As businesses are facing the challenges of a tight labor market, there are a multitude of ways for employers to separate themselves from their competitors when trying to recruit new talent to their team. At the Chamber, we have worked with many recruiters to help our members understand what today's employees seek. We have found that many employees want to understand better what your company stands for. While you might feel that providing a mission statement to potential candidates should speak for itself, it is incumbent on you as the employer to sell that mission statement to everyone you come in contact with, not just potential employees. If you project a passion and energy for what you do, it will undoubtedly flow through your organization and those you encounter. If potential job seekers can feel your passion for what you do during the interview process, it will excite them about the opportunities ahead. If you are in the process of hiring, please do not hesitate to contact our Member Services team for tips on best practices.
As we are always available to assist our businesses, we also seek to recognize businesses that have made an incredible difference in our community and have enjoyed tremendous success. Our Small Business Awards Luncheon and Showcase will be held Thursday, July 20, at Samuel's Grande Manor from 10am until 2pm. We anticipate another sellout crowd in attendance, with over 40 showcase tables of vendors throughout our region. We are still accepting nominations and encourage everyone to think of a business that truly deserves recognition. You can find our nomination form here.
Tuesday, May 16, our next Business After Hours will be hosted by WeAreBuffalo.net at the Town Square Media office in downtown Buffalo. If you are a country music fan, you will want to take advantage of the chance to network with chamber members from across the community and possibly win tickets to the Taste of Country happening June 23 at Sahlen Field. You can register here.
The Chamber just hosted another successful Lunch Mob one day before Cinco de Mayo at Deep South Taco on Ellicott Street. June’s Lunch Mob at Fresh Catch, located on the first floor of the 500 Pearl building, is on Wednesday, June 14th. We anticipate great weather, networking, and food as we stay downtown for one of the Chambers' more popular networking opportunities for members.
Our Emerging Business Leader's Board of Directors is hosting their Summer ProMix, Wednesday, June 21, at Hartman's Distilling Co. along with sponsors Spectrum Reach, Harter Secrest & Emery, NOCO, and Bank on Buffalo. While this event attracts over 100 young professionals (25-40ish), it is open to all Chamber members, and we hope you join us. In addition, Spectrum Reach will be spinning its prize wheel, and we will have plenty of opportunities for those in attendance to support our local charities through our raffle of restaurant gift certificates, hockey tickets, hotel stays, spa packages, and more.
While the Chamber remains extremely busy, we remain committed to working with like-minded partners. We are constantly engaged in our mission of building a more robust Western New York economy. Wednesday, June 7, in conjunction with the Women's Business Center at Canisius College, we will be hosting an Open ProNet/All In event open to ALL Chamber members (men and women). This past month was the culmination of many months of hard work by the Amherst Chamber working with partners, including Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz's Office of Economic Development, Erie County IDA, Buffalo State's SBDC to launch the WNYBeInBusiness.org and the Resource Navigator. Please look at this website; you will be amazed at the valuable information you can find.
As the sun shines brighter for longer, please remember my door is always open.
