Small Business Roundtable

Tuesday Aug 12 | 9-10:30am

at Museum of the Earth

Small Business Roundtable is for organization leaders and business owners/managers with 50 or fewer employees to come together and discuss challenges and share successes in their work.

Thank you to Museum of the Earth for hosting us this quarter. The Paleontological Research Institution’s Museum of the Earth was established in 2003 to provide the general public with a unique opportunity to explore our world through a mix of natural history displays, interactive science features, and art exhibitions. 

Thank you to our Roundtable series sponsors: Borgwarner, M&T Bank, and Rasa Spa, and to our Small Business Roundtable sponsor: Sciarabba Walker & Co., LLP.

Business After Hours!

Wednesday Aug 13 | 4:30-6:30pm

at La Tourelle

We are excited to join our host, La Tourelle! Nestled in the scenic Finger Lakes region, La Tourelle is an independently owned boutique hotel offering a serene retreat with a touch of luxury. At their on-site August Moon Spa, visitors enjoy rejuvenating facials, soothing massages, tranquility rooms, and herbal-infused saunas.

Also on-sight is Firelight Camps, an elevated camping experience with graceful safari tents that are furnished with hardwood floors, king or queen beds, and include a private balcony. Surrounded by lush gardens and woodland trails, La Tourelle combines natural beauty with personalized service, creating a peaceful escape minutes from downtown Ithaca.

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.

Unity in Shades Roundtable

Thursday Aug 14 | 1-2:30pm

at Tompkins Chamber offices

Our Roundtables serve as peer affinity groups, providing a confidential setting for sharing insights, seeking advice, and obtaining mentorship. This roundtable is specifically designed for Black, Indigenous, Latinx, and Asian individuals. While we encourage support and promotion from allies, participation is reserved for those who share this identity.

Thank you to the Community Foundation of Tompkins County for supporting our Unity in Shades Roundtable; and to our Series Sponsors; BorgWarner, M&T Bank, and Rasa Spa.

Coffee Talk Housing, Real Estate, Design, Architecture, & Construction

Friday Aug 22 | 9:30-10:30am

at Tompkins Chamber offices

Join the Chamber Team and peers in your industry for fresh coffee & conversation. This month we invite professionals from the Housing, Real Estate, Design, Architecture, & Construction industries to connect with friends & colleagues and expand your network in this casual environment.

Thank you to Just Be Cause Center for sponsoring the series, and Gimme Coffee for providing the coffee and pastries!

Annual Tompkins Chamber Golf Tournament!

Tuesday Sept 16 | 10 am shotgun start

Trumansburg Golf Club

Don't miss out on the Annual Tompkins Chamber Golf Tournament! This event is the perfect blend of networking, fun, and supporting our ongoing work. Get ready for a day of golf in a Captain's Crew/Best Ball format. Registration fee includes lunch, snacks, beverages, and a mouth-watering chicken BBQ dinner.

This year's tournament will be held at Trumansburg Golf Club and is presented by Coughlin & Gerhart, LLP! 

Seeing Ithaca sponsored by State of the Art Gallery

August 1-31

"Promoting our beautiful and diverse city and the artists who love it!"

Events and programs include:

• Artist Market-August 8, noon-7:30pm
• Open Artist Studios-August 10, 12-5pm
• Look Club in gallery, August 10, 2-3pm
• Presentation and reception at Kendal, August 14, 4pm
• Art in Bloom with Ithaca Garden Club in gallery, August 15-17, 12-5pm

Call for International Service Projects!

Deadline to apply is September 15, 2025.

The Rotary Club of Ithaca invites club members, local community organizations, and clubs in District 7180 to propose a project in a country other than the U.S. that will make a small but amazing difference in a global issue for the 2025-26 International Service Peacebuilding grants.

The purpose of International Service grants is to fund small-scale, short-term activities that address needs in communities outside the United States. Ideally, the community where the project is to take place has identified the need, and members of the community receiving the grant are involved in the project. Grants are awarded in the $2,000 - $5,000 range, and cannot be used for the operating expenses of another organization.

• Projects must be relevant to Peacebuilding with any of the other Rotary International Areas of Focus.

• Projects must have a Rotary connection and/or a Tompkins County area connection (project champion)

• Projects are rated on these criteria:

• Sustainable after initial project

• Measurable outcomes relevant to the Rotary International Area of Focus

• Expands partnerships with Rotary and/or the local community

• Potential for leverage and access to resources

• Success of previous projects

• Number of beneficiaries affected: multiplier effect

SouthWorks Second Annual Open House

Tuesday August 12, 3-7pm

SouthWorks invites you to its Second Annual Open House on Tuesday, August 12th from 3:00–7:00 PM. Join us for hourly site tours (closed-toed, no-heel shoes required), meet incoming businesses, and learn more about the future of the project. RSVPs are appreciated and can be submitted here. Former employees are also invited to attend and share their stories as part of celebrating the site's history.

Better Business Bureau Accreditation opportunities available for Chamber Members!

Better Business Bureau of Upstate New York (BBB) helps Tompkins Chamber members build trust with customers by promoting ethical business practices and offering dispute resolution services. Becoming BBB accredited signals to the public that a business or nonprofit meets high standards of transparency and accountability. Businesses and nonprofits that are interested in accreditation can begin the process online at "bbb.org/get-accredited". For more information contact our Membership Relations Coordinator - Gina Cesari at gcesari@tompkinschamber.org.