The Finger Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce brought networking to new tracks with its November Business After Hours Mixer, held aboard the Finger Lakes Railway on November 13. The unique event, part of the Chamber’s Business After Hours Season Pass Program, offered attendees an exclusive one-hour ride on a vintage 1950s railcar, complete with refreshments and insights into the railway’s history and operations.
Coordinated by Finger Lakes Railway Manager of Business Development and Passenger Operations, Bruce Habberfield, the evening included a lively discussion about the railway’s history and its role in the region. Habberfield also addressed the company’s strengths and challenges and highlighted career opportunities within the organization.
Finger Lakes Railway, a short-line railroad headquartered in Geneva, operates over 150 miles of track across six Finger Lakes counties, connecting with major railroads including CSX and Norfolk Southern. Since its founding in 1995, the railway has grown to serve 90 customers and employs over 50 full-time staff with a fleet of 19 locomotives. Beyond freight operations, the railway is known for its community involvement, including popular Santa Train Rides in partnership with local nonprofits.
Photo by Riley Earl Photography captured guests enjoying the historic passenger car. Among those featured were Chamber staff and FLR personnel, including Bruce Habberfield, engineers Tyler Marquart and Ryne Smith, and Chamber representatives Miranda Odell, Tara Sauve, and Justin Blue.
The Chamber expressed gratitude to Finger Lakes Railway for hosting the mixer, noting the event’s success in fostering connections and offering a memorable experience for attendees.
The next Business After Hours event, a Holiday Open House, is scheduled for December 18 from 5-7 p.m. at One Franklin Square in Geneva. Highlights include discounted professional headshot sessions by Justina Holcomb of Naturally Chic Photography. Reservations are required, with tickets priced at $10 for members and $20 for non-members.
Business After Hours events, held monthly, are open to the public and supported by the Chamber’s 2024 Annual Partners, including Canandaigua National Bank, Casella Waste Systems, and Seneca Lake Resorts. For more information about upcoming events or becoming a Chamber member, visit flxchamber.com.
FingerLakes1.com is the region’s leading all-digital news publication. The company was founded in 1998 and has been keeping residents informed for more than two decades. Have a lead? Send it to [email protected].