Columbia COunty Chamber of Commerce
August e-newsletter

Leadership Columbia County Now Accepting Applications for 2010-11 Class
Leadership Columbia County is looking for candidates for the Class of 2010-11.  The Chamber Board feels Leadership Columbia County is vital to building strong future leaders that will work in the best interest of the community.  This enhanced program includes some of the most popular historical components, but also features new cutting edge speakers, topics and host locations. The program brings together a diverse group of professionals from financial services, education, healthcare, the arts, community organizations, government and other sectors.  We encourage all Columbia County businesses to consider sending an applicant to the program for the 2010-11 class.  Please click here for an application.

2011 Chamber Directory

Taking reservations NOW!  Reach more than 3,500 business decision makers by advertising in the 2011 Chamber Membership Directory.  Don't miss out!  Call Carol Patterson at the Chamber at (518) 828-4417 or e-mail her at cpatterson@columbiachamber-ny.com.

Chamber is Accepting Board Nominations

Columbia County Chamber of Commerce Board Chair Michael Sullivan, in accordance with Article III of the Chamber Bylaws, has appointed a Nominating Committee to prepare a ballot to fill vacant Board seats.  The Nominating Committee includes John Maiuri, Mauri Mechanical; Martha Keeler, The Bank of Greene County; Cailin Brennan, Freeman Howard, PC; Nate Winch, Kinderhook Bank and Greg Fingar, Fingar Insurance.  The Chamber is looking for individuals who are interested in taking an active role in upholding the Chamber’s mission, as well as the direction and implementation of programs of the Chamber of Commerce.  Please submit in writing any names for consideration, along with a brief description of the positive attributes the nominee could bring to the Board and the Chamber.  Self nominations are welcome.  You may reply by fax at (518)822-9539 or by e-mail at dcolby@columbiachamber-ny.com.  All nominations must be received at the Chamber office no later than 5:00 pm on August 31, 2010.

If you would like to discuss the nomination process, please call David Colby at 518-828-4417.
Victoria A. Simons Golf Tournament - August 9
You are invited to join David Colby, Roger Coleman and the rest of the Tournament Committee at the first Victoria A. Simons Locavore Award Fund Golf Tournament on Monday, August 9 at Columbia Gold and Country Club. Registration will be at 8:00 am  with a shotgun start at 9:00 am.  The registration fee is $100. Forms are available at the Chamber Office and will be mailed to Chamber Members. For more information call Terry Ackerman at 851-7502.
Olana Business After Hours - August 12
Join the Chamber as Olana hosts a Business After Hours on Thursday, August 12.  The event will run from 5:00 to 7:00 pm.  Business After Hours’ offer excellent networking opportunities for area business people.  All members of the business community are invited to attend this business event.  Hors d’oeuvres and beverages will be offered during the After Hours.  Olana is located at 5720 Route 9G, Hudson in Hudson.  There is no cost to attend, but guests are encouraged to contact the Chamber at (518) 828-4417 if they plan to attend. Please click here for more information.

Columbia-Greene Superintendents Brunch - August 19
The Columbia and Greene County Chambers of Commerce will host the 6th Annual Superintendents Brunch on Thursday, August 19 from 11:00 am to 12:30 pm.  Other topics discussed will include: an overview of Chamber programs including the B.E.S.T. Program and Pathways to Employment program. The brunch will end with a time for local education and business leaders to network. .  The brunch will be held at Columbia-Greene Community College in the Student Center.  Contact the Chamber to make a reservation at 828-4417.  Please click here for more information.
Reformed Dutch Church of Claverack Business After Hours - August 26
Join the Chamber as Reformed Dutch Church of Claverack hosts a Business After Hours on Thursday, August 26.  The event will run from 5:00 to 7:00 pm.  Business After Hours’ offer excellent networking opportunities for area business people.  All members of the business community are invited to attend this business event.  Hors d’oeuvres and beverages will be offered during the After Hours.  Reformed Dutch Church of Claverack is located at 88 Route 9H, in Claverack.  There is no cost to attend, but guests are encouraged to contact the Chamber at (518) 828-4417 if they plan to attend. Please click here for more information.

County Supervisors Reception – September 8

All public officials and Chamber members are invited to attend the annual County Supervisor’s Reception/Business After Hours on Wednesday, September 8 from 5:00 to 7:00pm. The Chamber holds this annual event to express their gratitude to the Columbia County Board of Supervisors. We encourage members to take this opportunity to network with your community leaders. The event will be held in Hudson and is free of charge. Please click here for more information.

Regional Chamber Luncheon with Bruch Piasecki- September 21
Join eight regional chambers at a special luncheon opportunity on Tuesday, September 21st.  Bruce Piasecki will speak to members of these Chambers at a luncheon held at the Desmond Hotel and Conference Center, 660 Albany Shaker Rd., Albany. Bruce Piasecki is the President and Founder of AHC Group (www.ahcgroup.com), a consulting firm specializing in environmental, energy and frugality consulting. He is also the author of several books.  Cost of the event is $50 which includes a copy of The Surprising Solution.  Please click here for more information.

Kinderhook Bank, Greenport Branch - September 22

Join the Chamber as Kinderhook Bank, Greenport Branch hosts a Business After Hours on Wednesday, September 22.  The event will run from 5:00 to 7:00 pm.  Business After Hours’ offer excellent networking opportunities for area business people.  All members of the business community are invited to attend this business event.  Hors d’oeuvres and beverages will be offered during the After Hours.  Kinderhook Bank, Greenport Branch is located at 96 Union Turnpike in Hudson.  There is no cost to attend, but guests are encouraged to contact the Chamber at (518) 828-4417 if they plan to attend. Please click here for more information.

Register for Buy Local Business Expo

The Buy Local Business Expo will be held on Thursday, October 21 at Columbia-Greene Community College. The Expo will run from 4:00 to 7:00pm and will feature over 70 booths to showcase your products and services to Columbia and Greene County businesses and residents. Reserve early as there is only a limited number of booths available. Booth prices start at $149 for members. Columbia County Bounty members can register for a booth for only $79 when serving food at the event. Sponsorship of the event starts at $249. Don’t miss this opportunity to promote your business to hundreds of local residents. Please click here for more information.

Chamber Announces 2010 Sponsorship Opportunities

The Chamber is pleased to announce creative ways to promote your business in 2010.  Don't miss this opportunity to promote your company to the Columbia County business community.  Event sponsorship enables us to provide high quality programming for our members and promotion for your business.  Click for a 2010 Sponsorship Form.

Promote Your Business in the September 2010 Chamber Connection Mailing
Are you looking for new connections?  The Chamber Connection is a great way to promote your business to over 1,000 Chamber members for only a $150.  Promote your business this fall and get a great return on your investment.  The next mailing will go out in September 2010.  The deadline for materials is August 27. Please contact the Chamber if you are interested in promoting your business.

Chamber Stats
During the month of July the Chamber answered 525 phone calls, sent out 12 relocation guides and welcomed over 75 members to events.  The Chamber website was visited over 11,262 times or an average of 375 times daily. For more information about your Chamber of Commerce contact akneller@columbiachamber-ny.com.

Member News


The Alternative Board (TAB) is expanding to the Capital Region of New York under the direction of Al Bellenchia, a 30 year business-building veteran. TAB is an organization that offers owners of small to medium-size privately owned businesses a proven path to greater business and personal success through peer advisory boards and coaching services. TAB NY Capital is currently forming a peer board in Columbia County. The board is made up of about 10 business owners, CEO’s, and presidents from non-competing businesses who meet monthly in a “think tank” atmosphere where they learn from one another and find solutions to their business issues. The board members also meet for individual coaching sessions with their facilitator and utilize TAB’s proprietary business diagnostic and planning tools to improve their businesses. Al Bellenchia states “TAB helps address a critical need for owners of many smaller privately-owned businesses: a lack of access to real-world advice from those who have been there and done that.” Please contact Al Bellenchia at (518) 758-1321 or (917) 670-6665 or email at al@tabnycapital.com

Community News

Hudson-Chatham Winery will hold their 3rd Annual Sangria Festival at the winery on Saturday, August 14, 2010. The hours are 12-5 pm. There will be multiple sangrias to sample, flamenco guitar music with Maria Zemantauski & Jose Miralles, food from Mexican Radio and others, and more!  For more information about Hudson-Chatham Winery call (518) 392-9463 or visit their website at www.hudson-chathamwinery.com.

Self Care Workshop

On Saturday August 28th physical therapist Jane Wright will be hosting a one day course in the self-care series called “Sustaining the Feminine”. This course teaches women about issues during Peri-Menopause, Menopause, and Post-Menopause. Women will learn how to treat elevated hormones, hot flushes, chronic infection, Nitrogen excesses, and how to prevent bone loss. The course will be held from 10:00am until 3:00 pm at 10 Green River Lane in Hillsdale and costs $100.00. Call (518) 672-5624 to register or email Jane at jane@janewrighrpt.com

Kinderhook Bank will be supporting the Seventh Annual Columbia-Greene Humane Society/SPCA “Summer Paw Picnic” on Saturday August 14th from 11:00am until 4:00pm. The picnic will be held at Waldorf Farm in North Chatham with a live concert from legendary entertainer David Cassidy starting at 4:00pm. Advanced tickets are $60 for adults and $10 for children 11 years old and younger. Tickets can also be purchased at the door and are $70 for adults and $15 for children. The event offers gourmet picnic fare, a live auction, children’s activities, and live music. Call CGHS/SPCA at (518) 828-6044 to reserve your tickets or for more information.

Come enjoy an outdoor movie hosted by TSL located in The Pocket Park on 330 Warren Street. There are three very entertaining movies playing this August. On Aug. 6th Kiss Me Kate will be played which tells the story of two once-married, now divorced stage actors who perform opposite each other in a Broadway version of Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Screw and whose story hilariously parallels that of the play in which they co-star. On Aug. 20th March of the Penguins will be shown, a film that follows the remarkable lives of King Penguins as they survive and raise their young in one of the harshest environments on Earth - Antarctica. On Aug. 27th the film Ratatouille will be shown which tells the story of a rat who dreams of becoming a top chef in Paris. Films are free to the public and start at 8:00pm, or whenever it gets dark. For more information call (518) 822-8448 or visit www.timeandspace.org


If you would like to submit information for the member news section please email to akneller@columbiachamber-ny.com.

August and September Events

August Events

Business After Hours - August 12

5:00 - 7:00 pm
Olana
5720 Route 9G, Hudson

Reservations are not required, but appreciated.

Columbia-Greene Superintendents Brunch
August 19
11:00 am to 12:30 pm
Columbia-Greene Community College

4400 Route 23, Hudson
The cost is $15
Contact the Columbia County Chamber to reserve.

Business After Hours - August 26
5:00 - 7:00 pm
Reformed Dutch Church of Claverack
88 Route 9H, Claverack
Reservations are not required, but appreciated.

September Events
County Supervisor's Reception - September 8

5:00 - 7:00 pm

Reservations are not required, but appreciated.

Regional Chamber Luncheon with Bruch Piasecki- September 21

Registration is from 11:00 - 11:30

Lunch is 11:30 - 12:00

Program is 12:00 - 1:00.

Cost of the event is $50

Contact the Chamber to Reserve

Business After Hours - September 22

5:00 - 7:00 pm

Kinderhook Bank - Greenport Branch

96 Union Turnpike, Hudson

Reservations are not required, but appreciated.

 

Please click here for our 2010 Chamber Calendar.
 
 ALL CONTENT HEREIN COPYRIGHT © 2005 COLUMBIA COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE