Business After Hours: Virtual
Host: Foodnet Meals on Wheels
Wednesday, April 14th | 5 - 6:30 p.m.

Led by Executive Director Jessica Gosa, and supported by the Tompkins County Office for the Aging, Foodnet delivers over 700 meals to 400 individuals daily - and has provided some of the most critical human services to our community throughout the pandemic.

Come hear a recap of Foodnet's Mac n' Cheese Crawl as well as inspiring reflections from their Board of Directors, sponsors and volunteers highlighting the organization's work in Tompkins County.

Thanks to our Series Sponsors: CSP Management, Rasa Spa, Ithaca Marriott Downtown, and Damiani Wine Cellers.
Welcome to Sarah Barden!

Please join the Tompkins Chamber Staff and Board of Directors in welcoming Sarah Barden to our team! Sarah will serve in the role of Member Relationship Manager, supporting and deepening relationships with existing members, as well as helping onboard new members.

Many within our network will recognize Sarah as the Owner/Operator of Ithaca is Foodies Culinary Tours. Sarah has also served as City of Ithaca Commissioner for Mobility, Accessibility, and Transportation, and currently serves as Co-Chair of the Board for Cornell Cooperative Extension. You may reach Sarah at sbarden@tompkinschamber.org.
Small Business Roundtable - In Person!
Wednesday, April 21st | 9 - 10:30 a.m.
@ The Hotel Ithaca | attendance is limited, register now

Join us for our first in-person Small Business Roundtable of 2021!

Chamber members MindWell Center and NAMI Finger Lakes will help facilitate our discussion and share local mental health resources for small business owners. Join your peer small business owners to discuss mental health resources for you and your employees in Tompkins County, and share your experiences from the last year in a safe, confidential environment.
Networking @ Noon: Manufacturing & High-Tech Sector
Celebrating Manufacturing Day
Thursday, April 22nd | Noon - 1:15 p.m.

The April 2021 Networking at Noon will be focused on Manufacturing and High-Tech Industry Insights, hosted by TST BOCES, Tompkins Workforce, Cortland Workforce and Ithaca Area Economic Development. Join the Chamber and our panelists, who will be highlighting some successes from 2020 and sharing information on the upcoming Manufacturing Day 2021.

IMPORTANT NEWS and UPDATES for YOUR BUSINESS:

New NYS Guidance Issued For:




Over Half of Tompkins County Has Received First Doses Please do what you can as an employer to encourage workforce vaccination

NYS Legalizes Recreational Marijuana Programming to come for employers, business opportunities, and more.





Scroll down for additional news, COVID-19 and vaccine updates, and funding resources.
DEI Training Series, Session 5
Recruiting a Diverse, Effective Staff
with Laura Branca
Thursday, April 29th
9 a.m. - 11 a.m.

Many organizations have the goal of having a diverse workforce. Yet, in spite of such goals and intentions, in many agencies the workplace demographics remain persistently mono-cultural...
DEI Training Series, Session 6
Hosting Honest Conversations about Identity, Race and Racism
with Dr. Paula Ioanide
Thursday, May 6th | 9 - 11 a.m.

This facilitated conversation encourages honest and non-judgemental dialogues, with a focus on how to take the lessons of the current moment and translate them into actions in our everyday lives and workplaces.
Welcome Home Wednesdays
Wednesday, May 5th | 5 - 6 p.m.

Have you relocated to the area in the past year to live or work in Tompkins County? Are you interested in learning more about what Tompkins County has to offer a first time resident or someone returning after years away? 

While the event is geared towards new residents, any resident who feels they would benefit from attending or introducing themselves to new members of our Community are welcome.
**SAVE THE DATE**

Annual Meeting & Celebration
Thursday, May 20th | 6 - 8 p.m.
Hybrid event | Hosted at Coltivare and your home!

We will be hosting a hybrid Annual Meeting & Celebration, and look forward to celebrating successes from 2020 and envisioning our continued recovery together. We will be honoring the following categories of award winners, and invite you to make nominations at the link below:
  • Distinguished Business of the Year
  • Nonprofit of the Year
  • Entrepreneur of the Year
  • The Noel Desch Key Person of the Year
OJT Grants Available
The Chamber has On-the-Job Training Grant opportunities through a United States Department of Labor funding award to the Healthy Workforce Consortium. This funding is intended to support people in recovery receiving educational and training supports, new job opportunities, and maintaining a recovery friendly workforce and employer base in Tompkins County. Funds can support new hires and promotion of existing employees.

Learn more about becoming a recovery friendly employer and receiving grant funding for your training needs!
Member Updates & Events, Development News

We provide a weekly roundup of member news. To have something included, email Jennifer.
Congratulations to Mimi's Attic on their Grand Reopening!

The Tompkins Chamber and City of Ithaca joined new owners Ian and Amanda to celebrate Mimi's Attic and their new location - 401 Elmira Rd. Visit Mimi's at their new store, their social media accounts or their website.
COVID-19, Vaccine Updates & Funding Resources
Ithaca College Plans In-Person Summer & Fall Semester; will also require student vaccinations "As we near the closure of this truly unique academic year, plans are already enthusiastically under way to move forward with an in-person 2021-22 academic year for all students and activate the full return of our vibrant, on-campus learning and living community." - President Shirley Collado

Cornell University to Require Student Vaccinations; Encourages Faculty & Staff Vaccination through Reporting Portal; Envisions In-Person Fall Semester
On Friday morning, President Pollack and Provost Kotlikoff sent the following message regarding anticipated plans for the fall 2021 semester, including a COVID-19 vaccination requirement for students, to all faculty, staff and students on the Ithaca, Geneva and Cornell Tech campuses.
April Meeting Schedule

Admin & Finance/Executive Committee
April 20th | 8 - 9:30 a.m.

Board of Directors
April 28th | 8 - 9:30 a.m.

All meetings require advance registration & will be virtual until further notice. Register with Carly Hansen at chansen@tompkinschamber.org.
Our team is here to help.

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

Sarah Barden, Member Relationship Manager
Carly Hansen, Director of Operations & HR
Diane Hemly, Office Manager & Bookkeeper
Jordan Herson, Marketing & Communications Specialist
Jennifer Tavares, CEcD, President & CEO
David Walton, Event & Program Manager

Note: Our East Shore Dr. office is staffed most weekdays from 9-5 for pick up or delivery, and our entire team is available by appointment. Please call 607-273-7080 during normal business hours.