Leadership Lackawanna Hosts Second Annual “Howl At The Moon” Dueling Piano Fundraiser Leadership Lackawanna, The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce community leadership and professional development affiliate will host “Howl At The Moon” Dueling Pianos Fundraiser on Friday, October 18, at the Radisson Lackawanna Station in downtown Scranton. The event will occur outside under the heated trainshed and feature live entertainment, courtesy of the national “Howl At The Moon” dueling pianos group. Attendees are invited to sing, dance, and howl as versatile and talented musicians perform their favorite songs from 80’s rock, 90’s pop, and today’s dance hits on pianos and more in a high-energy show! The event will also feature basket raffles, a selfie station, games, food, fun, and more. Lauren Rusen, board member and events committee chair, shares, “For the second year, we will hold this event at the Radisson because it allows more people to enjoy this fantastic night of dancing, singing, and supporting a great cause! The space is perfect for this kind of event. Guests can come for the music, stay for the opportunity to win amazing prizes, and dance the night away.” All proceeds from the event will support Leadership Lackawanna’s mission of enhancing the skills, connections, and knowledge of emerging and established leaders in northeastern Pennsylvania—as well as supporting community service projects conducted by Leadership Lackawanna participants. Tickets are available online at www.LeadershipLackawanna.com and at the door. To learn more about Leadership Lackawanna, please visit www.LeadershipLackawanna.com.
The Chamber Announces the 2024 SAGE Awards Finalists The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce announces the finalists for the 2024 SAGE Awards, the Scranton Awards for Growth and Excellence. The SAGE Awards honor outstanding local businesses and nonprofits for their talent, creativity, and innovation. The winners will be announced on Friday, November 1, at The Chamber Gala, presented by Verizon, a black-tie optional event that will be held at the Mohegan Pennsylvania. More than 80 applications were received for this year’s awards, and nearly 40 community leaders and professionals volunteered to review applications and select finalists. The Chamber is proud to honor businesses and nonprofits that are making valuable contributions to the region and contributing to our overall quality of life. The finalists, in each category, are: Business of the Year Fit AF Nutrition Mount Airy Casino Resort Northeast Title & Tag, Inc. Community Involvement Excellence Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield The Wright Center for Community Health Tobyhanna Army Depot Customer Service Excellence Geisinger/Geisinger Community Medical Center Lewith & Freeman Real Estate Market Share Consulting Marketing and Communications Excellence Condron Sweda Advertising Market Share Consulting The Honesdale National Bank New and Emerging Business of the Year Kailin of Earth Wellness Studio Pelican’s SnoBalls Showcase Nonprofit Organization of the Year CHOP Out Hunger Indraloka The Wright Center for Community Health Products and Services Excellence L.R. Costanzo, Inc. Scranton Jazz Festival Ski Shack Small Business of the Year Blu Elefante Events Lynn Sandy’s Bakery Naked Toffee Workplace Excellence Children’s Service Center of Wyoming Valley JHA Companies Saint Joseph’s Center 2024 SAGE Milestone Award Recipients The Member Milestone Award recognizes businesses and nonprofits celebrating an anniversary in 5-year increments. Each business and nonprofit will be recognized and presented with a certificate. Black Scranton Project Bread Basket of NEPA Children’s Advocacy Center of NEPA CHOP Out Hunger Coal Creative G.R. Noto Electrical Construction, Inc. Gino J Merli Veterans Center Happenings Magazine hc architects Marley’s Mission Naked Toffee SEEDs of Hope SkyZone Pittston St. Mary’s Villa Campus Tuxedo by Sarno Additionally, all award finalists can also win the People’s Choice Award, where the winner will be chosen by a community wide online vote, available on www.scrantonchamber.com from Monday, October 14 through Friday, October 18.
2024-25 Educator in the Workplace Announces New Cohort The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce’s workforce development affiliate, Skill in Scranton, announces the 2024-25 Educator in the Workplace (EIW) cohort. Designed to bridge the gap between education and industry, EIW fosters collaboration between educators, school leadership, and officials to local businesses to enhance classroom instruction, student learning, and workforce readiness. The cohort welcomes a diverse group of participants, including K–12 educators, school counselors, administrators, adult program teachers, school board directors, superintendents, and principals from across northeastern Pennsylvania. Cohort participants are as follows: Bonnie Baker, Career Technology Center of Lackawanna County Lisa Bath, Abington Heights School District Joanne Beauvais, Merakey Education Center Gena Bensinger, Northeast Intermediate Unit 19 William Buza, Mid Valley School District Amy Capman, Mid Valley School District Jessica Capwell, Northeast Intermediate Unit 19 Brian Carey, Scranton School District Tara Carey, Scranton School District Mary Kate Culkin, Scranton School District Arianne DelSordo, Old Forge School District Kaylee Dunning, Carbondale Area School District Terri Erdmann, Forest City Regional School District William Freeman, Lakeland School District Dalyana Gillette, Scranton School District Nanine Gramigna, Scranton School District Andrea Gross, Scranton School District Lynn Harding, Scranton School District Jennifer Herman, Scranton School District Ryan Hnat, Scranton School District Maria Hurst, Scranton School District Jessica Judge, Scranton School District Jane Kabuiku, SCI Waymart Christine Kallinger-Allen, Abington Heights School District Stephanie Klinkel, Scranton School District Samantha Krenitsky, Scranton School District Shannon Kuchak, Lackawanna Trail School District Melissa Lavelle, Old Forge School District Christopher Lazor, Riverside School District Buford Lively, Northeast Intermediate Unit 19 Emily Lutz, Scranton School District Laurie Marino, Valley View School District Katie McCarthy, Scranton School District Christine Menichini, Career Technology Center of Lackawanna County Marie Merkel, Scranton School District Sandy Morahan, Forest City Regional School District Landon Morey, Montrose Area School District Janelle Nestrick, Scranton School District Jessica Norris, Scranton School District Kathleen Nycz, Old Forge School District Carm Perri, Carbondale Area School District Cynthia Petrucci, Scranton School District Amy Petty, Abington Heights School District Gabrielle Pidgeon, Carbondale Area School District Sheri Ransom, Mountain View School District John Ray, Scranton School District Kayla Record, S.E.E.D. Planning Group Kerri Ruddy Archer, Scranton School District Kylene Sautner, Scranton School District Bernadette Schumacher, Mid Valley School District Renee Vigil, Forest City Regional School District Shauna Williams, Blue Ridge School District Tim Wolff, Scranton School District Marc Wyandt, Lakeland School District The Chamber and Skills in Scranton leadership congratulates each member of the cohort and looks forward to their positive impact on the community’s education landscape. The educators will have the unique opportunity to collaborate with local businesses and industry leaders, gaining firsthand knowledge to inspire and prepare their students for today’s and tomorrow’s workplace.
The Third TechCelerator @LackawannaCounty Cohort Selects Eight Participants The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce, Lackawanna County, and Ben Franklin Technology Partners of NEPA are proud to announce the start of the third cohort and participants of TechCelerator @LackawannaCounty. “The mission of The Chamber is to attract, sustain, and grow business in our region. TechCelerator @Lackawanna is a perfect example of how together with Lackawanna County and Ben Franklin Technology Partners. We are providing an entrepreneurial ecosystem to nurture the growth of small businesses in our region,” shared Bob Durkin. In another round of competitive application process, eight new participants were chosen. All eight were selected for their unique for-profit, tech-based business ideas, commitment to completing the 10-week program, and creating a company and jobs based in Lackawanna County. The eight participants are Don McGowan and Arena-X; John George and CrasherCon; Eric Farrell and EZ Fantasy Sports; Veronica LaRocque and Grow With L.E.A.R.N LLC; Fred Aebli and IT Corps, Inc.; Justin Byrd and Machi-System, LLC DBA SelfServeMenu.com; Joel DeCarli and The Job Box; and Bill Booth and Treasectory. “TechCelerator is a great way to help keep our local talent at home,” Commissioner Matt McGloin added. “We welcome and commend the latest group of prospective entrepreneurs to the program, knowing that their ideas and energy will help to expand and diversify the economy, and inspire others to follow their lead.” The third cohort starts on Wednesday, October 2, at the Chamber’s TekRidge Center in the Jessup Small Business Park. Participants will walk away with solid networking skills and a foundational understanding of finances, marketing, business strategy, and more. Those who successfully meet the requirements will be eligible for up to $10,000 on select start-up reimbursement of business expenses, which will assist the participants in launching their venture.
TechCelerator @LackawannaCounty Open Applications The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce and Lackawanna County announce that applications are open for a third cohort of TechCelerator @LackawannaCounty this fall. The program is powered by Lackawanna County, the Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Northeastern PA, The Chamber, and its affiliate program, IGNITE. TechCelerator @LackawannaCounty is a 10-week, in-person experience in which participants can access mentors, educational resources, and subject matter experts on business formation strategies, customer discovery, marketing, financial planning, and risk management. The goal of the ten weeks is to build, share, and pitch their early-stage start-ups. “We are proud to be partners in the TechCelerator project with the Chamber and the Ben Franklin Technology Partners because we understand that small businesses are the economic backbone of Lackawanna County,” Commissioner Bill Gaughan said. “We also know that technology is dynamic, and that the world of technology-based start-ups is highly competitive. TechCelerator is a great tool for local entrepreneurs to learn what they need to know to compete, and to germinate their ideas.” Previous TechCelerator @LackawannaCounty programs have helped 15 entrepreneurs gain traction toward achieving their American dreams. In this third cohort, eight more can experience the same resources and excitement “We have continued to build a vibrant entrepreneurial infrastructure throughout Lackawanna County under the Chamber IGNITE program at the Scranton Enterprise Center, Jessup TekRidge Center, and the Carbondale Technology Transfer Center—in concert with a host of outstanding public and private sector partners who share the vision of growing new businesses with the talent we have right here in our region,” shared Bob Durkin. TechCelerator @LackawannaCounty is a competitive application process. All Lackawanna County residents with tech, for-profit business, or early start-up ideas are encouraged to apply”-please include that start-up businesses registered in Lackawanna County are included, not just Lackawanna County residents. To apply, visit ScrantonChamber.com and look for TechCelerator @LackawannaCounty under events. Applications close on Tuesday, September 10.
The Chamber Wraps Up 2023-24 Program of Work Year with Success The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce proudly announces the completion of its 2023-24 program of work year. To celebrate the achievements and efforts of The Chamber and its affiliate organizations, a new video has been produced. This compilation highlights the strides made in supporting our mission to attract, sustain, and grow businesses and jobs in northeastern Pennsylvania. The video is a testament to the hard work and dedication of all involved and showcases the significant impact made over the past year. Alongside the video, an infographic has been shared, breaking down the key successes into easily digestible bullet points. Download the infographic.
Scam Notice to Membership Dear Chamber Members, It has come to our attention that there is a fraudulent scheme targeting the Chamber membership. A company falsely claiming association with our organization is offering to sell the contact information of our members for financial gain. These scams are happening across the country to other Chambers. We take any unauthorized use of member information seriously. Rest assured, the Chamber has not authorized any such company to sell or distribute your contact details. Below is an example of the scam email. We strongly advise all members to exercise caution and vigilance when approached by any entity claiming to offer Chamber member contact information. Additionally, we encourage you to promptly report any suspicious activity or unauthorized solicitation to our Chamber office. Should you have any questions or concerns regarding this matter, please do not hesitate to contact us directly.
Leadership Lackawanna Launches Applications for 2024-25 Executive Program July 29, 2024— Leadership Lackawanna, the community leadership and professional development affiliate of The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce, announces applications are open for the Executive Program. The six-week Executive Program deeply engages high-level professionals in the greater Scranton area, broadens their social network, and increases their overall knowledge of the community. Participants meet key business and community leaders as they receive an overview of Lackawanna County’s history and culture, economic and political structures, community events, civic groups, recreational activities, and nonprofit organizations. The Executive Program accepts applications from advanced-level professionals with a tenured career path and extensive leadership experience. Applicants must live, work, or play in Lackawanna County. Sessions are held one evening per week for six consecutive weeks starting Monday, September 23. The sessions are held at various locations and include cocktails and dinner. Applications are now open and will be accepted through August 31. To learn more about the Executive and all other Leadership Lackawanna programs, visit www.leadershiplackawanna.com.
Episode Twenty-Six: All Things Chamber is Back at State Street in Clarks Summit Don’t Miss the Update Chamber Open House is Friday, September 6. We LOVE our members and want to show our appreciation for your support throughout the year. Join us as we come together with fellow members and enjoy a variety of lunch specialties from member businesses! We will be tenting our entire front parking lot and driveway to create comfortable space. Meet our Board or Directors, staff and network with fellow members. Swing by and let us thank you! Skills in Scranton’s Educator in the Workplace connects K-12 educators, administration, superintendents, school board members, and school counselors to businesses and industry leaders. Enrollment closes September 26. Upcoming Chamber Events EVENT PAGE MEMBER BENEFITS
Episode Twenty-Five: All Things Chamber is at Lynn Sandy’s Bakery Don’t Miss the Update Are you a small business owner or aspiring business owner that identifies as: Minority, Women, LGBT, Disabled person, or Veteran owned? Unlock new opportunities for your business by becoming certified as a diverse business. Gain visibility and connect with major institutions while promoting diversity in commerce. Join us this summer to kickstart your journey towards certification with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Join us for this FREE networking –MEMBER ONLY– informational event. The afternoon will begin with a round-table introduction of all attendees and then offer a highlighted overview of Chamber programs and services delivered in a unique and informational format. Lunch will be served and networking will be encouraged. Seating is very limited, maximum two representatives per company please. Upcoming Chamber Events EVENT PAGE MEMBER BENEFITS
