Episode Fifteen: All Things Chamber Don’t Miss the Update Annual Membership Campaign—For the month of May, new members can earn up to 30% off their first year with The Chamber. Invite your friends who are business owners or entrepreneurs to unlock their full potential at The Chamber. The Chamber’s Breakfast Business Card Exchange is next Tuesday, May 14, at Dick’s House of Sport. Network with fellow Chamber members and enjoy all the amenities of the all-new Dick’s House of Sport. Support Leadership Lackawanna and win 52 weeks of Pizza! Buy a raffle ticket at LeadershipLackawanna.com. Upcoming Chamber Events EVENT PAGE MEMBER BENEFITS
EMPOWER, The Leadership Experience: Inspiring Leaders and Cultivating Potential EMPOWER, The Leadership Experience, presented by Geisinger and hosted by The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce, left attendees feeling motivated, challenged, and deeply engaged in soul-searching conversations. With over 800 attendees, including 61 enthusiastic high school students, the event was a testament to the region’s commitment to cultivating leadership and business innovation. Attendees found the experience to be resourceful, tapping into a wealth of knowledge and expertise from the event’s two keynote speakers and 46 regional breakout speakers, panelists, and wellness presenters. For the second consecutive year, The Honesdale National Bank sponsored the teen program, providing high school students with a unique opportunity to embark on a journey of self-discovery and empowerment. Through a series of workshops and interactive sessions, these young leaders were equipped with the skills and motivation to uncover their purpose and drive positive change in their communities. The Teen Program was in partnership with The Chamber’s leadership development affiliate, Leadership Lackawanna, and Luzerne County’s leadership cohort, Leadership Northeast. President of The Chamber, Bob Durkin, shares, “The growth of EMPOWER with over 800 attendees is, I believe, a measure of the emergence of women in leadership positions across northeastern Pennsylvania. We hope and believe that this program is providing women with professional and personal development tools and resources that will add to that trajectory.” Keynote speakers Dr. Lauren Hazzouri and Patrice D. Banks, renowned for their expertise in leadership and personal development, shared their insights and experiences, leaving a lasting impression on attendees. “You are going to fail. PERIOD. You are human, and it’s just going to happen. However, it’s what you do with that failure to move forward to continue with your purpose,” shared Patrice D. Banks, founder of Girls Auto Clinic. Dr. Hazzouri and Banks, through their captivating stories and practical advice, empowered participants to embrace change, overcome obstacles, and unlock their purpose. Attendees at the breakfast keynote session were asked to name one word that defines their purpose. The three most common phrases reported were happiness, helping others, and families. The challenge to all attendees was to run hard after their purpose and allow their purpose to fuel their life ambitions. The event’s lineup of regional breakout speakers and panelists covered a diverse range of topics. Attendees found these sessions to be invaluable, offering actionable takeaways, and fresh perspectives on leadership in today’s dynamic world. The conference included the Highmark Wellness Studio, which hosted 10 wellness presenters, and the Fidelity Vendor Marketplace, which housed 37 Chamber members and their businesses. As EMPOWER continues to evolve, organizers remain committed to providing a platform for leaders at all stages of their journey to connect, learn, and grow together. With each passing year, the event serves as a catalyst for positive change, empowering individuals and organizations to make a lasting impact on the world around them. Northeast PA, save the date for April 24, 2025, at Kalahari Resort & Conventions.
Episode Fourteen: All Things Chamber Don’t Miss the Update Leadership Lackawanna and Skills in Scranton are participating in NEPA Gives, a 24-hour online giving extravaganza. Learn how to give to support both organization’s work in the community today. MetroAction, the small business lending affiliate of The Chamber, provides one-on-one counseling services and loans between $2,500-$100,000. Learn more about how MetroAction can support your business today. Upcoming Chamber Events EVENT PAGE MEMBER BENEFITS
Episode Thirteen: All Things Chamber Don’t Miss the Update Leadership Lackawanna’s Core Program is accepting applications. The final day to apply is April 30. Apply today! Upcoming Chamber Events EVENT PAGE MEMBER BENEFITS
The Chamber is Gearing Up for EMPOWER, The Leadership Experience The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce is hosting its ninth year of EMPOWER, presented by Geisinger, on Thursday, April 25, at Kalahari Resort & Convention. EMPOWER is the premier women’s leadership event in northeastern Pennsylvania. It is a day-long conference highlighting the ability all women have to create positive change in their communities and lives while recognizing the extraordinary power that exists when women come together to support each other. The 2024 conference theme is “purpose.” It will feature dynamic keynote speakers Dr. Lauren Hazzouri and Patrice D. Banks, as well as special appearances from the mayor of Scranton, Paige G. Cognetti, Honorable State Representative Bridget Kosierowski, and the Honorable State Senator Rosemary Brown. Dr. Hazzouri is a licensed psychologist, speaker, and founder of Hazzouri Psychology, a full-service psychology practice in downtown Scranton. Patrice D. Banks is the founder of Girls Auto Clinic, which provides automotive buying and repair resources, products, and services, and is a platform for Banks to educate and empower women through their cars. Attendees will engage with 44 regional speakers through invaluable breakout sessions and have access to a wellness studio and a small business marketplace. Breakout session presenters include: Lori Moran, The University of Scranton; Kathryn Bondi, Posture Interactive; Dr. Andrea DiMattia and Dr. Michelle Schmude, Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine; Bethany Staples and Brittany Watt, Market Share Consulting; Dr. Carrie Demers, PureRejuv Wellness Center at the Himalayan Institute; Jennifer Lutsey, Children’s Service Center; Shane Powers, NeighborWorks of Northeastern PA; Jenna Urban, Urban Mac Media; Dr. Elizabeth Carter, AAPPEAL, LLC; Dr. Katie Desiderio, Moravian University; Olivia Eaddy, Prudential; Kristyn Smith, Tobyhanna Army Depot; Eric Acosta, Wilkes University; Nicole Strauser, Prudential; Shanie Mohamed, the Greater Wyoming Valley Chamber of Commerce; Bella Ceccoli, Scranton Area Community Foundation; Glynis Johns, Black Scranton Project; Kelley Laird, Fidelity Bank; Mandie Hendricks, Janney Montgomery Scott; Dr. Tricia Richards-Service, I Need A Speaker; PA State Senator Rosemary Brown; Marie Beggin, Penn East Federal Credit Union; Chelsey Coslett, NEPIRC; Stephanie Mihal, MMQ & Associates; Dr. Sarah Wodder, Scranton Counseling Center; Jennifer Davis, Sordoni Construction Services, Inc.; Patricia Cummings, Patricia O Cummings Therapy, LLC; Christie Estadt, Body Blueprint PTC; Dr. Barbara Plucknett, The Body Blueprint Demystified; and Brianna Strunk, Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau. For a second year, The Honesdale National Bank will sponsor a teen program at EMPOWER. The program is a unique opportunity specifically curated for teen attendees (ages 16-18) designed to enhance personal and professional development. The Teen Program is in partnership with Leadership Lackawanna and Leadership Northeast. Over 800 attendees will appear at EMPOWER, The Leadership Experience, on April 25. Tickets are available online at www.ScrantonChamber.com.
Episode Twelve: All Things Chamber Don’t Miss the Update Join the SBA (small business administration) and other regional business development organizations for the Lender Roundtable on May 16. Did You Know? The next network mixer is Tuesday, May 14, at the Dick’s House of Sport for the Breakfast Business Card Exchange. Register today. Final call for EMPOWER tickets. Friday, April 19 is the last day to purchase tickets for the conference next week. The Chamber is hiring a visual content creator intern to join the Marketing and Communications division. Apply today by send your resume and interest to rbuchanan@Scrantonchamber.com. Momentum Magazine Check out April’s Momentum Magazine. Now available online. Upcoming Chamber Events EVENT PAGE MEMBER BENEFITS
Episode Eleven: All Things Chamber Don’t Miss the Update EMPOWER, The Leadership Experience is a few short weeks away. 46 regional speakers, 800 attendees, 40 vendors, and one seat for you. Purchase your tickets by April 19. Did You Know? The Chamber has numerous volunteer opportunities throughout the year. You and your business can volunteer to work the Chamber’s Membership Campaign on May 7 and 8. Contact Mari Potis to sign up because you could “Sail Away” with awesome prizes. Momentum Magazine Check out April’s Momentum Magazine. Now available online. Upcoming Chamber Events EVENT PAGE MEMBER BENEFITS
Sole Sisters Podcast Discusses EMPOWER Leadership Conference Jenna Urban, Urban Mac Media, and Mari Potis, director of membership and events at The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce, sat down to discuss the upcoming EMPOWER Leadership Conference on April 15th. Listen below. Sole Sisters Podcast · EMPOWERing Scranton and beyond with Mari Potis
Be a Speaker at EMPOWER Have you enjoyed Empower Women’s Leadership Conference? Ever want to be on the stage sharing your story, your expertise, motivating others? This is your year and your opportunity! EMPOWER Women’s Leadership Conference is now EMPOWER, The Leadership Experience! EMPOWER will be held on Thursday, April 25, 2024, at Kalahari Resorts, Mount Pocono. We are accepting submissions for “Breakout Room Speakers, Wellness Presenters & Instructors, Panelists and Panel Moderators” through January 12, 2024. The 2024 theme is “PURPOSE” (to be interpreted by Speakers/Presenters in their presentation).EMPOWER 2024 consists of four (4) Breakout Room tracks:1.) Professional Development2.) Personal Development3.) Leadership Development4.) Panel Discussions (final topics/titles tbd):***PANEL DISCUSSION TOPICS***a.) Non-Traditional Industry Leadersb.) Young Professionals: What To Do or Knowc.) Poise & Public Speakingd.) Career BuildingBreakout Room Speakers must prepare a 45 minute presentation inclusive of Q&A to typically includes a PowerPoint presentation.Panelists offer their expertise on specific topics managed by the Panel Moderator.Wellness Studio Presenters/Instructors. The Wellness Studio runs every 30 minutes. We are currently looking for Presenters/Instructors to offer 20 minute sessions covering “Mind, Body and Spirit”. This an be a fitness class, mindfulness, meditation, nutrition counseling, etc.If EMPOWER is for you and you’re ready to get on stage and share your expertise please complete this “Speaker Submission Form” by January 12, 2024 to be considered for EMPOWER. https://metroaction.wufoo.com/forms/2024-empower-speaker-submission-form/ (No calls or direct emails please.)We look forward to reviewing your submission and seeing you at EMPOWER, The Leadership Experience!
Marywood University Celebrated EMPOWER Campaign at Launch Event On Friday, at an outdoor celebratory launch event, Marywood University announced the public phase of its comprehensive campaign, EMPOWER: The Campaign for Marywood. The event, which featured the popular local band, The Chatter, kicked off the campaign as well as Marywood’s Alumni and Family Weekend. Alumni, students and their families, faculty, staff, and members of the greater community attended the announcement and the celebration that followed. EMPOWER is a multi-year effort to raise $30 million with three priority areas: to create access to education through scholarships for students with financial need, to reimagine campus through the construction, renovation, and renewal of buildings and spaces to support growing programs and next-gen learning, and to enhance the student experience through annual and endowed philanthropic support. To date, Marywood has raised $24 million from alumni, parents, and friends of the University during the quiet phase of the campaign. During the event, Marywood University President Sister Mary Persico, IHM, Ed.D. introduced the official campaign video, and followed its presentation by stating, “Through the EMPOWER campaign, we are embarking on a journey that transcends the boundaries of our campus. The impact of this campaign will ripple far beyond these walls, reaching into the very heart of our local community and contributing to the development of the region.” She continued, “By empowering our students, by fostering innovation and learning, we are sparking a chain reaction that will uplift our local communities, stimulate economic growth, grow the workforce, and inspire a brighter future for all.” Campaign co-chairs, Marywood Board of Trustees Chair Lisa Lori, Esq. and Marywood Trustee Robert Tamburro, followed Sister Mary, with Atty. Lori noting, “Marywood’s commitment to education has always been steadfast, empowering students to believe in themselves and serve their communities…Together, we will create, reimagine, and enhance the future of Marywood University.”
