Erie Edge Magazine Dec/Jan 2016

YOUR MEMBERSHIP EDGE

Event sponsorship

ON THE LEADING EDGE

Updates from inside the Chamber

U NC O M M O N K N OW L E D G E

Interesting facts about Erie and beyond

FITTING TOGETHER How community plans are falling into place

DEC/JAN 2016

is a publication of

ERCGP Mission & Leadership –

YEP Mission & Leadership –

Our mission is to collaborate and mobilize leadership, expertise and resources to sustain business, create jobs, grow investment, enrich lives and improve the prosperity of the region.

Young Erie Professionals is an organization dedicated to providing its members the opportunity to network professionally with their peers while actively participating in their community and region, with the goal of attracting, retaining and supporting young talent in the local workforce.

ERCGP Board of Directors and Officers Marsha Marsh – Chair Tom Tupitza, Esq. – Vice Chair David M. Tullio – Secretary Ken Nelson – Treasurer Kevin Arrington Dr. Jay Badams Michael Colpoys Michael Edwards Mark Fatica Jeff Favre Jim Fiorenzo Dr. Ralph Ford Charles “Boo” Hagerty Tim Hunter Bruce Kern Charles G. Knight Lisa Koshan James E. Martin Bob Mazza Jack Munch Tim NeCastro

Rick Novotny Brenda Sandberg Greg Sbrocco Nick Scott, Jr. Jim Stevenson Keith Szewczyk Dr. Keith Taylor, Ph.D. Michael Victor Fred Walker Laith Wardi Jenny Weigold-Geertson Scott Whalen, Ph.D. Scott Wyman Partner Appointees William Lillis John Oliver James Rutkowski

ERCGP Staff Barbara Chaffee – President/CEO Jacob Rouch – VP, Economic Development Division Benjamin Pratt – Executive Director, Growth Partnership Division Nadeen Steffey – Executive Director, Marketing & Communications Linda Robbins – CFO/Director of Operations Brett Wiler – Manager, Erie Business Action Team Steve Walters – Sales Manager Susan Ronto – Membership Coordinator Cathy Noble – Event Coordinator

YEP Board of Directors Bill Lillis – Chair R. Jason Wieczorek – Vice Chair Matthew Wiertel – Secretary Rick Gagnon Thomas Tredway Erin Sekerak Carrie Ennis

YEP Executive Committee Christopher Arkwright – President Paul Loncharic – Vice President Brian Sechrist – Secretary

Committee Chairs Lindsey Scutella – Marketing Chair Mario Median – Membership Lesley Ridge – Community & Civic Engagement Bill Lillis – Social Matthew Jorden – Policy

Editor

Design

Nadeen Steffey

Engel O’Neill Advertising

Advertising Information Steve Walters (814) 454-7191 x140 swalters@eriepa.com

Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership | 208 East Bayfront Parkway Suite 100 Erie, PA 16507 | www.eriepa.com

TABLE of CONTENTS 02

Cover Story

A Unified Vision for the Erie Region

06

On The Leading Edge

Updates from the Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership

08

Uncommon Knowledge Interesting Facts About Erie

10

Photo Gallerie

Photos from Day of Excellence, RibbonCutting Ceremonies and More

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News From Erie

Events, Recognitions, Investors and Entertainment

14

Your Membership Edge Event Sponsorship

16 Upcoming Events

Photo by Gibbens Creative

2017 Save the Dates and Erie Restaurant Week

19

Member Directerie

ERCGP Member Directory

1

A UNIFIED VISION Four groups help chart the course for the Erie region’s future Written by Dana Pontillo

The goal is shared and simple – establish a thriving Erie region that is safe, economically prosperous and culturally diverse that attracts families, businesses and tourists. Achieving that goal, not surprisingly, is more complicated. It requires hard work, a clear vision and a great deal of planning.

Four local groups, each with a distinct geographical footprint, are leading those efforts and implementing their respective plans to achieve that common goal.

Emerge 2040’s roots are found in Destination Erie: A Regional Vision, a guide to help shape the region’s future. Emerge 2040 was created to

engage the community and help organizations use the plan to advance the region.

“Nationwide, we are unique among communities that received funding for the planning process though the HUD Sustainable Communities Initiative because we’re maintaining a structure to support implementation,” said Anna Frantz, executive director of Emerge 2040. “It speaks to our community wanting to ensure the plan moves forward.” She said the group’s steering team includes 15 representatives from municipalities, nonprofits and the business sector, each with a unique perspective.

“It’s important we approach this from a practical perspective and focus on areas where we can have immediate impact and understand other goals will take longer to achieve.”

– Joe Sinnott| Erie Mayor 2

Although this 25-year plan covers Erie, its reach extends throughout Erie, Warren and Crawford counties as well as Chautauqua County, New York, and Ashtabula County, Ohio. It focuses on eight areas ranging from economic growth and education to community health and arts, culture and recreation. “The fate of the Erie region is a shared one,” Frantz said. “Our issues and opportunities are interconnected.”

neighborhood blight is one example. Already endorsed by City Council and the Erie Planning Commission, a proposed land bank would more efficiently manage and gain access to tax-challenged and blighted properties. Also underway is hiring a code enforcement officer to work with the city’s east and west bayfront neighborhoods in their revitalization efforts.

An Emerge 2040 initiative involves the Erie Area Council of Governments and the Economic Research Institute of Erie at Penn State Behrend. The Institute is surveying Erie County’s 38 municipalities about available business loans, tax incentives and properties ripe for redevelopment. “We are fortunate to have tremendous resources we can tap and Behrend has been a great partner,” she said.

Sinnott said although it was introduced as a 10year plan, achieving its goals in that timeframe will be difficult. “The real challenge is the speed in which it can move forward,” he explained, pointing to the recommended $600 million investment from public and private entities. “It’s important we approach this from a practical perspective and focus on areas where we can have immediate impact and understand other goals will take longer to achieve.”

Emerge 2040 also is working on a digital inclusion issue and has enlisted an AmeriCorps VISTA volunteer to help improve Internet access for low-income City of Erie residents. With various partners, Emerge 2040 will identify and implement strategies to increase broadband access.

Sinnott is pleased the plan identifies issues the city was addressing. “In many areas, we are ahead of the curve,” he said. “Our West Bayfront and Bayfront Eastside Taskforce groups already were working in those neighborhoods, both of which were identified as opportunity areas in the plan.”

“The response to Emerge 2040’s efforts has been very positive,” Frantz said. “People understand it’s time to better coordinate efforts and have clearer goals as a region.”

As Emerge 2040, Our West Bayfront and Erie Downtown Partnership plans took shape, so too did the city’s plan. “It was critical we worked to create stronger partnerships and focus our collective resources on the issues facing our region,” Sinnott said.

Erie’s Comprehensive Plan, also known as Erie Refocused, analyzes the city’s land use, residents, economy, transportation, infrastructure and housing, and serves as a guide to improve and revitalize the city. It is Erie’s first-ever comprehensive plan and will bring the city into compliance with the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code.

Erie Mayor Joe Sinnott explained having a formal plan now is more common for cities and often is required for grants and funding. “It is a more holistic approach to city planning and creates synergy about how to address issues facing the community,” he said.

The plan identified immediate opportunities to implement recommendations. Tackling

The Erie Downtown Partnership, as its name implies, focuses its revitalization efforts on a 70-block expanse from Sassafras to Holland streets between Erie’s Bayfront and 14th Street. It works to create a safer, cleaner and greener downtown that fosters business growth and attracts people for shopping, entertainment and culture. Its Erie Downtown Master Plan is a 10-year blueprint to guide downtown development.

One challenge facing Erie’s central business district is a high concentration of subsidized housing and social service agencies. “These services are important, but this model is outdated and prevents investment,” said

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Emerge 2040 – Destination Erie 25-year plan includes the Erie County region Introduced March 2015 www.emerge2040.org

City of Erie Comprehensive Plan – Erie Refocused 10-year plan developed for the City of Erie Introduced April 2016 www.erie.pa.us

Erie Downtown Master Plan 10-year plan addresses a specific downtown area Introduced May 2016 www.eriedowntown.com www.icareforerie.com

Our West Bayfront Community Plan 10-year plan designed to enrich defined neighborhoods within the City of Erie Introduced June 2016 www.ourwestbayfront.org

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John Buchna, CEO of the Erie Downtown Partnership. “We need to lessen and/or relocate these services to reclaim downtown for business prosperity and investment that has a positive multiplier effect.”

Erie-GAINS coordinates initiatives between the university, government agencies, community organizations and businesses to benefit the neighborhoods surrounding the urban campus.

To that end, the master plan recommends creating four well-defined districts, each with its own brand to reach specific markets: Bayfront (bayfront activities and medical), Perry Square (government and business), Renaissance (innovation, entertainment and retail), and Union Square (transitoriented development, housing and offices).

As the OWB evolved into a more structured group, a consultant identified areas of concern.

Housing, safety, renovation and parks improvements were among the key findings incorporated into the 2016 Our West Bayfront Community Plan.

“Establishing a walkable, bikeable downtown that is well appointed with good signage and streetscaping will create a better visitor experience,” Buchna said.

His organization is establishing key action plans to work with Erie Refocused and Emerge 2040 plans to prioritize investment.

Our West Bayfront (OWB) is a community-driven group with a steering committee as diverse as the neighborhood itself – residents, landlords, nonprofits, businesses, employees and representatives of Gannon University, its largest and perhaps most well-known resident.

“Our West Bayfront is a variety of neighborhoods where students live alongside longtime residents, businesses and organizations, all of whom are investing in this vibrant community,” said Erika Ramalho, director of Erie-GAINS (Gannon Alliances to Improve Neighborhood Sustainability).

A top recommendation is creating affordable infill housing on underused properties or vacant lots. The Erie Housing and Neighborhood Development Service (HANDS) and the city’s HOME Investment Partnership Program worked to provide $280,000 of funding to build two new homes in the Our West Bayfront community.

The plan calls for a housing renovation program to provide no- or low-interest loans to homeowners and landlords for façade improvements. It also includes efforts to designate a portion of West 8th Street as a neighborhood business district.

“Other recommendations that can make a real difference – trimming trees to brighten the neighborhood and installing security cameras and lighting – will make the area safer and more walkable,” Ramalho said.

She said the OWB group soon will name a neighborhood manager to develop and coordinate initiatives and implement the plan, and Gannon will remain a partner in the process.

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Promote your business in our next issue! CONTACT US

ON THE LEADING EDGE a message from BARBARA CHAFFEE CEO / President We experienced a successful October with our Erie Homecoming, Business Showcase, & Celebration of Excellence. Thank you for your support.

We occasionally hear from those involved in the community for decades about the former Erie Conference, an organization of CEOs in the region addressing transformational initiatives. Two of their achievements were addressing the city’s aging water infrastructure and our transportation infrastructure. I had the privilege of serving on the water infrastructure task force under the leadership of Carl Schlemmer years ago.

In 2002, a decision was made to merge three nonprofits – The Erie Conference on Community Development, Erie Insight and

The Erie Area Chamber. The new organization is now known as The Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership. ERCGP is comprised of three divisions — The Chamber, Economic Development and The Growth Partnership. The Growth Partnership division is comprised of 112 CEOs focused on strategic and transformational initiatives for the region through collaboration with others and is represented by 20 CEOs in monthly committee and agenda-setting meetings. Four CEO Roundtables are held throughout the year for our Growth Partnership members.

There are numerous transformational initiatives currently being considered or addressed. Over the past few years there has been tremendous involvement and energy in Destination Erie/Emerge 2040 and Erie Refocused, Erie’s comprehensive plan.

ERCGP continues to work on growth for all three of our divisions, knowing that there is strength in numbers, diversity and collaboration.

from the CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

by Regina Smith The Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership welcomed nearly 100 new members in 2016!

Over the past year, we delivered many exciting business networking opportunities with our signature events and Business After Hours gatherings.

We encourage anyone who has not attended a Business After Hours event to do so.

There is a particular kind of energy that reverberates at these gatherings. It’s an uncommon opportunity to network at a host business and experience the ambiance and inner workings of a fellow member business.

Our signature events continue to draw record crowds and our members are able 6

to have their logo and company information out front and center. Those events include: Annual Golf Outing in May, Fall Member Fest (lobster!), Annual Meeting and Celebration of Excellence, and our newest community events, Erie Homecoming and Business Showcase. And we must not forget the immensely popular Beer on the Bay! Check out the Save the Date here in the Erie Edge and mark your calendar now for all our 2017 events!

We’ve had a lot going on this past year with much more to come in 2017! We would encourage you to call us now to lock up your event and publication sponsorships. Studies have proven people are much more likely to do business with a Chamber member business. Advertise! Call us if you have any questions about the advantage of Chamber membership.

from the GROWTH PARTNERSHIP

by Ben Pratt

There is no doubt that 2016 has had its ups and downs — a shift in employment of one of the top employers in the region, while another announced a $135 investment into the City of Erie. Erie’s economy is clearly transitioning, and as responsible economic and community developers, we must change with it … and this time Erie is ahead of the game.

The Growth Partnership was and continues to be actively involved with the City of Erie’s comprehensive plan “Erie Refocused,” the Our West Bayfront Community Plan and the Downtown Master Plan. The consistency with the findings and the alignment with the community’s regional plan for sustainability, Emerge 2040, is no accident. As we have heard from all of these planning efforts, how we invest our community’s resources as we grow through this economic transition must be strategic, purposeful and generate a return on investment. So what is next?

It is clear that the greatest return on community investment is achieved by addressing critical issues within the City of Erie. A strong vibrant city creates jobs and fosters additional growth for businesses throughout the entire region. We must address the Erie School District; the clear inadequacies of funding for our schools is not only detrimental for our youth, but it also prevents people from investing in residential real estate. That being said, the residential real estate market has to be a top priority.

With an excess supply of housing and a significant amount of blight in the city, a clear and coordinated strategy of blight mitigation tied to strategic redevelopment aligned with neighborhood planning efforts is a big next step. We must evaluate our tax structure and determine how to better support private real estate investment in the city and work towards creating an environment to bring more jobs into the city. There are great projects ahead and we are looking forward to a very exciting 2017.

about ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

by Jake Rouch

Because of all of you – Erie’s business leaders – the First Annual Erie Homecoming & Erie Business Showcase was an overwhelming success. Thank you.

The entire process of planning and executing Erie Homecoming & Erie Business Showcase was energizing for the staff and Board of the Erie Regional Chamber. We heard loud and clear that we have allies all over the world who want to help Erie succeed. We received constructive, insightful feedback on what was working and where we needed to improve.

We connected with many of you – and connected you with each other. We created something positive, progressive and solutionoriented that we all want to continue and grow.

We cannot wait to host next year’s Erie Homecoming & Erie Business Showcase with all of you and share with all our guests the story of the Innovation District – featuring VNET’s visionary plan – in downtown Erie. Or the dramatic reinvestment of Erie Insurance’s $135 million corporate campus expansion.

Or the groundbreaking for Scott Enterprise’s Harbor Place investment.

Erie is moving in the right direction. Erie is coming together. Erie is taking control of its future. Each of you plays a role in this evolution – and we are here to help you in any way we can.

Do not bother looking back – there is much to look forward to.

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UNCOMMON KNOWLEDGE

The year when the Erie Land Lighthouse was last lit, on Christmas Eve. The lighthouse was first built in 1818 and replaced in 1856.

Source: Wikipedia

The average amount American consumers plan to spend during the holiday shopping season this year.

Source: National Retail Federation

The number of holiday cookies Icing on the Lake made and baked last year!

Source: Icing on the Lake

364 The number of wieners made per day during peak season by Smith Provision Co. of Erie.

Source: Smith’s Hotdogs

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Total amount of gifts in the Twelve Days of Christmas.

PHOTO GALLERIE

Day of Excellence| October 25, 2016

Mill Creek Coffee BAH | October 20, 2016

NutriMost of Erie & River of Life Chiropractic | October 3, 2016

Erie Ambassador’s Erie Water Works Tour

Donatos Pizza | October 18, 2016

Altair & Renaissance Center BAH| November 17, 2016

The YMCA | October 24, 2016

Erie Ambassadors Fall Class Orientation| 2016

Selah Time| November 7, 2016

NEWS from ERIE

E vents

R ecognitions 2017 Board of Directors

Business After Hours

A monthly members-only networking event of the ERCGP. On average, 250 to 300 business professionals attend.

December 15, 5-7 p.m.

Erie Homes for Children and Adults 4950 West 23rd Street January 19, 5-7 p.m.

American Red Cross 4961 Pittsburgh Avenue February 16, 5-7 p.m.

Erie Day School 1372 West 6th Street Check out our Calendar of Events to register! •

See page 16 for our 2017 Save the Dates!

Marsha Marsh, Chair - Marsha Marsh Real Estate Services Thomas Tupitza, Vice Chair - Knox McLaughlin Gornall and Sennett, P.C. David Tullio, Secretary - Custom Engineering Company Ken Nelson, Treasurer - Times Publishing Company Kevin Arrington - Young Entrepreneur Society Jay Badams - School District of the City of Erie Michael Colpoys - National Fuel Gas Distribution Corp.

Michael Edwards - Marquette Savings Bank Mark Fatica - Great Lakes Automation Services, Inc./AMi Jeff Favre - Presque Isle Downs and Casino Jim Fiorenzo - UPMC Hamot Dr. Ralph Ford - Penn State Erie, The Behrend College Boo Hagerty - Hamot Health Foundation Timothy Hunter - McInnes Rolled Rings Bruce Kern - C.A. Curtze Co., Inc. Charles Knight - Schaffner, Knight, Minnaugh & Company P.C. Lisa Koshan - Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield James Martin - Northwest Savings Bank Robert Mazza - Mazza Vineyards Jack Munch - Baldwin Brothers, Inc. Tim NeCastro - Erie Insurance Group Richard Novotny - Redevelopment Authority, County of Erie Brenda Sandberg - Erie-Western PA Port Authority Greg Sbrocco - GE Transportation Nick Scott, Jr. - Scott Enterprises Jim Stevenson - PNC Financial Services Group Keith Szewczyk - Sunburst Electronics Dr. Keith Taylor - Gannon University Dr. Michael Victor - Mercyhurst University Dr. H. Fred Walker - Edinboro University of PA Laith Wardi - ExecutivePulse, Inc. Jenny Weigold-Geertson - UPMC Health Plan Scott Whalen - Saint Vincent Hospital Scott Wyman - Penelec Partner Appointees William Lillis - Young Erie Professionals John Oliver - VisitErie James Rutkowski, Jr. - Economic Development Corp.

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I

nvestors

E ntertainment

Welcome New and Upgraded Investors joining us from September 19, 2016 - December 2016!

Silver Level Investor Hamot Health Foundation The Westminster Group

Bronze Level Investors Courtyard by Marriott Erie Bayfront Hotel

Investor Level Members Accudyn Products, Inc. Apogee IT Services Ark Hospitality, LLC Comfort Keepers Donatos Pizza Eagle’s Nest Leadership Corporation Erie View Hotel and View Ultra Lounge Escape Game Erie LLC Lake Erie Mortgage Services Royal Franchising Selah Time LLC Strongman Services LLC The Pittsburgh Inn Windsor Beach Technology

What’s on your nightstand?

The following are Bill Gate’s favorite reads from 2016: String Theory, by David Foster Wallace.

Shoe Dog, by Phil Knight.

The Gene, by Siddhartha Mukherjee.

The Myth of the Strong Leader, by Archie Brown.

The Grid, by Gretchen Bakke.

Purchase any of these at AmazonSmile and choose the Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership as your charity of choice! Amazon will donate a portion of your eligible purchase to our organization.

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YOUR MEMBERSHIP EDGE The ERCGP would like to say thank you to our 2016 event sponsors!

Without your continued support, our events would not have been the success they were.We look forward to working with you in 2017!

Signature Event Sponsors: Erie Federal Credit Union, GE Transportation, National Fuel, and National Fuel Resources.

2016 Sponsors: Golf Outing, Beer on the Bay, Fall Member Fest, Day of Excellence, Erie Homecoming Acoustic Sheep Appalachian Brewing Co. Arvite Arvite Technologies Ayinger Brewery B.F. Fields Moving & Storage Baker Photo Bay Harbor Marina Bel-Aire Clarion Hotel & Conference Center Ben Franklin Bestfootforward Advertising Buffalo Wild Wings C. H. Reams Associates C.A. Curtze Career Street Chautauqua Region ED Corp Chef Kal Darres Citizens Bank City of Erie Creative Imprint Systems Cumulus Custom Engineering Decision Associates DuClaw Brewing Edinboro Beverage Electronic Communication Services Emergycare EMTA Erie Beer Erie Brewing Company Erie Co. Adult Probation Work Crew Erie County Gaming Revenue Authority Erie Ice Works Erie Insurance Erie Philharmonic Erie Playhouse Erie Regional Airport Authority Erie Water Works Erie Yellow Cab/Care Cab Erie-Western PA Port Authority Evil Genius Beer Company First National Bank Five & 20 Brewery Flaherty & O’Hara

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Franco’s Café Gannon University Glenwood Beer GoErie.com Gohrs On Demand Great Lakes Automation Great Lakes Manufacturing Grifols BioMat HBKW HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital HERO BX Highmark BCBS Hospice Hunter Erie Truck Sales Industrial Process Management Consultants Industrial Sales & Manufacturing Innovation Collaborative Insurance Management Interstate Chemical Jimmy John’s John V Schultz Key Bank Knox Law Firm Lindemans Brewery Logistics Plus Lord Corp Lorei Portraits MacDonald Illig Jones Maple Donuts Marquette Savings Bank Marsha Marsh Real Estate Services Max & Erma’s Mazza Vineyards McCarty Printing McInnes Rolled Rings Merrill Lynch Wealth Management Metz Culinary Michael Chevalier & Marcy Haller Millcreek Brewing Company Molly Brannigans Multiscope National Fuel New Belgium Brewing North Country Brewing Company

ANOTHER ERCGP MEMBER BENEFIT

Ommegang Brewery Panera Bread Penelec Penn Beer Penn Brewery Penn State Behrend PETRA Restaurant Plyer Enterprises PNC Bank Potratz Floral Shop Presque Isle Downs & Casino Presque Isle Tent & Table PSB Quality Management Services Quinn Law Firm Rog’s Inc. Samuel Smith Brewery Schaffner, Knight, Minnaugh & Co. Scott Enterprises Seneca Resorts & Casino Shipyard Brewing Company with Sea Dog Sierra Nevada Brewing Company Signs Now Silkscreen Unlimited Smith Provisions South Shore Party Rental Springhill Suites by Marriott Studio Hue Team Hardinger The Brewerie at Union Station Thefastmall eBay Selling Services Thirsty Dog Brewing Company Tom Kaspick Consulting UPMC Hamot Utz Quality Foods Vicary Insurance VisitErie Vistage Weyerbacher Brewing Company Whitehall Group Whitetail Electronics Young Entrepreneur Society

Sponsorships are available for 2017!

Contact us for details, 814-454-7191 x123.

CUTTING THE RIBBON

Did you know?

As a member of the Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership, our ribbon-cutting service is offered to new or expanding businesses commemorating a milestone!

Contact our Event Coordinator Cathy Noble to get more information and set your date!

Keystone Alliance Mortgage

We look forward to celebrating with you!

September 29, 2016

Circulatory Centers October 4, 2016

Unishippers November 3, 2016

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UPCOMING ERIEVENTS

Business After Hours

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•

January 19: American Red Cross

•

August 17: Andover Bank

•

February 16: Erie Day School

•

September 14: Erie Federal Credit Union

•

March 16: Cove Forge Behavioral Health

•

•

April 20: Hooch & Blotto’s

October 12: Networking Technologies/Teceri Technologies and VooDoo Brewery

•

May 18: Sheraton Erie Bayfront

•

November 16: Hagan Business Machines

•

June 15: Shriners Hospitals for Children

•

December 14: Peek’n Peak Resort and Spa

•

July 13: Mercyhurst University NE

All Business After Hours events take place on Thursday evenings from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

ERCGP Signature Events

YEP Signature Events

•

Annual Golf Outing Day 1 May 24, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

Peek’n Peak Resort and Spa

•

YEP Kick Ball for Kids August 12, 8-6 p.m.

Harbor Creek Community Park

•

Annual Golf Outing Day 2 May 25, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

Peek’n Peak Resort and Spa

•

YEP Toys for Tots Gift Wrapping Event December 10, 4-8 p.m.

Bourbon Barrel

•

Fall Member Fest September 20, 4-8 p.m.

Shades Beach

•

Annual Meeting November 8, 3:30-4:30 p.m.

Bayfront Convention Center

•

Celebration of Excellence November 8, 5-8 p.m.

Bayfront Convention Center

Community Events • Beer on the Bay

July 22,12 p.m.-8 p.m.

Liberty Park – Bayfront • Erie Homecoming & Erie Business Showcase TBA

‌ g n i c u d o Intr

The Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership is excited to sponsor this new event in 2017 for the Erie area!

The goal of Erie Restaurant Week is to highlight the delicious, numerous and diverse dining options in the community and throughout the region. Restaurant weeks in other areas have been successful and are typically designed to boost business during what is normally a slower time of the year.

Which is why we have chosen March 6 through 11 for Erie Restaurant Week 2017.

During that week, restaurants will offer prix-fixe meals and special menus giving diners the opportunity to experience the area’s dining options and not break the

bank doing it! In our research and planning, we found buy-one-get-one (bogo) options and two-course lunch/three-course dinner options to be the most popular offerings in other communities. We will share the options of our participating restaurants by posting their special restaurant week menus on eriepa.com and via social media. Of course you will be able to order your meals from their regular menus as well!

Want to participate? Contact our office, 454-7191 x139, for an application and complete details!

Follow Erie Restaurant Week on Facebook and Twitter! #ERIERW #ErieEats #eriepa

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A CHANCE

TO WIN

2 TICKETS TO THE

ERIE PLAYHOUSE PRODUCTION,

A CHORUS LINE! SUBMIT YOUR ANSWER TO THE FOLLOWING: The number of municipalities located in Erie County is...

SUBMIT ANSWER

Find the answer in the pages of the Erie Edge magazine!

Contest ends 1/6/17!

BRING YOUR CONFERENCE TO ERIE! FREE Convention Services: • Hotel Proposal Gathering • Site Visit Coordination • Media Release Distribution

• Promotional Materials • VIP Gift Baskets • Name Badges

CALL US FIRST! Joe Holody Director of Convention Marketing, Sales & Services 814.454.1000 x 126 | jholody@visiterie.com | visiterie.com/meetingplanner VISITERIE MAJOR SPONSORS:

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MEMBER DIRECTERIE Accommodations - B & B Accommodations - Cottages Accommodations - Hotel / Motel Accounting Advertising / Marketing Advertising Specialties Animal Specialties Apartments Appliance Sales & Service Architects / Design Arts / Entertainment Attorneys Auctioneers - On Line Audio / Visual Services Authorities Auto / Tires / Repair Auto / Truck / Parts / Service Auto / Truck Rentals Auto Dealers Bakeries Banks / Credit Unions Beauty Salons Beer - Brewers / Distributors Boating Building - Materials & Supplies Building / Construction Materials Business Associations Business Financial Services Business Services Campgrounds Casinos Catering Cemeteries & Memorial Parks Chambers Of Commerce Charitable Organizations Chiropractors Churches / Religious Services Cleaning Services Colleges / Universities Commercial Truck Sales Computer Sales / Services Concrete - Contractors Concrete - Ready Mix Construction Management Consultants Consultants - Engineering Consultants - Environmental Consultants - Human Resource Consultants - Software Consultants - Technology Contractors - Electrical Contractors - Excavating Contractors - General Contractors - Heating / Air Conditioning Contractors - Paint / Dry Wall Contractors - Plumbing & Heating Contractors - Roofing Contractors - Specialty Counseling Day Spas Daycare Dentists Disposal Service

Distribution / Warehousing Dry Clean / Laundry Economic Development Education Electrical Supply Employee Benefits Employment Service Fasteners - Industrial Financial Services Fitness Florists Food Service Freight Forwarding Agent Funeral Homes / Service Furniture Sales / Service Gasoline / Fuel Generator Systems Golf Courses Government / Municipalities Grocery / Conv. / Produce Hair Care / Beauty / Massage Therapy Health Care Health Food Homecare Hospitals Industrial Supply / Equipment Insurance International Trade Service Internet Service Provider Kitchen Remodeling Landscaping Services Lawn & Garden Supplies Lawn / Tree Care Limousine Service Machine Shops Mail Service / Shipping Manufacturers - Chemicals Manufacturers - Electronics Manufacturers - Equipment Manufacturers - Food / Beverage Manufacturers - Machine Manufacturers - Medical Equipment Manufacturers - Metal Finishing Manufacturers - Metal Products Manufacturers - Misc.

Manufacturers - Paper Manufacturers - Plastic Manufacturers - Steel Manufacturers - Tool & Die Manufacturers - Windows Manufacturers - Wood Manufacturing Services Media Mental Health Services Metal Finishing Motorcycle / Repair / Sales Moving Natural Gas Nonprofit Organizations Office Equipment Office Furniture Office Supplies Paint Supplier

Payroll Services Pest Control Photographers Physicians / Surgeons Printers Publishers Real Estate - Commercial Real Estate - Developers Real Estate - Management Real Estate - Mortgages Real Estate - Residential Real Estate - Title Service Records Management Recreation Recycling Rehabilitation / Therapy Rental Service Residential Care Restaurants Restaurants - Cafe Restaurants - Pizza Restaurants - Taverns Restoration Retail Retail - Carpet / Floors Retail - Chocolate Retail - Dept. Stores Retail - Furnishings Retail - Gallery Retail - Hardware Retail - Jewelry Retail - Jewelry / Design Retail - Resale Retail - Specialty Stores Retail - Sporting Goods Safety Consultant Security / Safety Signs Social Clubs Social Service Specialty Stores Storage / Warehouse Surveying / Engineering Telecommunications Telecommunications Consultants Telephone Service Testing Lab Toilets - Portable Tourist Information Center Training Transportation - Medical Transportation - Misc.

Transportation Services Trucking Uniform Services Utilities Veterinarians Video Water Treatment Web Design Wholesalers - General Merchandise Wholesalers - Steel Wineries

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On the WATER’S EDGE