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Professional Headshots

with Forest Floor Creatives

Friday, March 20 | 10am-12pm

Update your professional image with quick and affordable headshot sessions provided by Chamber member photographers. Appointment slots are 10 minutes long and advance registration and payment are required. Held at the Tompkins Chamber offices.

March Featured Photographer: Forest Floor Creatives, LLC

From The President's Desk

Just Cause Impact Survey

Please complete by Friday, March 20 | 7pm

The Tompkins Chamber is actively engaged with the City of Ithaca's Special Committee investigating the implications of ending At-Will employment and implementing Just Cause employment. As the current standard across the United States, At-Will allows employers to terminate employees at any time for legal reasons, while Just Cause requires a legitimate, job-related, proven reason for termination. 

In advance of the Chamber's presentation to the Special Committee later this month, it is gathering feedback from businesses on the potential impacts of this shift to best represent the needs of our members and partners. All responses will be anonymous and reported without identifying information.

Please take this 5-minute survey by 7pm on Friday, March 20, to help the Tompkins Chamber best represent our members and partners.

Upcoming Chamber Events & Opportunities

Women in Business Roundtable at The Cherry Arts!

Thursday, March 26 | 3-4:30pm

We’ll gather for meaningful conversation and connection with fellow women business and nonprofit leaders. The Women in Business Roundtable series is presented by Finger Lakes Wealth Management with support from our Roundtable Series Sponsors: M&T Bank, and Rasa Spa!

Coffee Talk: Human Services

Friday, March 27 | 9:30-10:30am

Join the Chamber Team and peers in your industry for fresh coffee & conversation. This month we invite professionals from the human services industry to connect with friends & colleagues. Thank you to Just Be Cause Center and Beginnings Credit Union for sponsoring the series, and Gimme Coffee for providing the coffee and pastries!

Chamber 101: Maximize Your Membership

Friday, April 3 | 9:30-11am

Chamber 101 is designed for members looking to begin, continue, or further involvement with the Chamber.

Hosted by Gina Cesari, Member Relations Coordinator.

Community Conversations: Newfield

Friday, April 10 | 9-10:30am

Join your neighbors in Newfield for hyper-local networking, conversation, and advocacy at Newfield Public Library!

Community Conversations is presented by: Visions Federal Credit Union with support from Centralus (Cayuga) Health. 

Strengthening Your Workforce with the TC ERN Success Coach

Enrollment open now for the 2026 cycle

In today’s landscape, "life happens"—but it doesn't have to lead to turnover. The Tompkins County Employer Resource Network (TC ERN) is a specialized program designed to help Chamber member organizations support their most valuable asset: their people.

Through our Success Coach model, we provide your employees with confidential, one-on-one assistance to navigate personal challenges like childcare, housing, and transportation. By removing these barriers, we help your team stay stable, focused, and present. Ready to bring this exclusive support to your organization? Enrollment is now open for the 2026 cycle.

Contact ern@tompkinschamber.org for a consultation on how to activate this benefit for your team.

Member News & Events

2026 High School Interactive Opportunity Fair

The deadline to register is March 20th

This is a fantastic and FREE chance for Tompkins County businesses to connect with 400+ motivated high school students from across the CNY area on April 28 at SUNY Cortland. Completely free to participate, you can showcase internships, apprenticeships, job shadowing, and more. Just bring an interactive booth or demo — and inspire the next generation!

Black Heritage: Unplugged

Saturday, March 21 | 12-3pm

Continue the celebration for the second gathering in the Black Heritage: Unplugged series, a community-centered event that elevates Black history, excellence, voices, and vision. In recognition of Women’s History Month, this event will feature a viewing of the documentary Free Angela Davis and All Political Prisoners, followed by a facilitated discussion. Presented by the Greater Ithaca Activities Center (GIAC) and the Clarke Africana Library at Cornell University

2026 Ithaca Retail Mini-Grant Program

Applications open now through March 27

The Downtown Ithaca Alliance (DIA), in partnership with the City of Ithaca, is celebrating the success of the 2025 Ithaca Retail Mini-Grant Program (IRMGP) and has officially opened applications for the 2026 funding cycle. The program supports local small businesses and aligns with the City’s ongoing Retail Study and Strategy to strengthen Ithaca’s retail environment and help businesses thrive.

Orangetheory Fitness Sweet Sixteen

Join between March 9-24th

Celebrate Orangetheory's Sweet Sixteenth by receiving your FIRST MONTH FREE! Sixteen years of results. Sixteen days to see why they are still the workout people are showing up for. Join between March 9th - 24th as a Premier (unlimited) member, get your First Month Free (with purchase of OTconnect Beat Performance Monitor). It’s not every day you have a birthday this big - so join them under the orange lights and find out why this community is this strong 16 years later... you've waited long enough.

SHRM Annual Legal Update

Tuesday, March 24 | 8:30-11:30am

The Society of Human Resource Management of Tompkins County will be hosting an employment law legal update. This program will offer a discussion of recent, new, and upcoming changes in labor and employment laws that affect employers of all sizes and industries. Key topics include changes to leave laws, new limitations on employer-employee loans, the Big Beautiful Bill, among others. These topics are especially relevant for business leaders, small business owners, as well as HR professionals who are navigating compliance, risk management, and day-to-day people operations.

Tompkins County Ag Summit: Farms in Transition

Wednesday, March 25 | 9:30am-4pm

Farmers, farmland owners, and farm families are invited to attend the 2026 Tompkins County Ag Summit. This year's Ag Summit will focus on practical skills for planning for the transition of farmland and farm businesses to the next generation. Speakers will include FarmNet, the NYS Agricultural Mediation Program, the American Farmland Trust, and Farm Credit East. This event is free, but registration is required.

Coffee and Conversation at Brookdale Senior Living

Thursday, March 26 | 4-5pm

Come join Brookdale Senior Living for Coffee and Conversation - A casual gathering for local professionals who help support older adults! They will discuss meaningful topics in senior care, share ideas to inspire better outcomes, and strengthen the connections that help our community thrive!

Ithaca Spring Quest

March 28 - April 18

Ithaca Spring Quest is a community-wide scavenger hunt sending families and friends on a riddle-solving adventure through Ithaca's streets, neighborhoods, and local businesses. Teams register for $45 and follow a series of clues to discover some of Ithaca's favorite spots along the way. Complete the quest and earn a surprise gift; finish in the top three and win a prize generously donated by local business partners. Ithaca Waldorf School would love to see the whole community out there exploring Ithaca together this spring!

EXPRESS NY Seeks Recommendations

Deadline for submissions: April 3

New York State is asking residents, businesses, and community leaders for ideas on how government can work better. Governor Kathy Hochul recently launched EXPRESS NY (Expediting Processes and Regulations to Enable Streamlined Services), a statewide initiative aimed at identifying outdated regulations and policies that slow down projects, create unnecessary burdens, or make it harder for businesses and communities to move forward.

If you’ve encountered regulations or processes that make it difficult to build projects, start or expand a business, or deliver services to the community, this is an opportunity to share your experience.

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!

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