Tioga County, NY Chamber of Commerce

Economic Forum:  The Economic Forum offered a panel of chamber members who presented information about their businesses and their views on the local economic forecast for Tioga County and the surrounding area.  Panelists were: Keystone Associates LLC, Lockheed Martin Systems Integration/Owego, Route 96 Power and Paddle and WEBO Radio 1330.

Community Activities:  The Chamber participated in many community activities in the county for special events.  To name a few, REAP Advisory Team, The Owego Strawberry Festival, 231 Main Street Renovation/Open House, O'Tannenbaum, and most recently the Lights on the River Festival.  The Lights on the River event was a collaborative program between local businesses, organizations, government and private individuals to bring holiday lighting to the downtown Owego business district.  The project became an extremely successful community event that brought several thousand people to downtown Owego to enjoy a delightful evening of music, shopping and fireworks! 

We Moved:  The Board of Directors and the membership decided that it was in the best interest of the organization to sell our building at 188 Front Street and secure space in another location.  In 2007 we sold the building and moved to a newly renovated space on North Avenue in Owego.  It took a great deal of effort on behalf of the staff and board of directors but the move was successful and the new space is outstanding.  We share the office space with Tioga County Tourism.  Our former location is now the location of a brand new and exciting retail space, Front and Center.

Spotlight on Business:  This year the Chamber began a new program called "Spotlight on Business" to focus attention on chamber members.  The recognition begins with a visit from chamber staff and an interview with WEBO Radio, plus a photo to record the prestigious event.  A marketing piece is included in the chamber newsletter and in the Owego Pennysaver.  This is a new way to recognize and appreciate our business members.  Businesses that received recognition in 2007 were:  New Vision Industries, EVA Care, Hiawatha Dental Center, Mario's Pizza, The Quality Inn, Tioga Downs Racing Gaming and Entertainment, Tri-Town Insurance, and Federal Safety Equipment.

Chamber Annual Golf Tournament:  This year the event was held at the Tioga Country Club in Nichols, NY.  It was a beautiful day and golfers enjoyed a day of golf and received many prizes donated by our generous chamber members.

 SCORE:  The Tioga Chamber continues to host SCORE counseling at the Chamber offices.  Each week counselors meet with individuals who are seeking help with their business.  Over 65 individuals met with SCORE at the Owego office.

Leadership Tioga:  Leadership Tioga graduated 20 students in May and in September of 2007 a new class began with 25 participants beginning the program.  The program began in 1999 and will be celebrating its tenth year next year.  The Tioga Chamber is the primary sponsor and administrator of the Leadership Tioga Program.

Annual Business Show:  This year the chamber went with a theme "Tioga Business 007" which focused on the James Bond movies and added a great deal of fun to the event.  The Chamber Annual Business Show was held at the Owego Treadway Inn and was the biggest and most successful event to date with over 100 businesses participating.  Each year the show grows in value and continues to be an event where businesses can showcase their products and services.  We had excellent media coverage which added to the excitement of the event.

The Chamber participates in the Tourism Advisory Board which meets monthly with the Tioga County Tourism Department to discuss upcoming tourism events in the county.  The Advisory Board supports and advises the Tourism Department on their activities.

Through the Small Business Assistance Group the Chamber helped to sponsor a new regional website for small business www.broometiogasmallbusiness.com.  This website put all of the small business partners in the Broome/Tioga area in one place and allows easy access.  This would provide information for new and expanding small businesses in our area, the site provides specifics on what each organization offers and directs them to the service provider's website.

This year the Chamber held an all time high of number of Ribbon Cutting and Grand Opening Events for area businesses.  In addition to the list the Chamber supported and attended the grand opening of Tioga Downs Racetrack and Racino.  The following is a list of event held throughout the year. Ribbon Cutting/Grand Opening and Announcements:

The Chamber fielded over 5,000 phone calls from people looking for information about the area.  The Chamber helped approximately 1,500 people who stopped in the office information and brochures.  In addition the chamber mailed out over 450 relocation packages to people asking for information about Tioga County.

As always the Chamber Board of Directors and Staff find it a pleasure to serve such a positive and effective organization.  The Chamber is dedicated to serving the community now and in the future.

Martha C. Sauerbrey
President & CEO