To learn more on the science behind a total eclipse and safe viewing practices, visit BuffaloEclipse.org and NationalEclipse.com

What an incredible time in Western New York. Later this afternoon, we will have the first total solar eclipse pass through our region in almost one hundred years. A ton of preparation went into this over the past two years. I applaud Visit Buffalo Niagara for ensuring that our region was shown in the best possible light in the lead-up to a moment of actual darkness at 3:18pm. If anyone was out and about in the area this weekend, there is no doubt you saw and felt the excitement around the city. The number of out-of-state license plates driving around and the people walking around was truly remarkable for this once-in-a-generation event. I hope everyone takes time today to enjoy the moment with loved ones, neighbors, and friends.

Along with these office changes, we are also updating our Small Business Awards Luncheon and Showcase. This year, our event is moving up the street to a more centralized location at Salvatore's Italian Gardens on Thursday, July 18. The Salvatore family has been a longtime member of the Chamber and is excited to help us promote our incredible small businesses in this area. We have enjoyed tremendous growth with this event over the years, with over 50 showcase tables for our over 400 attendees and members to visit throughout the luncheon. The Small Business Awards luncheon is an event that goes to the root of what the Chamber is all about: fostering the growth and promotion of our business community. If there is a company you feel deserves recognition, please click here; we will have many more details and announcements to follow about this event next month.

I want to thank Daemen University for hosting our Emerging Business Leadership Symposium last month. Daemen has been an incredible partner for the Chamber, and we can't thank them enough for allowing us to work with professors and leaders from their Business School who spent the day with our members to provide insight into a variety of ways that we can all build stronger teams, and exploiting our personality traits to become better leaders. Our EBL Symposium was an open event for our entire membership, and if you have not looked into our EBL program, I'd encourage you to learn more by clicking here.

The Chamber networking events have been on fire lately. Turnout for Lunch Mob and Business After Hour each month continues to climb. We have prided ourselves in providing our members plenty of opportunities to network in more casual settings at different times throughout the day while showcasing various parts of our region. Last month, The Irishman hosted us for Lunch Mob with over 50 people in attendance, and we co-branded our Business After Hours in the new Town of Amherst community center in the Northwest part of town with Horizon Health, Sweet Home Schools, and SUNY Erie and had an incredible turnout that evening. This Wednesday, we have lunch at a historic village restaurant in Williamsville, The Eagle House. This restaurant has nearly 200 years of history in our community, and the current owners, the Hanny family, are proud to carry on past traditions. Please find time to join us for Lunch Mob this Wednesday April 10th; you can register by clicking here. If you can't make it out of the office for lunch, I hope you will consider joining us at WingNutz on Tuesday, April 16, for Business After Hours. We recently cut the ribbon to celebrate the grand opening of the first brick-and-mortar location for WingNutz, and we're thrilled they have offered to host us for a Business After Hours event. We will be in their "Room 40" space, sampling wings and other incredible menu offerings. We encourage members to bring a colleague or a friend to see what networking at the Chamber is all about.

Our women’s professional group, LIFT, is holding a Women’s Golf Clinic at Golf Dojo with their golf expert on Wednesday, May 15th. Networking, golf lesson and fundamental learning with many giveaways (including an overnight stay at Batavia Downs!) and food and drink provided by 500 Pearl will ensure this event will sell out fast. Reserve your spot today here... READ MORE.

The NYS Department of Labor WNY Business Engagement Team is partnering with NYS Assemblymember Karen McMahon’s Office to host a FREE job fair.

As a way to help encourage Americans to make plans in advance of any health crises that may occur in the future, National Healthcare Decisions Day is held every April 16. According to a national survey conducted by “The Conversation Project,” 92 percent of Americans say talking with their loved ones about end-of-life care is important, but only 32 percent have had such a conversation.

Therefore, now is a perfect time to complete a health care proxy, which allows you to appoint someone to be your health care agent and speak on your behalf if you are unable to due to illness or injury. A health care proxy isn’t just for older people or those facing serious illnesses and surgeries. Everyone over the age of 18 should appoint a health care agent.

You can also use your health care proxy to cite what types of treatments you would or would not want. For example, you could say, “If I am in a coma with no hope of recovery, I do not want to receive artificial nutrition provided by feeding tubes.”

When designating your health care agent, select someone you trust, such as a family member or close friend. Talk with them to make sure they are willing to take on this responsibility. If they agree to act as your agent, share with them your thoughts, beliefs and preferences about how you would want to be treated for the remainder of your life.

If you don’t have a health care agent, family members may disagree about the types of medical care you would want and should receive. Completing a health care proxy form can prevent confusion and help your family and friends make health care decisions for you during an already stressful time.

Health care proxy forms are available at most doctors’ offices and hospitals. In addition, you can download one by clicking here.