ANNUALREPORTto Community

Greater Olean Area Chamber of Commerce

2012

2013 Greater Olean area Chamber Of COmmerCePresident ~ Vic Vena, Vic Vena Pharmacy

Vice-President ~ Jay Sorokes, Cooper Power SystemsSecretary ~ Colleen Taggerty, Olean City Schools Treasurer ~ Eric Garvin, Community Bank, N.A.............................................................................

James Bellanca, ReHabilitation CenterLouis “Ledgie” DeRose, Mazza Mechanical Services

John Gerringer, Besecker & Coss Appliances Tim O’Keefe, CUTCO Cutlery Corp.

Dennis Pezzimenti, DBP Realty Ruth Reisner, Trans Am Ambulance Services

Jim Snyder, Cattaraugus Co. Legislature Larry Sorokes, St. Bonaventure University

John Stahley, Dresser-Rand Co.Linda Witte, Mayor, City of Olean

Chamber StaffMeme Krahe

YanetskoChief Oper. Officer

Betty Burrows Administrative

AssistantPam Caldwell

BookkeeperNick GoodellFPG Director

Michelle JoyceAccountant

BrendaKasperski

Health Insurance Administrator

Nancy MorganMember Services

Coordinator

CrCf StaffKaren Niemic

Buchheit Executive DirectorRyan Michelle

Wilcox, Assistant Executive DirectorMichelle Joyce

Accountant2

Board of Directors

CHAMBER VISION

The Greater Olean Area Chamber of Commerce is

recognized as thepremiere business

leadership organization for

the advancement of the area’s economic

well being and quality of life.

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2013 CattarauGuS empire ZOne

President - Jim Snyder, Cattaraugus CountyVice-President - James Kirkpatrick

Secretary/Treasurer - Michael Higgins, Abbott Welding SupplyChairman - Norman Moore, Cattaraugus County

Dr. Michael Fischer, St. Bonaventure Univ.John Hare, Supervisor, Town of Allegany

Ray JonakDonald Giardini, Labor Local #621

Mark Saglimben, Community Bank, NAJim Snyder, Snyder Manufacturing

Gail Speedy, Universal Primary CareEdward Wilber, Dresser-Rand Company

Linda Witte, Mayor, City of Olean

2013 CattarauGuS reGiOn COmmunity fOundatiOn

President - Carol StittVice-President - Wendy Brand

Secretary - Doug Price, Hunter AgencyTreasurer - Mike Kasperski, St. Bonaventure Univ.

Vicki Blessing, Ted Branch, R. Dennis Casey, Barbara ChewDr. Tony Evans, Karen Fohl, Dr. Naheed Hilal

Dr. Yogini Kothari, Dan Palumbo, Bob Simon, Larry Sorokes, Audra Stevens, Vic Vena, Ward “Skip” Wilday

Dear Members and Friends:

Greater Olean Area Chamber of Commerce (GOACC) has completed another successful year, 2012, under the leadership of board president, Mr. Larry Sorokes, Board of Directors, volunteers and staff.

It was an interesting year, membership continued to be stable and above average, and goodbye to one employee and hello to a new one. The Chamber had forty-eight corporate sponsors and we appreciate not only the sponsorship but the continued backing/confidence from these companies. GOACC always states we have the very best members. We are grateful for their support by membership renewals and by corporate sponsorship levels.

As we move into unchartered territories with the health insurance exchange, we want you to know that our members are our first priority in any issues that we tackle. We will continue to assist our members with the choices of health insurance and help educate them on the changes to insurance coverage starting in 2014.

All 2012 events/programs had great accomplishments and I invite you to review this report to see what our staff and membership have achieved. We also added a new venture at the end of the year - Family Partners Group. Our promise to you is to continue to improve our business climate and enhance the quality of life for everyone in the Greater Olean communities.

To everyone who helped make 2012 a success, best wishes for a prosperous 2013 and thank you for your continued support.

Meme Krahe YanetskoChief Operating Officer

Greater Olean Area Chamber of Commerce120 North Union Street • Olean, NY 14760

(716) 372-4433 • www.oleanny.com

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Chamber Message‘13

CHAMBER MISSION

The Greater Olean Area Chamber of Commerce is a member-

driven business organization that provides benefits,

programs, services, and events to

enhance the area’s quality of life and economic climate.

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Membership‘12•RECORD NUMBERS -- Chamber membership ended 2012 with 705 business members representing more than 11,519 member employees. GOACC was ranked Seventh of 50 (6th place in 2011) Western New York chambers of commerce in Buffalo’s Business First. The ranking is based on number of business members.

•SIX-WEEK SEMINAR SERIES -- GOACC’s membership committee continued to host seminars every six weeks in September. Each seminar featured a topic of concern to our membership. They were held at the Chamber office at no cost for Chamber members. The seminar series began in September with the topics of ‘BE READY’ for Disasters/Emergencies; Leveraging SOCIAL MEDIA Networks; SELF DEFENSE Skills in Sixty Minutes; LEADERSHIP Skills; LEGAL SURVIVAL Tips for Your Business in this Economy. The series will continue into 2013-2014.

•CLAMBAKE HAD A MOVE! -- Officials at GOACC announced that the 44th Annual Chamber Clambake was a great success. The clambake was held Wednesday, June 13th, at new location, Premier Banquet Center, Olean. The Clambake was a great kickoff to the summer with fun, food, music and prizes for our Chamber members and guests. This year’s attendance was 632 Chamber members and guests. The event is sponsored by the forty-eight corporate sponsors.

•HOME SHOW -- The 41st Annual Greater Olean Area Home and Garden Show welcomed more than 3,864 visitors in April. A sell out show of eighty-two vendors were on hand to display and demonstrate products from hot tubs, to gardening supplies, along with heating and cooling systems.

•MEMBER BREAKFAST -- GOACC continued to meet with members to discuss their business, Chamber business and how GOACC can improve/offer more for its members.

Membership‘12

•GIFT CERTIFICATE PROGRAM -- The Greater Olean Area Chamber of Commerce Gift Certificate program had a 2012 sales figure of $379,400. The month of December had sales of $177,590. Businesses and residents’ support of the Chamber’s Gift Certificate program allow us to keep this program viable for the community. Sales come in via phone calls and emails from customers in Arizona, California, Canada, Florida, Ohio, Oklahoma, and Pennsylvania purchasing gifts for residents in the Olean area, not just during the holidays but year round. The uniqueness of the program is that it encourages redeemers of the certificates to discover products and services available at businesses in our area, businesses that support the Chamber of Commerce. After all, it is good business to do business with Chamber members. GOACC instituted the Gift Certificate Program in 1995 with certificates totaling $9,000 sold and 35 member businesses participating in the program.

•GIFT CERTIFICATE PROGRAM -- The Gift Certificate program is a proven success in sales; however, possibly a more impressive figure to our Chamber businesses is the total amount redeemed in the area. In 2012, $379,400 in gift certificates were spent at over 281 various places of business. Beauty shops, restaurants, day cares, grocery stores, little shops and big department stores all benefited from the program. Approximately $97,215 was spent in 2012 on enjoying the finest of the area’s dining. From pizza and wings to surf & turf, recipients of the gift certificates took pleasure in the delectable treats at our local restaurants.

Other facts/figures include: Dept. Stores redeemed $179,575; Hair salons - $3,240; Utilities - $5,200; and Wine/Liquor - $7,210. All that work created an appetite and the grocery stores benefited with $72,150 in sales. Look for the GOACC Membership decal in the window of the business!

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Corporate Support‘12•CORPORATE SUPPORT -- The Corporate Sponsorship Package Program is an efficient, cost-effective way for local companies to help support GOACC’s community events program. Forty-eight companies participated and is the highest number of corporate sponsors to date. GOACC appreciates not only the sponsorship but the continued backing/confidence from these companies.

The corporate sponsors benefited with increased promotion of their companies, complimentary event tickets and show/booth space. These events included Home & Garden Show, Clambake, Taste of Olean, and Annual Dinner. They also received recognition at the Santa Claus Lane Parade as holiday light contributors. A big thank you to the 2012 Corporate Sponsors:

Abbott Welding SupplyAcme Business Machines

Advanced Monolythic CeramicsAll American Water Treatment / RAINSOFT

Armor Building SupplyAT&T of Olean

AVX/ Olean Advanced ProductsBeef n’ Barrel Restaurant

Bene-Care AgencyBesecker and Coss Appliances

Buffamante Whipple Buttafaro, P.C.Cattaraugus Allegany BOCES

Close’s LumberThe Colonial Radio Group

Community Bank, NACooper Power Systems

CUTCO CorporationDr. Green Lawn/Custom Turf

Dresser-Rand Co.Duggan & Duggan Gen. Contractors

Elexco Land ServicesEnergyMark LLC

Five Star BankFox Financial

HomeCare & Hospice

Iroquois GroupJamestown Community CollegeKey BankKinley CorporationMarcella Smith - State FarmMazza Mechanical ServicesMJW Technical Services, Inc.National Grid Co.Olean Area Federal Credit UnionOlean General HospitalOlean Medical GroupOlean Times HeraldOwl HomesPark Centre DevelopmentThe ReHabilitation CenterSolEpoxy, Inc.St. Bonaventure UniversityThe ConnectionTime Warner Cable MediaTrans Am AmbulanceTroy Vincent/Edward JonesVic Vena Pharmacy / Allen’s WinesVisions HotelWMXO-FM Radio Station

New Business‘12

•FAMILY PARTNERS GROUP -- The Family Partners Group presents a community-based approach to economic development, engaging area youth and community leaders to promote local business, develop collaborative partnerships, and encourage retention of local talents through individual and group mentoring, resource development, and professional networking/coaching. By helping young people to cultivate new skills, families to thrive, and new ventures to be incubated, we ensure the community’s future success. Family Partners Group will achieve its mission of restoring community vitality in three ways: ·Optimizing community resources by establishing a collaborative infrastructure of programs and services which support emerging youth leaders and their families·Implementing business mentoring/coaching models to promote economic vitality, business creativity, social responsibility, and solutions to community challenges·Reducing chronic reliance on government and external resources by developing local resources, supporting inter-business collaboration, and developing new initiatives to meet local needs. Key components of the program: ·Design and implementation of a community-based mentoring-development program, including a network and database of local experts, agencies, leaders, and mentors who commit to working with targeted youth, families and individuals to meet their personalized goals.·Creation of a “Homegrown Talents” program that bolsters the local economy by promoting and selling local products and services; creates an inter-generational cohort of local volunteers engaged in service; and stimulates employability and life skills in emerging leaders.·Development of a support program for the generation and review of new economic-development ideas, support for business start-up, and assessment of local business strategies, utilizing the expertise of local business and professional mentor.

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Quality of Life‘12•SUCCESSFUL EVENTS -- A full complement of events held year round ranged from dinners, events, to a visit with Santa, and in between the opportunity to sell your “valuables” in the community-wide garage sale day. In 2012, the annual Good News Awards Dinner was not held. Began in 1992, the Good News recognized community members in several categories. More than 300 people were recognized throughout the 20 years the ceremony was held.

•100% INCREASE for 2012 -- Chris Napoleon of Napoleon Engineering Services was named fastest CEO in the inaugural Southern Tier Corporate Challenge Run/Walk, hosted by the Greater Olean Area Chamber of Commerce and the Olean High School Sports Boosters. The unofficial run/walk count was 611 participants representing 35 companies (up from 302 participants from 24 companies in 2011!). The event was created by GOACC with the goal of supporting companies in creating internal wellness programs. The race was open to both corporate and community teams. The 3.1-mile road race ran throughout downtown beginning and ending at JCC-Olean.

•RALLY IN THE VALLEY -- The 10th Annual Rally was a great success – the event added another official day with the Cutco/Kabar Visitors Center Warm Up Event to make it a five-day event. The event had more participants in the bike parade (75 bikes in 2010, 221 last year and 289 this year) more contests, more entertainment with the parachutists, firework, corn hole tournament and more in honor of its 10th year!

More than 1,003 participants (623 motorcycles) participated in Sunday’s event (an increase from 752 participants in 2011). With the success of the event, they will be able to gift $10,500.00 to local charities. With this year’s donations, the Rally in the Valley has been able to give more than $177,739.00 to local charities.

Community Relation‘12

•EVENT SUPPORT -- Area events that received volunteer support from GOACC staff included the City-Wide Neighborhood Cleanup, St. John’s Italian Festival, Dr. Lyle F. Renodin Foundation, Southern Tier Military Support Group, Olean Oilers, and the Gus Macker Basketball Tournament. GOACC staff members also sit on boards including: Job Employers Service Committee; OHS Sports Boosters; JCC Alumni Association; Bradner Stadium Committee; Route 219 Planning Committee; and the Olean Business Institute.

•VOLUNTEER RECOGNITION -- National Chamber Week, September 9-15, 2012 allowed the Chamber the opportunity to recognize all the volunteers who give of their time throughout the year. More than 169 community members volunteer for GOACC and its various events.

•TASTEFUL UPDATES -- The Taste of Olean Committee presented the 2012 Taste Hospitality Wall of Fame Awards to: Lou Russo; Nick Livoto; and Steve Hollowell. The Wall recognizes individuals and/or businesses who have made a significant contribution to the food service/ hospitality industry.

•SANTA CLAUS LANE -- In 2012, holiday lights once again adorned the streets of downtown. GOACC working with the City of Olean stripped the greenery off the garlands and replaced all bulbs with LED lighting. Most of the trees and stars that are placed on the light poles had their bulbs changed to LEDs as well.

•NETWORKING -- Business After Hours were well attended by members throughout the year, averaging about 84 attendees monthly. While enjoying an evening of delicious food and refreshments, BAH offers an opportunity to network with other business owners in the area. Host and fund sponsors have been secured until May 2014.

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GOACC Communications‘12•FACEBOOK -- GOACC continued its presence on Facebook, which allows the Chamber to make new connections with those that share a common interest. To date, GOACC’s facebook has 732 LIKES. In December, our facebook assisted in the sales of the shop Olean gift certificates. GOACC encourages you to LIKE US ON FACEBOOK.

•LEADERSHIP CATTARAUGUS -- Leadership Cattaraugus is designed to identify future leaders of the area and help them develop the skills they will need to work more effectively for the betterment of all the people in Cattaraugus county, fostering an impact on community development and quality of life for years to come.

Leadership Cattaraugus was jointly launched in 2004 by Jamestown Community College, The Rehabilitation Center, St. Bonaventure University, and GOACC. Leadership Cattaraugus currently has 176 alumni, that serve on over 300 Boards of Directors in the region. The Class of 2012 had an enrollment of 22.

•WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT -- GOACC has administered On-the-Job Training Programs since 1977, helping reduce the cost of training new employees. GOACC was awarded another TANF On the Job Training grant that will be able to provide funding to local employers in wage reimbursements throughout 2012. The OJT programs assisted 16 companies in Cattaraugus County and helped put 45 individuals to work, utilizing $93,000 in training funds.

•ONLINE SEMINAR -- The ReHabilitation Center, in conjunction with GOACC, presented an online seminar on Wellness in the Workplace. This new way to present information to our membership had 7 companies participate.

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A public nonprofit organization, the Cattaraugus Region Community Foundation provides administrative support to help donors create endowments and other funds for their philanthropic purposes. Each year grants from the foundation support many areas including education, scholarships, health care, the arts, community development, human service and youth development. In 2012 the CRCF board of directors awarded 221 grants totaling more than $430,000. Top grants included: •$157,794 to the Olean General Hospital to help construct the new Mildred Milliman Outpatient Surgery Center from the Mildred Milliman Fund. •$90,600 for scholarships from 14 different scholarship funds to help 25 local students pay for college.•$19,485 to the Cattaraugus Co. Arts Council from the F. Donald Kenney Fund for the So. Tier Biennial’s art show. •$8,134 from the Allegany Community Beautification Fund to the Village of Allegany to help build the village’s Santa House.•$8,000 to the Olean Meditation Center from its fund to pave the driveway to the site of the future center.•$7,140 to purchase gifts for the Santa Sheriff program from the Cattaraugus County Law Enforcement Fund.•$5,289 to the Olean Little League from the Carroll Anstaett Olean Little League Fund. Community Fund grants included:•$2,149 to Healthy Community Alliance to support Active Parenting Leader Training Workshops.•$2,000 to Southern Tier Health Care System to expand its Girls Circle Peer Support Group project through its Southern Tier Child Advocacy Center to five new sites in Cattaraugus County in 2013.•$2,000 to Cattaraugus Community Action to train and certify staff members in Financial Social Work to assist clients in their financial management capabilities.•$2,000 to Pfeiffer Nature Center to support renovations to the Center’s historic log cabin. Since its founding in 1995 the Community Foundation has awarded more than $3.6 million in grants. New funds establishedA number of new funds were created at the Foundation in 2012, including:·Cattaraugus County Law Enforcement Fund ·Challenger Learning Center Fund·Continental 1 Corridor Fund ·Cuba Lake Area Young Sailors’ Fund·Family Partners Group Fund ·Horse Resource Fund·Higgins Memorial Fund ·John Muir Book Fund·Kids and Cancer Fund ·STAB It Foundation Fund·Meals on Wheels of Catt. Co./Friends of Aging Fund ·Stitt Family Fund Building nonprofit connectionsWhile the Community Foundation is instrumental in encouraging philanthropy in the community, it also wants to find ways to help individual nonprofits increase their capacity and effectiveness through events such as the Nonprofit Networking Day, according to Karen Niemic Buchheit, CRCF executive director. In November the foundation held its second annual Nonprofit Networking Day. More than 135 representatives from nonprofit organizations in the region attended the event. Topics covered included making valuable connections, becoming a transformational board member, using technology efficiently, increasing annual fund revenue and donor relations and stewardship. The program was co-sponsored by St. Bonaventure University and the GOACC.

2003awardee

Mike Kasperski2004

awardeeDick Hellmer

2012 VOLUNTEERS

OF YEARThis year, Tracy

Baker, of Best Western University

Inn received the designation. Also

recognized was John Caldwell. John has worked for

many years behind the scenes of the

Santa Claus Lane decorations.

Chamber Volunteers‘12A Chamber salute to these

Volunteers who make it happen! Bill Aiello • Nancy/Ed Allen • Kate/Laurie Aloi • Angela Ash • John Ash • Mark Baker • Tracy Baker • John Bartimole • Dave Bauer • Ruth Baum • Barbara Beckman • Naomi/Jon Beight • Bob Bell • Jim Bellanca • Jim Bowman • Abbey Bowser • Ted/Darcy Branch • Wendy Brand • Karena Burgess • Marisa, Rachel & Terry Burrows • Luke Burton • DB/Bob Busan • Laurie Bzdak • John Caldwell • Chris Caldwell • Andy/Anne Carlson • Dave Carpenter • David Carucci • Joe Carucci • Michelle/Mike Caya • Hank, Shane, Victoria Certo • Bob/MaryAnn Chambers • Barbara Chew • Karen Coleman • Anne Conroy-Baiter • Nicole Cook • Howard Cornwall • Kelly Crandall • Jackie Czwojdak • Carmen DeGiglio • Jennifer DeLong • Ledgie DeRose • Rhonda Sue Dieter • Joe Dupe • Linda Edstrom • Laura Elliott-Engel • Tony Evans • Tim Finan • Michael Fischer • Karen Fohl • Ralph/Toni Fox • Eric Garvin • Mary George • John Gerringer • Don Giardini • Zane Garman • Mike Granger • Scott Grant • Pam Graves • Jess Gugino • Lynn/Mike Gumtow • Dave/Barb Hastings • Joseph Higgins • Michael Higgins • Naheed Hilal • Robin Hurlburt • Vicki/Tony Irizarry • Ollivene Irving • Ray Jonak • Dan/Cindy Jordan • Donna/Dave Kahm

• Matt Kahm • Mike Kasperski • Kathy Kellogg • Colleen Kent • Chris Kenyon • Keri Kerper • Dennis Jones • Kim Dubin • Jim & Marian Kirkpatrick • David Koebelin • Yogi Kothari • Mary & Ashley Krahe • David/Irene Krahe • Paul Ksionsyk • David Kwiatkowski • Randy/Kate Langdon • Beth /Jim Lee • Sue Leroy • Nancy Lewis • Carey Litteer • Bud Little • Joyce Louser • Carol Mahoney • Bret Marvin • Laurie McCarthy • Kelly McCullin • Marjorie McIntosh • Joseph McLarney • Paul Melfi • Bobbie Micros • Rhonda Monahan • Tom/Ginger Moser • Gary Nease • Mike/Sally Nenno • Jane Northrup • Rotary Club of Olean • Exchange Club of Olean • Randy/Debbie Opferbeck • Crystal Page • Daniel Palumbo • Larry/Celine Penman • Deb Perry • Dennis Pezzimenti • Candy Plants • Douglas

Price • Cattaraugus County Realtors Assoc. • Ruth Reisner • Alan Roth • Laurie Ryan • John Sayegh • Amy Schneggenburger • Terry /Allie Schnell • Don Scholla • D-Dee Scott • Larry/Jill Selph • Robert Simon • Gail Smith • Marcella Smith • Brian Snyder • Paula/James Snyder • Jim Snyder • Jay Sorokes • Larry Sorokes • Kim/Craig Southard • Gail Speedy • Mark Steffan • Audra Stevens • John Stevens • Carol Stitt • Jim Stitt, Jr. • Terri Stranburg • Christine Sweitzer • Colleen Taggerty • Megan Taylor • Fontilla Timmons • Marcia Topor • Vic Vena • Al Wager • Lanna Waterman • Darlene Wenner • Ryan/Andy Wheeler • Edward Wilber • Kathy Wilcox • Skip Wilday • Helyn Wilson • Tom/Amy Windus • Linda Witte • Donna Woodruff • Ann Marie/Dennis Wright • WXMT • Mack, Mel & Tom Yanetsko

2000awardee

Terry Grant2001

awardeeDavid Carucci

2008awardee

Amy Schneggenburger

2010awardees

Jon &Naomi Beight

2002awardees

Donna Woodruff, Ruth Baum

2005awardee

Dave Krahe2006

awardeeLarry Sorokes

2007awardees

Helyn WilsonIrene Krahe

2009awardees

Dennis Jones,Larry Penman,

Dan Jordan,Randy Langdon

2011awardee

Laurie McCarthy