Online Networking
The Greater Watertown-North Country (GWNC) Chamber of Commerce was established in 1903 by Watertown's leading businessmen, and since that time has grown to be the largest business association in the North Country. With nearly 1,000 members, the Chamber represents the business interests of over 22,000 employees throughout Jefferson County and the region, and has representation from every business sector as well as government and the military within it's membership base.
The GWNC Chamber is a 4-Star Accredited Chamber, a designation given to us by the US Chamber of Commerce and held by only 391 Chambers in the US (out of nearly 7,000). Accreditation means that the Chamber has redefined, reached, and maintained outstanding planning and operational performance standards and has significantly contributed to the good of their community, region, state, and country.
The Greater Watertown Chamber maintains a Visitor's Center, and provides local and travel information to visitors, members, and the general public. We are recognized as THE source of information (accessible online, by phone, mail, and in-person) for the county and the region. We have a staff of six highly trained employees focused on membership development and retention, benefits, services, events and programs, who are also actively involved on committees and Boards throughout the County.
We present over twenty annual events, including a Business Fair, Job Fair, Annual and Fall Membership Dinners and two prestigious community awards, the Shapiro Award and the Athena Award. Our Business After Hours mixers average over 200 members and non-members attending monthly to network and socialize. The Chamber's Farm & Craft Market, has a following in the thousands, and the Jefferson Leadership Institute is recognized as the premier leadership training program in the region.
Members benefit from many of the programs and services that we offer: money savings plans, customer building programs, workforce training courses, and business advocacy efforts locally, in Albany and in Washington. A complete list of benefits and services is available online, but some of our most popular include the Chamber's Energy Alliance, a savings program for commercial electricity and natural gas, and affordable health and dental insurance for sole proprietors and small businesses. Along with many networking events, we provide a number of advertising opportunities for members to get the word out to potential customers about their products and services.
There are so many ways to get involved with the Chamber, and to take advantage of all of the programs that can help your business succeed. Contact the Chamber to get more information on how the Chamber can help you!
Staff
Director of Membership Development:
Is your business interested in joining the Chamber?
Jane E. Aikins
Director of Marketing:
Is your business interested in Advertising & Marketing Opportunities with the Chamber?
Sara C. Carpenter
Director of Events:
Is your business interested in participating in Chamber events?
Michelle Farrell
Director of Membership Development:
Is your business interested in joining the Chamber?
Kylie S. Peck
Chairman Of The Board
Lynne Ferris
Conboy, Mckay, Bachman & Kendall LLP
407 Sherman Street
Watertown, NY 13601
PH: 788-5100
FAX: 788-3463
Lferris@cmbk.com
1st VICE CHAIR
Tom Brennan
Spring Drive Graphics
Depauville, NY 13632
PH: 686-6110
FAX: 686-0091
tom_brennan@cadfs.com
2nd Vice Chair
Deborah Neher
Hampton Inn
Watertown, NY 13601
PH: 782-2222
FAX: 788-8410
debbie_neher@hilton.com
Secretary/Treasurer
Jill Parker
City Electric
23763 NYS 12
Watertown, NY 13601
PH: 782-0704
FAX: 782-1183
jparker@cityelectricweb.com
Immediate Past Chair
Dave Malone
Stebbins Engineering & Mfg. Co.
363 Eastern Blvd.
Watertown, NY 13601
PH: 782-3000 ext. 2928
FAX: 782-0481
Djmalone@stebbinseng.com
Our Ambassadors...
Thank you to our Chamber Ambassadors for helping with the Chamber and the many events and programs we host. If you are interested in becoming an ambassador, please contact Jane at membership@watertownny.com for details.
Here are a few of the men and women from the community whose help is very much appreciated by our staff and the board of directors:
April Halladay
Beth Mac
Carol Kolceski
Bob and Michele Clifton
Debbie Manning;
Declan Callan
Elaine Forcier
Gwen Decker
Jamie Lee
Janelle Bossuot
Jenny Trombly
Joyce Bradley
Justin Howard
Karen Greene
Katie Caputo
Kim Peterson
Kristy McCormick
Lisa Cooley
Lisa Wash
Marla Chamberlain
Mary Ransome
Miyako Schanely
Naomi Petrie
Nicole Bertrand
Paul Bigwarfe
Rebecca Mabry
Rob Premo
Roxanne Aikey
Sabrina Cummins
Sara Bulger
Sara Colligan
Shirley Litz
Stephen Barr
Steve Ferency