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The ARCC Blog - adk-chamber.blogspot.com. The blog is our way of communicating what the ARCC and its members are up to. Enjoy photos from events and video clips via a YouTube. We have links to news items, updates on relevant issues such as workers’ comp happenings, local government and, of course, regional business issues. Stay tuned for a beefy Member-to-Member (M2M) section and an area dedicated to highlighting achievements and accolades for our members. A blog just wouldn’t be a blog without a little humor. Keep your eye out for a section featuring calls received at the ARCC: Good morning, Chamber of Commerce. How may I help you?” “What time do they open the gates of the Adirondack Park?” And commentary: We may not have Don Coyote, but doggone it, we have opinions. We don’t have cigars, but we’d sure welcome your comments. We look forward to blogging with you and for you!

Getting the Job (done)...

The ARCC is proud to announce the launch of the Washington-Warren County Job Zone, a site dedicated to supporting the efforts of member companies to recruit new employees as the needs of their organizations evolve. The site features a search function for job seekers and posting opportunities for member employers. The site links to the ARCC website, which will in turn link job seekers to our members’ websites. Click on http://arcc.myjobzone.net/ to access this ARCC member benefit.

FREE Business Counseling Available Through SCORE: The ARCC provides members and non-members, current small business owners, and those entrepreneurs with an idea for a new venture with access to counseling through the Service Core of Retired Executives (SCORE). To set up an appointment, please contact Bill Edwards at (518) 893-7364.

Other business counseling and mentoring opportunities are available through a number of chamber members. Please access the "Membership Search" tab at left and select "Consultants."

Reduce Your Energy Costs - The Chamber's energy alliance program is already helping some 60+ local Chamber members to save an estimated $175,000 on their annual utility bills. If your company wants to see whether or not you too can lower your utility bills, please contact Patti Pepe to obtain a participation authorization form that will enable our consultants to prepare a pricing offer for your review.

2009 ARCC Quality of Life Guide - The thirteenth edition of the ARCC’s highly acclaimed Quality of Life Guide will be available at the beginning of February, 2009. This full-color publication will contain a list of all ARCC members as of Dec. 31, 2008 in addition to a new format. A copy will be mailed to every ARCC member, and more will be available at the Chamber offices. Copies of the 2008 magazine are still available. Please contact Steve Collyer at 798-1761 for advertising information.

2008 Washington County Quality of Life Guide is due out in September and will sport a new format and some great photos! For more information on the 2008 issue, contact Steve Collyer at 798-1761.

Welcome Home - Warren & Washington Counties: Each year on average, nearly 1,000 single-family homes are sold in Washington and Warren Counties. At the same time, the number of people employed in our region has been on the rise, leading New York state year-after-year since 2005. In response to this growth trend, the ARCC has launched a “Welcome Home” initiative that includes...

The Adirondack and Washington County Business Shows: The 2008 Adirondack Business Show is October 16th at The Queensbury Hotel. To print the registration form, click here. For information contact Tori Riley at 798-1761. This year's Washington County Show on Feb. 28 was sold out once again, but hundreds of local businesspeople enjoyed this free networking event at Rainer's Gourmet Inspirations in Hudson Falls. 

Thursday, November 6: REGIONAL AGRICULTURAL & TOURISM SHOWCASE @ Christ the King Spiritual Life Center, 575 Burton Rd., Easton. Exhibiting the region's "Gems": Lodging, attractions, farm tours and products to better promote what the area has to offer to both residents and visitors. Explore our quality of life with style! Exhibitor set-up 2-3 p.m.; and networking 3-4; Showcase open to the public 4-6 p.m. To print the registration form click here. For more information contact Tori Riley at 798-1761.  

The Adirondack Business Council Small Business Awards Breakfast and the  Washington County Business Council Small Business Awards Luncheon: On May 13, the ABC presented its 2008 small business awards at a breakfast in the Room of the White Lions at the Fort William Henry Resort in Lake George. This year's recipients are: Reliable Racing Supply Inc./Inside Edge Ski & Bike Shop; Whittemore, Dowen & Ricciardelli LLC; and TreePaad Family Entertainment Center.

In December the Washington County Business Council will present its 2008 awards at a luncheon. To print the nomination form for the 2008 Washington County Small Business Award, click here. The nomination deadline is September 30. For more information on either of these events, please contact Tori Riley at 798-1761 or access the ARCC events page at left.

Member-to-Member Discounts - If you are an ARCC member, please call the the chamber at 798-1761 to obtain FREE "Member to Member Discount Cards" for you and your employees. There are currently dozens of area businesses offering discounts on a range of products and services of direct value to local residents and business owners, including... 

ARCC Member Events Page - Extra, Extra. The ARCC Events page is just waiting for you to visit and register the details for your next event. It’s easy. Seriously. You just jot the date, time, location and juicy details about your next event; stroll over to a computer with an Internet connection, log on to the ARCC Member Events page and start typing. Once you’ve entered your information, it is sent to Amanda Magee. She logs on, looks it over and sends it live. We strive to communicate within our offices to make sure our entire staff knows about Ribbon Cuttings, Grand Openings, and Anniversaries etc. Use the site, contact our staff. We are here, in person and online to help support your business and the events you present. If you would like to find out about Ambassadors attending an event please contact Tori Riley at triley@adirondackchamber.org or call her at 798-1761. If you have a question or comment about the Chamber Events page then contact Steve Collyer at 798-1761 or scollyer@adirondackchamber.org.

Networking Mixers - Every month, the ARCC hosts a B2B networking mixer from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., usually on the "Third Thursday" of the month at a local restaurant and/or unique destination. To register for any one of the following Mixers please contact Tori Riley at 798-1761 as those who pre-register save money:  

• Thursday, September 18: SEPTEMBER THIRD THURSDAY MIXER aboard the Lac du Saint Sacrement @ The Lake George Steamboat Co., Steel Pier, Beach Rd., Lake George Village. Wonderful food, drink specials. Boarding begins at 5:15 p.m.; cruise 6-8 p.m. Pre-paid Boarding Passes must be purchased and picked up prior to the event (by noon on 9/18) at the ARCC offices, 5 Warren St., Glens Falls. Passes will not be available at the Steel Pier. $20pp. For information contact Tori Riley (triley@adirondackchamber.org) or Lydia Sabin (lsabin@adirondackchamber.org) at 798-1761. Co-sponsored by the Lake George Chamber of Commerce.

• Thursday, October 16: ADIRONDACK BUSINESS SHOW AND OCTOBER MIXER @ The Queensbury Hotel, 88 Ridge St., Glens Falls. 4 p.m.-7 p.m. Free admission. To print the Show Sponsor Form, click here. To print the Show Food Exhibitor Form, click here. To print the registration form, click here. For details contact Tori Riley at 798-1761. Event Sponsors to date: KeyBank, Cool Insuring Agency, Inc., Time Warner Cable Business Class and Adirondack Radiology Associates. "Adirondack 500" Prize Sponsor: First Niagara Bank. Room Sponsor to date: Gerber Family Chiropractic and Wellness Center.  

• Thursday, December 18: DECEMBER HOLIDAY MIXER @ Holiday Inn Lake George Turf. 5:30-7:30 p.m. $15pp. Watch this space for details.

J. Walter Juckett Community Service Award - Each year ARCC proudly presents a deserving individual with an award aptly named for a gentleman whose contributions to the region are immeasurable - the late J. Walter Juckett of Hudson Falls. The award itself is an individual sculpture created by Mark Ackerle of Bolton Landing and funded through the generosity of the Sandy Hill Foundation. The Juckett Award is presented at ARCC's Annual Dinner Celebration. For complete details and nomination information, please click here.

Adirondack Business and School Partnership - ABSP was created “To develop a coordinated strategy between businesses and schools in Warren, Washington, and northern Saratoga counties that provides a genuine connection for students to improve employability skills and strengthen the regional workforce.” To learn more, click here.