Business After Hours!

Wednesday, Dec. 10 | 4:30-6:30pm

We are excited to join our host, Canopy by Hilton Ithaca Downtown & The Strand Cafe! The scene at Strand Café, located inside the Canopy Hilton hotel, is welcoming to both locals and travelers with a relaxed yet refined vibe that will make you feel at home and in luxury. There will be a lovely spread of light refreshments from The Strand Café!

Tompkins Connect, our young professionals' group, will be in attendance to collect donations for the Greater Ithaca Activity Center (GIAC)'s Giving Tree. They make sure that each child gets a present this holiday season. So, we invite you to get into the holiday spirit with us by participating in the GIAC Holiday Giving Tree!

Bring your donations: See this link for suggestions from GIAC.

Financial donations are welcome: Donate Here

Thank you to our Business After Hours sponsors: Cayuga Health, Hilton Garden Inn, Travis Hyde, Sciarabba Walker & Co. LLP, and One Step Coaching and Consulting.

Upcoming Chamber Events & Opportunities

L.E.A.R.N: Marketing with Visit Ithaca!

Wednesday, Dec. 3 | 12-12:30pm

This free workshop breaks down Visit Ithaca's promotional channels, shows you how to make the most of your listings and content, and offers clear steps to elevate your visibility.

You’ll get an inside look at how Visit Ithaca supports local businesses—covering website features, social media partnerships, newsletters, digital advertising, and media outreach.

Perfect for businesses, nonprofits, attractions, hospitality partners, and anyone looking to learn more about how Visit Ithaca can help your business.

Chamber 101: Maximize Your Membership

Friday, Dec. 5 | 9:30-11am

Chamber 101 is designed for members looking to begin, continue, or further involvement with the Chamber. This event allows members to learn about Chamber programs, resources, and events and how to get involved to make the most of your membership.

Government & Community Affairs Roundtable

Monday, Dec. 8 | 12-1:15pm

Our Government & Community Affairs Roundtable features discussions focused on key state, local, and federal issues. Open to any Chamber member or municipal partner who would like to share ideas and take action. This month we will meet at The Hilton Garden Inn to discuss Just Cause Employment in the City of Ithaca. 

Thank you to our Roundtable series sponsors: BorgWarner, M&T Bank, and Rasa Spa.

Women in Business Roundtable

Thursday, Dec. 11 | 3-4:30pm

Join us for a special Women in Business Roundtable at ¡Viva! Taqueria & Cantina. We’ll gather for meaningful conversation and connection with fellow women business and nonprofit leaders.

This quarter's host, ¡Viva! Taqueria & Cantina has been serving up fresh, house-made Mexican food, tequila, margaritas and more for 30 years. They strive to create a fun, festive, comfortable and hospitable environment for their local community and visitors.

The Women in Business Roundtable series is presented by Finger Lakes Wealth Management with support from our Roundtable Series Sponsors: BorgWarner, M&T Bank, and Rasa Spa!

Ribbon Cutting for Trade Design Build's 10 Year Anniversary and New Renovation!

Friday, Dec. 12 | 3-4pm

Join Trade Design Build for a ribbon cutting and holiday open house at its newly renovated facility! Enjoy cocktails and hors d’oeuvres by Word of Mouth Catering, and get a sneak peek of Trade's new studio, cabinet and wood shop, and gallery space, curated by Corners Gallery and brought to life with plants and greenery from Michaleen’s Florist & Greenhouse.

DEI Series - Accessibility and Inclusion for Business Owners

Thursday, Dec. 18 | 12-1:30pm

The Tompkins Chamber is proud to host a DEI: Brave Space session, "Accessibility and Inclusion for Business Owners" presented by the Finger Lakes Independence Center

Join the Finger Lakes Independence Center’s Jeff Boles and Andrea Champlin for practical tips on how to increase accessibility and inclusion at your place of business. This free DEI: Brave Space session is presented by BorgWarner.

Host a Tompkins Chamber Event!



Why host an event with Tompkins Chamber? Visibility for your business, marketing to invited guests & attendees, expansion of your network, support of community, and to have fun!

Member News & Events

Did you know that 91% of food wasted by New York commercial businesses in 2022 was prepared food—yet only 2.8% was donated? Tompkins County businesses can help change that.

Friendship Donations Network (FDN) and Tompkins County Recycling & Materials Management have teamed up to make donating surplus prepared food simple, safe, and meaningful. Participating businesses receive guidance on setting up a donation process, support coordinating pickups, and tools to track their impact. Donations help feed local individuals and families, reduce waste, and even qualify as tax-deductible.

If your business produces surplus prepared food, we invite you to join this community effort.

2025 Annual December Juried Show and Reception at State of the Art Gallery

Thursday, Dec. 4 & 5

State of the Art Gallery will open the 2025 Annual December Juried Show on December 4th, with the Gallery Night Reception being on December 5th, 5-8 PM. More than sixty regional and national artists were accepted into the show.

This year 114 artists submitted over 300 pieces, from which the jury members made their choices.

$1000 in prizes will be awarded by prize judge Jessica Levin Martinez, Richard J. Schwartz Director at the Herbert Johnson Museum, Ithaca, NY. Prizes will be announced on Friday, December 5th

Holiday Sip and Flower Workshop with Eva from Business Is Blooming

Thursday, Dec. 11 | 6-8pm

Join Business is Blooming at The Falls Wine Room for a Holiday Sip and Flower Workshop! Enjoy wines selected by The Falls Wine Room while creating your own holiday centerpiece, led by Eva from Business is Blooming Floral Design Studio. All floral materials and wine are included. Signups conclude on Monday, December 8. Spots are limited!

 Be a Part of Old Greeny Fest—Waterfront Trail Venues Needed!

Calling all Ithaca businesses near the Waterfront Trail! Old Greeny Fest, a week-long celebration of performances, art, and community is coming this April, and they are searching for unique, non-traditional venues to host festival events. If your business is within one block of the Waterfront Trail and can comfortably accommodate 10+ attendees, this is a great chance to bring in new visitors, showcase your space, and join the excitement. To learn more about venue benefits and requirements fill out the form or email oldgreenyfest@outlook.com

2025 Distinguished Citizen Awards

Thursday, Dec. 11 | 5:30-8:30pm

The award honors individuals who embody the core Scouting principles of integrity, respect, service, and good citizenship in their everyday life and community work. Dr. McBean-Clairborne is a transformational leader whose decades of service have shaped Tompkins County’s commitment to equity, inclusion, and community well-being. A respected mediator, facilitator, certified mediation skills trainer, and community organizer, she has built her life’s work around the belief that meaningful change requires active participation, courageous conversations, and unwavering advocacy.

Ithaca Waldorf School Elves' Faire

Saturday, Dec. 13 | 11am-4pm

Elves of all sizes are invited to create simple, beautiful, natural-material crafts for holiday giving. The Elves’ Faire is our Parent Council’s annual winter festival of magic and craft. It is parent-run, child-centered, open to the public, and proceeds benefit our scholarship fund. The school is transformed into the Elves’ workshop, with evergreen boughs and twinkle lights highlighting our already beautiful halls and classrooms.

Reindeer Sessions by Eric Ulloa

December 3-14

Hold onto your antlers: Ithaca favorites Karl Gregory and Erica Steinhagen star in this hilariously unhinged new holiday classic. Meet Blitzen, a hard-drinking, belligerent reindeer ready to blow the roof off the Kringle-industrial complex. After North Pole HR forces him into therapy, will he finally confront his shiny-nosed demons and hoof his way back up from rock bottom? 

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Is it a holiday play, or a holiday party? YES. Enjoy merriment and seasonal treats before and after the show, plus bonus performances and a chance to mingle with the cast. Enter the code gift5 for $5 off your ticket!

All Member Job Postings on our Website

PLUS: Members can post open positions here! >



Reminder: NYS Requires a compensation range for all job postings.

Tag #workinithaca if you post on Instagram!

Live + Work in Ithaca relocation digital flipbook is available!

Your business always has access to a professionally designed digital relocation guide– for your recruiting needs, or to share with visitors who are chatting about relocating to the area. Access the guide at the link below.

Grab the digital version of the guide here >

Our team is here for you:

Just call the Chamber at 607-273-7080, or email us at info@tompkinschamber.org. For specific need areas:

Peggy Coleman, President & CEO

Rob Montana, Vice President

Aleshia Akers, Event & Program Coordinator

Gina Cesari, Member Engagement Coordinator

Shelby Green, Administrative Assistant

Kay Gutierrez, Business Manager

Maria Telincho, Marketing & Communications Specialist

Carly Hansen, Director of Operations & HR

Diane Hemly, Office Manager & Bookkeeper

Carrie Bolton, ERN Success Coach

Mary Kay Marks, ERN Project Coordinator