Rome Area Chamber of Commerce Committees:
The Planning & Action
Education Committee — Committed to young workforce development including planning a career fair and developing mentoring opportunities with local businesses for high school students. Committee also co-sponsors substance abuse awareness programs for 5th graders; chaired by Gale Barone of Rome Memorial Hospital.
Retail Promotion Committee — Commissioned a marketing survey by Zogby International and has developed an annual "Shop Rome First...And Win!" contest and promotion program, encouraging people to shop locally during the holidays to preserve jobs, create new ones and increase sales tax revenue to stabilize property taxes. Online directory of participants year-round at www.ShopRomeFirst.com; chaired by Peter Capponi of The Jewel Box.
Rome Home Show Committee — Plans, organizes and presents the show each year to encourage sales at participating exhibitors, helping those businesses to successfully promote their products and services to thousands of potential customers during one spring weekend; chaired by Laurie Fusco of Ridge Street Depot.
Honor America Days Committee — Organizes major events (Parade and Syracuse Symphony Pops Concert the last Saturday in July at Fort Stanwix). Publicizes and promotes a multitude of citywide events and activities during Rome's annual Honor America Days Celebration, in the July-August time frame, which helps boost pride, promote patriotism, and generate business.
Silent Auction & Dance Party Committee — Plans, organizes and presents an event that is the major fund raiser for the Honor America Days Celebration that involves hundreds of area businesses, organizations and individuals who generously donate items for the auction; chaired by Ann Pohl of NBT Bank.
Golf Committee — Organizes an annual golf outing to give members the opportunity to meet other members and make business contacts in a social setting. Recent outings have raised money for the Kennedy Arena renovation project and the Capitol Theatre's marquee restoration project. This year we are working with the Rome Art and Community Center to assist them in purchasing an iron fence to enclose the facility and grounds; chaired by Wesley Cupp of Rome Country Club.
Membership/Ambassadors Committee — Develops and implements programs to recruit new members and retain existing members. Organizes and enhances networking opportunities for local businesses, coordinates ribbon cuttings, grand openings, and First Dollar of Profit award presentations; chaired by Beth Luvera of First Niagara Bank.
Griffiss Support Group — Establishes and maintains a relationship that assists military and civilian leadership at Griffiss Business & Technology Park in carrying out their mutual responsibilities and conducts social programs through its Griffiss Social Activities Club, chaired by Nancy Roberts of AFRL, to enhance interaction between the military and civilian communities.
Energy Committee — Researches various aspects of energy use, conservation, policy, and resources for the purposes of maintaining a central source of information for those researching energy policy, best practices, and resources, both for home and for business; chaired by Al Zaleski.
Government Affairs Committee — Studies and speaks out on legislative issues and concerns, keeping in mind the interests of the employer community to remain competitive, maintain/increase employment, and make a profit; co-sponsors annual educational forums with the Rome BPW and schedules periodic meetings with elected officials to provide members with the opportunity to meet and establish a dialogue with their elected representatives; chaired by Tom Rahn.
Professional Development Committee — Originally established to partner with the Disney Institute to bring to Rome its renowned professional development program, "The Disney Keys to Excellence", and presented Jack Canfield, creator of the "Chicken Soup for the Soul" series. Recently partnered with the Rome City School District to bring Jay Rifenbary, author of bestseller, "No Excuse!" and The Ritz-Carlton Social Responsibility Program for a day-long presentation for the purpose of providing area business professionals unique events to learn proven techniques to maintain their competitive edge and grow stronger. "The Internet Overview: Birth through Web 2.0," workshop series was offered last year with Mid York Library System; chaired by Greg Mattacola of The Mattacola Law Firm.
Ad Hoc Committees — In response to current issues, the Chamber Board of Directors creates short term, ad hoc committees. Some of the issues studied in the recent past include, economic development, waste management, city projects, energy, historical tourism, and school options.
