, 2072 Stoneman Drive, Lakewood, on Wednesday, November 13.

At this Business After Hours event, you’ll enjoy complimentary appetizers, a cash bar, and a chance to mingle with a wide variety of local businesspeople in a tremendous setting.

Business After Hours at Southern Tier Brewing Company is sponsored by Brooks-TLC Hospital System, Chautauqua Harbor Hotel, DFT Communications, Jamestown Community College, LaBella Associates, M&T Bank, Media One Radio Group, National Grid, Observer, The Post-Journal, and Southern Chautauqua Federal Credit Union.

Chamber member businesses may send two people for free to each Business After Hours. After that the cost is just $10 per person, or it’s $10 if you’re a non-member. We always enjoy visiting with our friends at Southern Tier Brewing Company! This event fills up quickly, so registration is strongly encouraged. Visit our web calendar at www.chqchamber.org.

NOMINATIONS OPEN NOW FOR PAM LYDIC COALITION BUILDER AWARD

Each year the CHQ Chamber presents an award in memory of the first President of the Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce, Pam Lydic. It recognizes an organization or individual in the region who has worked hard to bring groups of people together around a common goal or objective.

This award is presented to an entity or person who has helped move the region forward in a positive direction through collaboration and by building partnerships. The award is particularly focused on those who have done their work consistently and often times in the background. A typical awardee may be an ‘unsung hero’ in the community or one that has made a dramatic impact.

The award will be presented during the Chamber’s Annual Meeting in December and includes a $500 stipend to the recipient’s nonprofit of choice.

To submit an organization or individual for consideration please fill out our online form at www.chqchamber.org/award-nomination-form. Submissions must be received by November 11, 2024.

SAVE THE DATE

Save the date now for the CHQ Chamber Annual Meeting. Each year the Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce holds an Annual Meeting, designed to elect a new slate of board members and officers for the coming year. This year it will be held December 13. Very soon we will be announcing details including our special guest speaker that you won’t want to miss!