The Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce is in the final steps of a strategic planning process to help businesses thrive in the area and navigate the challenges of the American economy. Pictured are the staff members at the Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce. Submitted Photo
The Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce is in the process of putting together a strategic plan to help businesses thrive in the region.
Dan Heitzenrater has served as the president of the Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce for just over a year. During that time, he has been working to gather information, reflect on the different programs and consider the various events hosted by the chamber.
“It’s been really great,” he said. “It’s been a good year. We’ve been able to get back into things coming out of the pandemic.”
Like most organizations, the COVID-19 pandemic prevented the Chamber of Commerce from holding many of its standard events and programs.
Heitzenrater said the chamber is trying to get back to normal while also helping businesses address new issues with the economy.
The Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce is committed to helping businesses do more than merely survive.
“With everything that we do,” Heitzenrater said, we’re trying to help the business community to not only survive, but to thrive. At the core of our mission, we’re trying to get consumers get dollars to our local businesses.”
One of the ways he has approached this goal is by experiencing things for himself as the new chamber president and by looking at ways to improve or change the services offered at the chamber to better reflect the needs of the business community. At the same time, he said the chamber has enjoyed the return of community events that benefit local businesses.
Throughout the leadership transition process, Heitzenrater stressed the importance of reassessing the services of the chamber.
“As an organization, we’re working on that right now,” he said. “We’re going through a strategic planning process. We’re well into that process and anticipating our strategic plan by the end of the year.”
While the challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic may have subsided for businesses, Heitzenrater said the 2022 business year has been particularly challenging. Inflation and supply chain issues have plagued both small and large businesses in the county. Heitzenrater said the combination has made it difficult for businesses to navigate pricing issues and availability of products.
“The year 2022 is kind of unique because I think it started with a lot of promise and hope to return to normal, just to be replaced with the stresses about the global economy, inflation and all these other challenges that have risen in the last year or so,” he said.
Heitzenrater has been encouraging consumers to remain patient with local businesses in light of the challenges business owners are facing this year. He said local small businesses are “taking a hit” because they are often hesitant to pass price increases to customers.
Despite the challenges facing businesses, Heitzenrater said he has seen a lot of businesses adapt and make the necessary improvements to continue to be competitive in the current economy.
The Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce is recommending small businesses use foresight and planning to avoid supply chain issues during the third and fourth quarter of this year. By preparing for the holiday season in advance, Heitzenrater believes businesses will be able to prevent a potential crisis with the availability of products in the coming months.
“If you can get those items you are going to need on hand sooner, then you’ll have them in stock and it’s not going to reach a crisis like others who did not complete that planning,” he said.
As the chamber finalizes the details of its planning strategy in the coming months, Heitzenrater said it remains committed to helping businesses achieve sustainability and growth. The chamber is also considering additional services that could impact the community by helping business owners face whatever economic challenges arise in the future.
In addition to helping local businesses overcome challenges, the chamber also hosts a number of events throughout the year to connect businesses with the communities they serve.
“We have a lot of promotional programs that are designed to bring community awareness to our local businesses and get those feet and those local dollars in the door to help sustain and grow and make them profitable,” Heitzenrater said.
All of the chamber’s fall events have been scheduled and are listed online (chautauquachamber.org/events).
Some of these events include Hops and Pops at the Clarion Hotel in Dunkirk Sept. 15, the Federal Congressional Breakfast at Moonbrook in Jamestwon Sept. 23 and the Chamber Annual Awards Banquet Oct. 6.
Heitzenrater encouraged local businesses to connect with the Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce. He explained the chamber sends out a weekly newsletter to members of the community with a variety of local business news.
“We like to be a megaphone for our members,” he said. “We’re happy to share their news.”
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