Messages from the Board

Messages from the Rochester Chamber Board of Directors

Under the leadership of its Board of Directors and Chairman Rob Sands, Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce has adjusted operations to fully meet the advocacy and support needs of members during COVID-19 pandemic protocols. Through interviews with the Voice of Business magazine, a group of board members shared personal messages for Rochester Chamber members. Click on linked photos below to watch the full interviews.

ROB SANDS Constellation Brands Executive Chairman Rochester Chamber Chairman

“This is an unprecedented situation for businesses, and for our community. As we all navigate through our new day-to-day realities, it’s important to remain grounded in, and guided by, the values that define each of our companies. Stay connected with your employees as much as possible, and stay connected with other companies. Reach out to your fellow chamber members; we have a resilient community that works together, and rallies to support each other during challenging times. Lean on each other for support, share ideas, and leverage the power of our workforce and community. We’re in this together. "

LAUREN DIXON Dixon Schwabl CEO

“Our community has always risen. We have been through some pretty crazy things over the years. The resiliency and perseverance by leaders and team members in our community is just unbelievably great. We’ve always been a great place to live and work, and we’re going to be a better place to live and work in the future. I’m confident of that. If any community can do it, our community can.”

“We are all in this at the same time, so we can talk to each other and try to find out ways in which we can connect. As a SUNY president, I can say there is now a whole group of people who have graduated and are available for the workforce. They have shown resilience, and they have shown flexibility, and they have shown that the youngest of the newest graduates are going to be great people to work in Rochester in the future. Find them, they’re there.”

FAHEEM MASOOD ESL Federal Credit Union CEO

“I would like to congratulate the Rochester Chamber staff, doing an admirable job working remotely getting information out to businesses, trying to support them on what resources are available, what’s happening, keeping them well-informed and bringing their voice forward to our government officials, which is very important. The government plays a very important role here. I think all of us in Rochester have to remember we are in this together. I know the chamber will take a leadership role, along with many of our other institutions throughout Rochester, to provide solutions that will help in this situation. Make no mistake, these are challenging times, but when we work together, as I’m sure we will, we will find solutions. Rochester has a long history of being resilient and being able to adapt. I’m confident that we will work together to find the solutions to support each other for a better future.”

MARTY MUCCI Paychex CEO

“The bad news with this situation is it’s health related and has impacted a tremendous amount of people’s lives. That’s been very difficult. The positive side is there is not a deep financial crisis at this point that caused it like the last recession. So, I do feel we will come out of this once there’s better testing, a vaccine, and other things that will help the health situation. Just months ago, we had record low unemployment and the biggest business problem was finding people to fill jobs and the demand. So I do think it’s going to come back. It’s temporary. It’s certainly challenging and frustrating and discouraging, but I think if businesses can hold on and take advantage of all of the federal and state support, the stimulus, and certainly support from companies like Paychex, it will really make a difference as we come out of this. If you take care of your employees the best you can, and I know these businesses are, they’ll be there as we start to grow out of this.”

UPCOMING EVENTS

Networking in a Relaxed Atmosphere.

Jun. 6 • Virtual 5K Fund-Racer Jul. 23 • A Virtual Scavenger Hunt Sept. 24 • Rochester Chamber/Small Business Council Golf Scramble 2020

Discounted Member Pricing Available

Jun. 11 • Workplace After COVID-19: Redesigning Your Workplace Jun. 25 • Higher Ed., SUNY Chancellor Kristina Johnson Oct. 14 • A Keynote Address with Jeremy Bell - FBI - Buffalo Field Office / Rochester Resident Agency

Timely information on today’s hottest topics. Addressing key areas of business concern with state, local + federal influencers.

Jun. 3 & 10 • Call with Congressman Joe Morelle Jul. 16 • Madhuri Kommareddi, NYS Director of Workforce Development Dec. 10 • Melissa DeRosa, Secretary to NYS Governor Cuomo

Topical expertise to help you grow professionally. In partnership with SBC.

June. 9 • Building a Resilient Team on the Change Rollercoaster

Informed analysis and management of essential legal issues.

Jun. 12 • Reopening Rochester businesses: Mitigating risks to customers and the public

An open, interactive discussion with top executives.

Jun. 2 • Maintaining a Workplace Culture While In Transition Nov. 10 • Small Business Focus

Sept. 10 • Evaluating the Health of Your Business Oct. 15 • Best Practices Throughout the Hiring Process Nov. 12 • Digital Marketing and Why it Matters for Your Business

Signature Events

ROC TECH CONFERENCE A virtual online experience exploring the changing landscape of technology. Hit the refresh button and start transforming how you do business! Sept. 17 • ROC Tech Conference

Hands-on tours + behind-the-scenes experiences.

Jul. 30 • Railroad Beer Hall - Rohrbach Brewing Co. Oct. 8 • Love Beets

Indicates Complimentary for Rochester Chamber Member Organizations and their Staff

Celebrating the fastest-growing privately owned companies in the Greater Rochester region. Nov. 5 • 34th Annual Rochester Chamber Top 100 Awards

May. 13, 2021

Business Person of the Year Award This program recognizes small business leaders who have demonstrated success in both civic and professional areas, specifically in the areas of growth, leadership, achievement, and community service.

STAND OUT AMONG THE REST

Sponsorship opportunities are available for upcoming Greater Rochester Chamber signature events.

Don’t miss your chance to be a part of the region’s most elegant and exciting occasions. To learn more, email Susan George at Susan.George@GreaterRochesterChamber.com.

Empowering young professionals + community action.

Aug. 5 • Mindfulness @ Work Oct. 8 • Structured Networking Nov. TBD • Taking Charge: Dispelling the Myth that Management = Leadership

Discounted Member Pricing Available

Community Service & Volunteerism Program.

July-Aug• Pencils and Paper Drive Aug. 6 • Backpacks with SBC Nov. 20 & 21 • Chamber/SBC Cares

Rochester Chamber Workforce Training & Development Offerings

Successful Supervision July 14 - 28 Oct. 27 - Nov. 12

Human Resource Management June 3 - July 8

Leadership For Managers Sept. 18 - Oct. 16

All dates and programs are subject to change. Visit GreaterRochesterChamber.com for updated information

Rochester Chamber Affiliates