SBC Network Luncheons are held the second Thursday of each month at various locations. 

This month's luncheon will be held at the TAU Bearcat Clubroom of the Events Center on the Binghamton University Campus and is sponsored by Empower Federal Credit Union.

Connect with Chamber colleagues at our monthly SBC Network Luncheon.  Don't miss out on the chance to network with 60-70 Chamber members, promote your product/service to a room full of people, and hear more about important chamber programs and upcoming events.  At the luncheons, members are given the opportunity to introduce themselves and tell about their products or services and other events they may be participating in that are of interest to the community. 

Members are urged to bring their brochures, flyers, business cards, etc. 

Registration is Required:  Contact Kathy Murphy at 607-772-8860 or kmurphy@greaterbinghamtonchamber.com

Fee:  Member Advance:  $17.00/Member At Door:  $19.00/Not-For-Profit Advance: $13.60/Not-For-Profit At Door: $15.20

Tioga County Chamber of Commerce offers FREE

 Small Business Counseling

The Chamber is host to both SCORE and the NYS Small Business Development Center (SBDC) advisors. 

SBDC advisors are available BY APPOINTMENT ONLY on the first Thursday of each month. 

*To schedule an appointment with a NYS SBDC advisor, contact the Tioga County Chamber of Commerce at 687-2020

Southern Tier Opportunity Coalition (STOC) Networking Cafe  

"...the Premier Academic/Private Sector Partnership Driving Economic Growth in Greater Binghamton, NY"

Every 2nd Monday of the month.  Hors doeuvres provided with cash bar available. 

Fee:  FREE OF CHARGE and OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

REGISTRATION REQUIRED:  E-mail Natalia Czabala, STOC Administrative Assistant at nczabala@gmail.com

Program/Speaker:  BlueStorm Technologies - "Taming the I.T. Monster" 

Hey, it's great to know people in the IT business.  It's even better to know they're right around the corner.  Some local businesses, both large and small, that rely on top-flight IT support sometimes overlook that there are outstanding companies in that category right here in our backyard.  BlueStorm Technologies, one of STOC's newer member companies, serves customers across the United States with Systems Integration, Application Development, Collaborative Systems, and Infrastructure Services.  An Enterprise - Class solutions provider, BlueStorm brings to bear the offerings from IBN, Oracle, Microsoft, Dell, Sun, Lenovo, and HP for customers in need of responsive and flexible leading-edge information systems. 

Earlier this year, BlueStorm merged with a long-time STOC member, CyberCity, in order to broaden its range of services and customer base.  Both BlueStorm and CyberCity are located in the City of Binghamton.  Learn about their merger, about how BlueStorm was founded, why it chose Binghamton as home, and the company's plans for the future. 

Meet other business people and students from Greater Binghamton and learn about common problems and opportunities. 

SCORE COUNSELING IN BROOME COUNTY

SCORE offers FREE OF CHARGE small business assistance by appointment only in the Broome County area to those interested in starting a new business, assistance with creating a business and financial plan for new and existing businesses, ongoing assistance to start up businesses, and assistance with businesses concerns for existing businesses or those wishing to expand. 

SCORE Counselors are all experienced, professional business people who volunteer their time, unpaid, to assist the business community of our area.  SCORE has no ties to any banking or educational institution.  All counseling and discussions are strictly confidential per the US Government Small Business Administration (SBA) requirements. 

SCORE has been in existence since 1964 and is a nationwide business help group of 390 Chapters across the US and has about 11,000 unpaid volunteer counselors. 

Counseling Days and Times - Year Round:

• 1st, 2nd, 4th, and 5th Tuesdays @ 10:00 AM - Call for location
• 1st and 3rd Thursdays @ 6:30 PM - Greater Binghamton Chamber Offices, Metro Center, 2nd Floor, Binghamton
• 2nd Thursdays (starting September 2009) - Broome County Library, Ahearn Center

All SCORE Counseling sessions are BY APPOINTMENT ONLY - Call 607-772-8860 and ask for an appointment w/SCORE.

**Date Change**  

Binghamton University's Small Business Development Center (SBDC) hosts monthly

Women Business Owners (WBO) Roundtable Meetings

This month's program is:  "Reframing the Picture" with Julye Bush

FEE;  $10.00 per person payable at the door and includes breakfast

ADVANCE REGISTRATION REQUIRED:  Call SBDC at 607-777-4024 or e-mail SBDC@binghamton.edu to register. 

~~All attendees are encouraged to bring business cards and brochures to share~~

Tioga County Chamber of Commerce is hosting a

Business After Hours Event 

Tioga Downs - Winners Circle Lounge

Friday, June 4th, from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.

The Tioga County Chamber of Commerce invites you to Tioga Downs Casino on Friday, June 4th.  Join us for a fun filled evening of light refreshments, horse racing, networking, and gaming.  Tom Osiecki, President and General Manager will be on hand to greet us, and Jason Settlemoir, VP of Racing and Simulcast will discuss the upcoming racing season.  Refreshments will be provided by the Tioga Downs outstanding culinary team and a cash bar will be available. 

• Roast Beef Cumberland
• Petite pastry w/shrimp salad
• Skewered chicken saltimbocca
• Bacon wrapped scallops w/soy glaze
• Fresh seasonal fruit platter
• Jumbo shrimp cocktail w/lemons and cocktail sauce
• Mediterranean hummus w/baked pita chips
• Panko crusted artichoke hearts Venezia
• Petite swedish meatballs
• Grilled vegetables
• Fried pot stickers and Thai chili

The Cellular Connection has made arrangments to give away a LG Phone to one of our participants.  Bring your business cards to be eligible for this drawing and others throughout the evening. 

Come early and stay late.  it's a racing night at Tioga Downs, so get there early to enjoy the fun!

RESERVATIONS REQUIRED:  Call the Tioga County Chamber of Commerce at 607-687-2020 by May 28th. 

FEE:  $10.00 for Chamber members/$15.00 for Non-Chamber members

Broome Community College is hosting a 2-session workshop on

What it Takes to Start Your Own Business

Thursdays; June 10th and 17th from 5:30 - 8:30 PM

Owning your own business is a classic American dream.  Each year, millions of people pursue this dream, but only 50% succeed.  Business experts agree that the key to success is solid planning.  This dynamic, interactive workshop helps you evaluate the feasibility of small business ownership and understand the planning process. 

TOPICS INCLUDE:

• The advantages and disadvantages of self-employment
• Where to find information and assistance
• Mechanics of starting a business
• How to finance your business

An optional textbook is available for purchase from the instructor. 

Instructor:  Ginny Robert, author of Let's Write Your Business Plan and Building Your Future in Self-Employment

Fee:  $74.00

Course Number: EX 016

Registration Required:  Register using your VISA or MasterCard by calling 607-778-5012 or visit www.sunybroome.edu/ce

Broome Community College is hosting a 4-session workshop on how to

Design a Web Site!

Tuesday - Friday, June 1st - 4th, from 5:30 - 10:00 p.m.

Discover how to create and post your own Web site in this hands-on class.  Learn the fundamentals of Web site design, including HTML basics, using color, graphics, photos, backgrounds, hot buttons, formatting text and adding links between pages and to other sites. 

**This small, intensive class is limited to 10 students**

Instructor:  Phil Maywalt 

Fee:  $299.00

Course Number: CP 023

Registration Required:  Register using your VISA or MasterCard by calling 607-778-5012 or visit www.sunybroome.edu/ce

Broome Community College is hosting a workshop on how to

Build Your Own Website in a Few Hours

Monday, June 21st, from 5:30 - 8:30 p.m.

Forget learning HTML, XML, ASP and all those other programming languages.  If you know how to work a computer and create Word documents, you can create your own website.  Come with ideas for your website address, information you want to post, and what your online marketing goals are.  In just one evening, learn the essentials to buying a .com address, where to host it, what software to use, how to design, write and maintain your website all by purchasing an online service starting at $5 per month. 

A basic online presence for less than $100.00?  Yes, it's true!

Instructor:  Cheryl Fabrizi

Fee:  $39.00

Course Number: EX 143

Registration Required:  Register using your VISA or MasterCard by calling 607-778-5012 or visit www.sunybroome.edu/ce

**VENDORS WANTED**

The Southern Tier Small Business Expo

Those who own a microenterprise (businesses with 10 or fewer employees) are encouraged to register as a vendor at The Southern Tier Small Business Expo. 

Registrations accepted now - September for the upcoming October 9th event.  For details and the registration form, visit www.successnetworkbc.com

2010 Greater Binghamton Area Career Fair

sponsored by Broome Community College and Broome County Industrial Development Agency

Friday, June 18th, from 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Booth information available by contacting Vikki Collazo at 607-772-8863 ext. 317, via email at vcollazo@greaterbinghamtonchamber.com or visit the chamber website at www.greaterbinghamtonchamber.com

Registration Deadline:  June 11th

Alternatives Federal Credit Union BUSINESS CENTS®
(Community Enterprise Networking and Training Services) is hosting a 2-session

Intensive Business Plan Writing Workshop

Wednesdays; June 9th and 16th

6:00 - 9:00 p.m.

If you've been meaning to sit down and develop an organized, comprehensive plan for your business, we are going to give you the means and motivation to do it!  Whether you're still at the concept stage or have been in business for years, actually writing a plan for where you want to go with your business and how to get there can give you a great road map for moving business forward and accomplishing your goals.  The focus of this special two-session workshop is not to talk about writing your business plan --it is to write your business plan!  You'll leave with a solid framework begun and a clear path for completing your research and planning process. 

FEE: $30.00 - $60.00; based on a sliding scale

REGISTRATION REQUIRED:  Contact Alison at Alison@alternatives.org or Leslie at lackerman@alternatives.org or via phone at 607-216-3442. 

TC3.biz is hosting an Initial Certification Course on

Lead Safety Initial Certification for Renovation, Repair & Painting

Thursday, June 10th, from 8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

These courses are for renovators conducting renovation, repairs or painting in housing built before 1978.  This certification is required for all home improvement that disturbs more than 6 square feet of interior, or 20 square feet of exterior lead paint, or presumed lead paint effective April 22, 2010. 

Fee:  $225.00

Registration Required:  Call 607-844-6586 to register. 

TC3.biz is hosting a Refresher Certification Course in

Lead Safety Refresher Certification for Renovation, Repair & Painting

Friday, June 11th, from 1:00 - 5:00 PM

This Refresher Certification course is for renovators conducting renovation, repairs, or painting in housing built before 1978.  This certification is required for all home improvement that disturbs more than 6 square feet of interior, or 20 square feet of exterior lead paint, or presumed lead paint effective April 22, 2010. 

Fee:  $175.00

Registration Required:  Call 607-844-6586 to register

Alternatives Federal Credit Union Business CENTS (Community Enterprise Networking and Training Services) is hosting a 2-session workshop on

"Business Marketing with Facebook and Twitter"

Monday, June 21st, and Wednesday, June 23rd

6:00 - 9:00 PM

This hands-on workshop includes two sessions of three-hours each, one spent on Facebook and one on Twitter.  Skills needed to provide the best experience: basic computer skills and some internet experience are essential.  Some Facebook experience helpful, but not required.  No Twitter experience requried. 

Fee:  $30.00 - $60.00; based on a sliding scale

REGISTRATION REQUIRED:  Contact Alison at alison@alternatives.org