Cortland County Chamber Joins CenterState Chamber Alliance

Alliance Delivers New Regional Connections, Member Benefits, Amplified Business Advocacy Voice to Members of CenterState CEO, Cortland, Greater Utica and Cayuga County Chambers of Commerce

The Cortland County Chamber of Commerce is the latest addition to the CenterState Chamber Alliance, furthering the reach of the already broad regional business community. Cortland joins CenterState CEO and the Cayuga County and Greater Utica Area Chambers of Commerce in offering members access to even more benefits and member-to-member connections.

“We are excited to welcome the Cortland County Chamber of Commerce as our newest partner in the CenterState Chamber Alliance,” said Jane Amico, vice president of chamber services at CenterState CEO. “This further strengthens the reach of our alliance, and broadens the benefits all of our members receive.”

As a member of the CenterState Chamber Alliance, the Cortland County Chamber will increase effectiveness and efficiency, deliver enhanced services, offer new leadership opportunities to its members, and advance opportunities for regional growth. This alliance also allows the Cortland County Chamber of Commerce to expand its advocacy role by joining the collective voice of the CenterState Chamber Alliance.

“As we look to expand the Cortland County Chamber of Commerce’s regional economic development focus, it makes sense to be part of an organization that can strengthen our members’ connections across the region,” said Bob Haight, president and CEO of the Cortland Chamber of Commerce. “Through this partnership, we have an amplified and more unified business advocacy voice, and can better position our members for future growth.”

The addition of the Cortland County Chamber of Commerce as a new alliance partner also enhances advocacy and creates greater visibility for members of the existing alliance partners. The alliance also facilitates greater collective buying power for all partner organizations through programs such as Member Advantage, which allows CenterState Chamber Alliance members the opportunity to save significantly on the day-to-day costs of running their business.

“We welcome the Cortland County Chamber to the alliance and know its support will further enhance the services we provide our members,” said Pamela G. Matt, Esq. executive director, Greater Utica Chamber of Commerce. “Through this alliance we are aligning our opportunities and services and strengthening all of the communities we serve.”

Cortland members also now have even greater opportunity to engage with other businesses across the alliance, which currently reaches from Auburn to Utica and Syracuse. This regional access encourages businesses to cross county lines to create a more robust economy. In turn, these enhanced member-to-member connections are instrumental as the CenterState Chamber Alliance advances the economic development strategy for the region.

“This new partnership is a natural progression of region’s focus on collaborating with partners throughout CenterState New York,” said Andrew Fish, executive director, Cayuga County Chamber of Commerce. “By thinking and working regionally, our members will see significant benefits from this growing alliance.”

Key benefits of the Alliance include:
• Greater member benefits – including cost savings and access to training programs
• Networking opportunities across the region
• Inclusion in a printed regional chamber directory
• Unified voice for advocacy

Under the partnership, the Cortland County Chamber of Commerce will maintain its local identity, management team, board control, member relations efforts, and services. The four organizations will actively market each other’s programs and events and promote cross-member participation. The CenterState Chamber Alliance was formally launched in June of 2012.

About CenterState CEO
CenterState CEO is a regional business leadership organization, chamber of commerce, and economic development strategist, based in Syracuse, New York. We represent members of all sizes and industries, and serve as the primary business resource and catalyst for development in a twelve-county area. We advocate for smart business, facilitate regional growth and promote community prosperity through results-driven partnerships, planning and problem solving. www.centerstateceo.com

About the Cortland County Chamber of Commerce
The Cortland County Chamber of Commerce is the voice of over 400 members in and around Cortland County. Our programs stress advocacy, member recognition, education, and networking. In short we strive to improve the business climate in our area, thereby improving the quality of life for our residents. www.cortlandareachamber.org

About the Cayuga County Chamber of Commerce
The Cayuga County Chamber of Commerce has over 400 members from across Central New York and the Finger Lakes region. The Chamber advocates as the voice of business in Cayuga County and provides value-added services to its members that improve their bottom line. With a focus on collaboration, we provide services that support economic development for the greater good of Cayuga County. Through relationship building and education, we connect individuals and companies to resources and opportunities that improve Central New York and the Finger Lakes. www.cayugacountychamber.com

About the Greater Utica Chamber of Commerce
The Greater Utica Chamber of Commerce serves the needs of its members and employers of all sizes throughout Oneida, and Herkimer counties, through benefit programs, networking opportunities and legislative advocacy. The Greater Utica Chamber represents approximately 900 businesses in a wide variety of industries and stages of their corporate development. Founded in 1896 as the Utica Area Chamber of Commerce, the Greater Utica Chamber of Commerce has represented the community for more than 115 years, and is accredited by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. www.greateruticachamber.org