Business After Hours

Wednesday, Nov. 12 | 4:30-6:30pm

We are excited to invite you to an evening of celebration and connection with our host, Beginnings Credit Union - formerly CFCU Community Credit Union! What started as Cornell Federal Credit Union, a small, member-owned cooperative with roots in education, has grown into a trusted full-service financial partner for individuals, families, and businesses across the diverse communities they serve. There will be a lovely spread of light refreshments by Serendipity Catering! Bring your business cards for an opportunity to network - we will have raffle tickets for the door prizes!

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.

From The President's Desk

Governor Hochul Announces Start of $27 Million Project to Rehabilitate Key Roadways in the City of Ithaca

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that work is underway on a $27.4 million project that will rehabilitate several key roadways in the City of Ithaca, improving resiliency and providing smoother rides along this important gateway to the Finger Lakes. The project will install new road surfaces and make other improvements to portions of Meadow Street and Fulton Street (also known as State Routes 13 and 34), as well as West Buffalo Street (also known as State Route 96) and other important roads in the city. Traffic signal improvements, lane configurations, and sidewalk upgrades will also ease congestion and enhance safety for both motorists and pedestrians.

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Upcoming Chamber Events & Opportunities

Interested in Joining Our Board of Directors?

The Chamber is excited to share that we are opening our search for members to serve on our Board of Directors! Look for an email from us this week, with all the details on what Board service entails, and how to apply for nomination. We hope you will consider supporting us in our important mission!

Apply Now

See Full Event Calendar!

Professional Headshot Sessions w/ CObP Design

Wednesday, Nov. 5 | 10-12pm

Update your professional image with quick and affordable headshot sessions provided by Chamber member photographers. November Featured Photographer: CObP Design

Brian Dudla is a photographer and graphic designer who has been living and working in the Ithaca area since the late 90s.

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Chamber 101: Maximize Your Membership

Friday, Nov. 7 | 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.

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Ribbon Cutting at Beginnings Credit Union

Wednesday Nov. 12 | 4-4:30pm

Join the Tompkins Chamber in collaboration with the Downtown Ithaca Alliance in celebrating Beginnings Credit Union with a Ribbon Cutting followed by Beginnings hosting our Business After Hours!

“At Beginnings Credit Union, we believe in the power of possibility. Today’s ribbon cutting is more than a celebration of a new name. It marks a significant milestone in our journey from CFCU Community Credit Union to Beginnings Credit Union. Our new name reflects not only our continued growth but our commitment to helping our members and community start their next journey. Since 1953, we’ve proudly served our members, and today, we renew that promise with a name that celebrates fresh starts and future possibilities.”

Community Foundation Ribbon Cutting and Unveiling of New Mural

Thursday, Nov. 13 | 2-4pm

Come celebrate and support the Community Foundation's 25th Anniversary and new mural in collaboration with The Ithaca Downtown Alliance - The Roots of Generosity mural, designed and created in partnership with Ithaca Murals and local muralist Hugo Medina, is the Community Foundation’s gift to everyone on the occasion of its 25^th anniversary. This mural celebrates the spirit of community and the power of generosity, honoring a vision where everyone has resource and opportunity to shape their own future. The mural uplifts shared responsibility—recognizing the importance of both giving and receiving, and the deep care that comes from supporting one another.

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Ribbon Cutting: Uncle Marty's New Downtown Location

Monday, Nov. 17 | 10:30-11:30am

Join the Tompkins Chamber in celebrating the expansion of Uncle Marty's! Since 2011, Uncle Marty’s is proud to be part of Ithaca’s small business community. They are active members of the Tompkins Chamber and founding members of the Collegetown Small Business Alliance and Collegetown Neighborhood Collective, working with neighbors to make the community better. Their new location is located on 704 West Buffalo St.

Community Conversations: Caroline

Friday, Nov. 14 | 9-10:30

Join your neighbors in Caroline for hyper-local networking, conversation, and advocacy at the Brooktondale Community Center. Registration is requested but the event is free and open to all; you do not need to be a Chamber member to participate.

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

LGBTQ+ Roundtable at Protagonist Books

Tuesday, Nov. 18 | 3:30-5pm

The LGBTQ+ Roundtable is the perfect platform for queer professionals to cultivate relationships, explore topics relevant to their professional journeys, and advocate for LGBTQ+ representation in Tompkins County.

Thank you to Protagonist Books & Coffee for hosting us this quarter! Thank you to our sponsors: BorgWarner, M&T Bank, and RasaSpa!

Coffee Talk: Retail & Service

Friday, Nov. 21 | 9:30-10:30am

This month we invite professionals from the Retail & Service 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!

Women in Business Roundtable

Wednesday, December 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!

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

Explore Finger Lakes Scholarship Program

Deadline: November 15

The Explore Finger Lakes Scholarship Program offers a $2,500 annual award designed to support emerging talent in tourism and hospitality across the Finger Lakes region. Residents who are either current students in their second year of a tourism/hospitality program or experienced professionals with at least two years in the field seeking further education can apply. Applicants must also demonstrate a strong interest in advancing their careers as advocates, marketers or service professionals in the region’s tourism industry.

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Happy Hour at Brookdale Senior Living

Thursdays and Fridays | 4-4:45pm

Looking for a relaxed, social atmosphere to enjoy time with your loved one? Join Brookdale Senior Living for Happy Hour!

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State of the Art Gallery Announces Three New Exhibitions

November 6 - Nov. 30

Opening Reception: Friday Nov. 7, 5-8pm

Meanderings: Ed Brothers is an oil pastelist who explores the limits of the medium in small photo-realistic pieces. His subject matter is varied, but most reflect his appreciation for the natural world.

Timeless Treasures: Nancy Ridenour enjoys photographing a variety of subjects, organizing them into themes: Lotus Pond, Florida Photography, Bergdorf Goodman Reflections, Montages, and Damaged Collectables.

An Outside Phenomenon: Christine Chin brings the outside inside with larger-than-life prints of moths and bees, giant pollen grains and multi-panel botanical prints.

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Book Holiday Parties at The Cherry Arts

Looking for an artistic spin on your event? It’s not too late to book your Holiday Party at The Cherry Arts on the banks of the Cayuga Inlet! The 3 customizable spaces (The Cherry Artspace, Gallery, and Camilla Schade Studio) come with standard inclusions like wifi, sound, a projector, and onsite parking. For more elaborate floor plans and technology add-ons, upgraded packages are also available!

Book Now

Request a Meeting or Support from SBDC Counselor Liam McMahon

Use the link below to fill out an intake for to request services or a meeting with Liam McMahon. We are excited to host SBDC Counseling three days a week, right in our office! Many thanks to our sponsor Tompkins Community Bank.

Request Services Here >

Job Postings & Relocation Support

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 >