May08 e-newsletter

May e-newsletter

Chamber News

Chamber Seeks Nominations for Excellence in Business Awards
The Chamber is currently accepting nominations for the annual Excellence in Business Awards and Showcase on Thursday, June 12 at Columbia-Greene Community College. The event will feature awards given to local businesses for five different areas of achievement. The 2008 ceremony will include awards for Community Service, Most Promising New Business, Business Person of the Year, Small Company of the Year and Large Company of the Year. The Business Showcase will be held from 5:00 to 6:30 pm and the awards ceremony from 6:30 to 7:00 pm. Event sponsors will be able to showcase their business with a table top exhibit from 5:00 to 6:30 pm in the Professional Academic Building on the college's campus. Attendees will also enjoy wonderful hors d'oeuvres and beverages during the business showcase. Please click here for a nomination form and more information.

Leadership Columbia County Now Accepting Applications for 2008-09 Class
Leadership Columbia County is looking for candidates for the Class of 2008-09. 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 newly 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 2008-09 class. Please click here for an application.

Copake Country Club Business After Hours - May 14, 2008
Copake Country Club will host a Business After Hours on Wednesday, May 14 from 5:00 to 7:00 pm. Copake Country Club is located where Columbia County rolls into the Berkshire Mountains. A challenging 18 hole golf course, it sits beautifully alongside Copake Lake. They are convenient for golfers in New York, Massachusetts and Connecticut. Spend some time getting to know them and stop by for a fantastic golf experience in Columbia County. Business After Hours' offer excellent networking opportunities for area business people. All members of the business community are invited to attend this business event. Copake Country Club is located at 44 Golf Course Road in Copake Lake. Please click here for more information.

19th Annual Golf Tournament - May 19, 2008 - Last Chance for Early Bird Rate
Get your golf clubs ready for the 19th Annual Golf Tournament on Monday, May 19 at Columbia Golf and Country Club. Registration and lunch will begin at noon and play begins at 1:00 pm with a shotgun start. The early bird rate valid through May 9 is $140. Reservations include golf, cart, lunch, open-bar cocktail hour, and dinner. We will once again have fabulous hole-in-one prizes for this year's tournament and the $50,000 Combo Putt Off. Twelve lucky golfers will be chosen by raffle for a chance to putt for the cash. Reserve early as this is a sellout tournament. Please click here for more information.

B.E.S.T. Education Program Graduation Ceremony and Business Showcase - May 28, 2008
One of the most important factors cited by companies that are considering opening or expanding business locations is the availability of a skilled, ready workforce. The Columbia-Greene B.E.S.T. program is working to ensure that next-generation workforce by helping students develop the skills, behaviors and knowledge necessary for success in the workplace and/or college. The B.E.S.T. program combines academic performance and career exploration to help prepare students to enter the business world. The Greene and Columbia County Chambers of Commerce, the Greene County Planning & Economic Development Department and the Columbia Hudson Partnership invite Chamber businesses to attend the B.E.S.T. Business Showcase and Graduation Ceremony at the Saland Forum at Columbia-Greene Community College on Wednesday, May 28 from 5:30 to 7:00 pm. From 5:30 to 6:30 pm Greene and Columbia Chamber businesses are invited to set up free table-top displays and meet with graduating seniors from local school districts to review their resumes and B.E.S.T. portfolios. The awards ceremony will take place from 6:30 to 7:00 pm. To register for a free table and/or to attend the event free of charge, please contact the Columbia Chamber of Commerce at 518-828-4417 by May 23. If you have any questions about the B.E.S.T. program, please contact Lakia Walker, B.E.S.T. Program Coordinator by e-mail at lwalker@questar.org.

9th Annual Agricultural Awareness Tour - June 21, 2008
We invite you to join us to explore agriculture in Columbia County on the 9th annual Agricultural Awareness Tour on Saturday, June 21. The tour will depart at 10:00 am from the Columbia County Fairgrounds and return at 1:00 pm for lunch. The tour is open to Chamber members and the public. In addition to a back roads tour of the county, participants will get an in-depth look into Roxbury Farm, Gumaer Farms and Golden Harvest Farm. The cost is $15 and includes coach bus tour transportation and a "box lunch" of local products . Please click here for more information.

Chamber Night Out at the Mac-Haydn Theatre - June 20, 2008
Join us as the Mac-Haydn Theatre hosts the first Chamber Member Night Out on Friday, June 20. The Mac-Haydn Theatre is pleased to welcome Chamber members to their Ruby Jubilee 40th Anniversary Season. Mac-Haydn is the cornerstone of culture in Columbia County, and this is the 40th summer since the exciting venture of a musical theatre in Chatham first began. You are invited to share the celebration at a performance of Chorus Line, one of the most requested shows in the season's schedule. A private reception with the stars is available for Chamber members at 7:00 pm and the show begins at 8:00 pm. Tickets will be discounted, so be sure to mention you're a Chamber member! Please click here for more information.

Tri-City Valley Cats Chamber Night - July 10, 2008
The Tri-City Valley Cats are back for the summer and we want you to join us for Chamber Night on Thursday, July 10 at Joe Bruno Stadium. Enjoy an action packed evening, along with a picnic dinner and fireworks after the game! Tickets are only $15. This is a great way to reward your employees and network with other businesses in a fun and relaxed atmosphere. Please contact the Chamber at mail@columbiachamber-ny.com for more in formation.

Performing Arts Business Expo - Post Event News
The Performing Arts Collective of Columbia County a newly formed committee of the Chamber was officially launched at the Performing Arts Business Expo on Thursday, May 1 at Stageworks/Hudson. The event featured a Business Expo with tabletop exhibits and gave the business community the opportunity to learn more about the performing arts community and what's coming up for their seasons. Event emcee Assemblyman Marc Molinaro unveiled the new logo that will represent the group. Philip Morris, CEO of Proctor's Theatre addressed the audience about the economic impact of the arts. Morris spoke about how Proctor's played a central role in Schenectady's turnaround. He highlighted that the success of the project only worked because of collaboration of the entire city to achieve the main objective of revival of the downtown. Morris was recently named New York State Tourism Executive of the Year by the New York State Hospitality & Tourism Association. The Performing Arts Collective is a group of Chamber members that have joined together as an association of both professional and community-based performing arts businesses that have come together to promote and nurture the performing arts as essential to a healthy economy and cultural life in Columbia County. For more information about joining the Collective contact the Chamber at mail@columbiachamber-ny.com. Please click here to view the photo gallery.

2008 Sponsorship Opportunities
The Chamber is pleased to announce creative ways to promote your business in 2008. 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 here for a 2008 Sponsorship Form.

Promote Your Business in the July 2008 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 spring and get a great return of your investment. The next mailing will go out in July 2008. The deadline for materials is June 15. Please contact the Chamber if you are interested in promoting your business.

Chamber Stats
During the month of April the Chamber answered 650 phone calls, sent out 15 relocation guides and welcomed over 125 members to events. The Chamber website was visited over 16,326 times or an average of 544 times daily. For more information about your Chamber of Commerce contact the staff at mail@columbiachamber-ny.com.

Ribbon Cuttings

Friday, May 9 at 1:30 pm
Evenstar Book and Gift Emporium
3019A Main Street
Valatie, NY 12184

Friday, May 9, 2008 at 3:00 pm

Sycamore Garden Center & Nursery

1247 Route 9
Columbiaville, NY 12050

Saturday, May 10 at 12:00 pm
Olana State Historic Site
5720 Route 9G
Hudson, NY 12534

Thursday, May 15 at 4:00 pm
Hudson Financial, LLC

504 Warren Street
Hudson, NY 12534

Member News

Hudson Chiropractic will host the next Mini-Seminar entitled "The Big Three Diet No-No's" with Dr. Dornemann on Wednesday, May 14 from 6:30 to 8:00 pm. It will be held at Hudson Chiropractic. Learn how the Big Bad Three Dietary No-No's can effect your health and weight loss efforts. Wondering what the Big Three are? Come to the seminar and find out! For more about Hudson Chiropractic call (518) 828-2133 or visit their website at www.hudsonchiropractic.com.

The Hudson Opera House will feature Grammy Award winning pianist Paul Sullivan who will perform a benefit concert of original solo piano songs combining classical and jazz elements on Saturday, May 17 at 8:00 pm. Paul has enjoyed a richly varied and distinguished career as a composer and a pianist. His performances are tuneful, emotional, and sophisticated and combine exceptional playing with warm, witty stories and humor. For more information about the Hudson Opera House call (518) 822-1438 or visit their website at www.hudsonoperahouse.org.

Meadowgreens Restaurant will host a Dinner Comedy Show on Friday, May 9 at 6:30 pm. The show will feature comedians Pete Michaels, as seen on Late Night with Conan O'Brien & Comedy Central and Vinnie Mark, as seen on "The Late Show" with David Letterman & The Rosie O'Connell Show. Proceeds will benefit the Hudson Lions charity fund which benefits our local community. Dinner is $35 per person or $20 per person for the show only. Reservations can be made directly with Meadowgreens by calling (518) 828-0663 or contact Sharyn Marks at srrichards@yahoo.com.

The United Way of Columbia-Greene Counties will host its 77th Annual Spring Business Meeting and Recognition Reception on Saturday, May 10 from 6:00 to 9:00 pm. The event will be held at Pollace's Crystal Palace in Catskill. Special guests will include Senator Steve Saland and Senator James Seward. Tickets are $35 and the event is open to the public. For more information about the United Way of Columbia-Greene Counties call (518) 828-4200 or visit their website at www.uwcg.org.

Columbia Arts Team will host the third annual Songwriters Festival and Concert on Saturday, May 31 at the Hudson Opera House. The all-day seminar from 11:30 am to 5:00 pm is for musicians and songwriters. Aspiring songwriters and music artists will have an opportunity to pick the brains of established professionals and hit songwriters. The day features song critiques for all attendees; panel discussions on the music business and the craft of songwriting; an extensive Q&A session where attendees can get answers to their questions about the craft or the business; a live performance by the guest hit songwriters, along with background discussion about how the songs were written and their history. Following the seminar a concert will be held at 8:00 pm at the Basilica in Hudson and will feature the hitmakers performing their hits, along with the stories behind the hits. The all-day seminar is $50 and includes the evening concert and tickets for the concert are $25 at the door. For more information about Columbia Arts Team call (518) 329-5484 or visit their website at www.columbiaartsteam.org.

Hawthorne Valley School will host the 35th annual Spring Gala on Saturday, May 17. Join Hawthorne Valley for delicious food, music, dancing, entertainment and a fabulous live and silent auction. The event will be held at Catamount Ski Area in Hillsdale and begins at 6:30 pm with hors d'oeuvres and dinner. For more information about Hawthorne Valley School call (518) 672-7092 or visit their website at www.hawthornevalleyschool.org.

The Healthcare Consortium recently celebrated its 10th Anniversary of service to Columbia County at Kozel's Restaurant in Ghent. The event featured over 100 guests and a special presentation was given by Frank Pastizzo, a motivational speaker, funnyman and musician. The annual dinner meeting was the largest gathering to date for the Healthcare Consortium. For more information about the Healthcare Consortium. call (518) 822-9600 or visit their website at www.columbiahealthnet.org.

Community Events

Columbia County Council on the Arts will host ARTSCAPE, art in a landscape tour on Saturday, May 17 and Sunday, May 18 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. Artscape is a unique opportunity to view the work of 14 of the county's most famous and talented artists in their own private studio's that are open to the public only for this event. For tickets or more information about Columbia County Council on the Arts call (518) 671-6213 or visit their website at www.artscolumbia.org.

The Mac-Haydn Theatre will open their 40th season with the production of "My Fair Lady" from May 22 to June 1. On July 10, 1969, the lights came up on My Fair Lady, and its only fitting that the season opens with this wonderful show. The Lerner & Lowe classic is the endearing Pygmalion story with an inimitable score that includes: "I Could Have Danced All Night, One The Street Where You Live, and Get Me To the Church on Time". For tickets or more information about Mac-Haydn Theatre call (518) 392-9292 or visit their website at www.machaydntheatre.org.

The Columbia Land Conservancy will host the Unshad Country Barbecue on Sunday, May 25 from 4:30 to 8:00 pm at Kinderhook Farm in Ghent. Guests will enjoy a festive atmosphere featuring live music, demonstrations including blacksmithing, fly-tying, stone arch building, story tellers, a petting zoo, a birds of prey demonstration and much more. Dinner includes local grass-fed beef kabobs, salads, beans, pulled pork, barbecued chicken, and more. Delicious wines and locally brewed ales from Chatham Brewing will also be available. For more information about Columbia Land Conservancy call (518) 392-5252 or visit their website at www.clctrust.org.

Check out the Chamber's Ten Things To Do This Month in Columbia County on the homepage at www.columbiachamber-ny.com. If you would like to add an event to the June list, please contact Cheryl Meenagh at cmeenagh@columbiachamber-ny.com.

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

May and June Chamber Events

May Events

Business After Hours, May 14

5:00 - 7:00 pm
Copake Country Club
44 Golf Course Rd, Copake Lake
Reservations are not required, but appreciated.

19th Annual Golf Tournament, May 19

12:00 - Registration & Lunch
1:00 pm - Shotgun start

Columbia Golf and Country Club

295 Route 217, Claverack
The cost is $140 for members.
Early bird rate through May 9.

Click here to view the 2008 Chamber Calendar.

June Events
Excellence in Business Awards and Showcase
June 12

5:00 - 6:30 pm - Business Showcase
6:30 - 7:00 pm - Awards Ceremony

Columbia-Greene Community College
Professional Academic Building

4400 Route 23, Hudson
The cost is $10 in advance or $15 at the door.

9th Annual Agricultural Awareness Tour, June 21

Tour departs from Columbia County Fairgrounds at 10:00 am and returns at 1:00 pm
The cost is $15 and includes coach bus transportation and boxed lunch of local products.
Reservations are required by June 16.