Remarks by:
Jennifer Tavares, President & CEO, Tompkins Chamber
Gary Ferguson, Executive Director, DIA
Ashley Cake, Board President, DIA
Tom Knipe, Deputy Director of Economic Development, City of Ithaca
Laura Lewis, Mayor, City of Ithaca
Steve Densmore, President, Choice Words
Amanda Heidel, Manager, Choice Words Ithaca
About Choice Words Ithaca:
Choice Words Ithaca is a grant writing and fundraising firm that helps nonprofits, educational institutions, municipalities, and businesses identify and acquire grant funding.
Choice Words Ithaca is a new business branch of Choice Words Hudson Valley that has been serving clients across New York State, with an emphasis on the Lower- and Mid-Hudson Valley for over 13 years.
Since 2013, Choice Words has helped its clients win more than $110 million in grant awards from private foundations, corporate charities, and government sources, as well as through helping municipalities, nonprofits, and for-profits prepare Consolidated Funding Applications (CSA) to access funding from New York State agencies. Choice Words’ clients have been awarded more than $52 million in CFA funding for 76 compelling projects since the company's inception.
Featured Annual Events
Economic Summit
The Tompkins Chamber presents key local issues impacting local businesses and developers, policy issues impacting the business community, and local insights from participants in a national economic outlook survey. Partnering with Ithaca Area Economic Development (IAED), the event includes important updates about our economy, workforce, upcoming projects, and strategies to move forward and achieve a sustainable economic recovery.
Annual Dinner & Awards
One of the premier business community events of the year, the Annual Meeting highlights the Chamber community and previews the goals and initiatives for the coming year. Come and celebrate the success of our business community and economic development with hundreds of local leaders and elected officials! Join us as we raise a glass to the companies, not-for-profits, and volunteers who partner with us to help our community thrive.
Golf Tournament
This day on the green combines top-notch golf with valuable networking and advertising opportunities. Held at one of the County’s finest and professionally-rated golf courses. Staggered start golf tournament with several prizes, including skins. Lunch and beverages provided.
Great Big Chamber Auction
See and be seen by the region’s top business executives and small business owners. The Great Big Chamber Thank You & Auction holds tremendous value to our sponsors, donors, and attendees as it is one of our most highly publicized and attended events. The Great Big Chamber Auction portion helps underwrite the events and programs that support our Chamber members. Traditional silent and live auction, networking, and nonprofit recognition awards.