More than 50 attendees and 25 Cayuga Nation representatives gathered in Seneca Falls on Oct. 21 for a Business After Hours event featuring business demonstrations, prize drawings and a chamber award for Community Bank.
The Cayuga Nation hosted the gathering with the Seneca County Chamber of Commerce at its community center, the former Deerhead Restaurant overlooking Cayuga Lake. The event marked National Support Your Local Chamber of Commerce Day, according to a Cayuga Nation account.
Visitors explore the Nation's businesses
Communications and Marketing Manager Jeff Macharyas gave attendees a small “passport” to guide them through stations representing the Nation's enterprises. Visitors collected Cayuga Nation seal stamps, and completed passports went into a drawing for a cooler stocked with locally sourced LakeView Cattle Co. beef.
A timeline of Cayuga Nation history led visitors toward a live recording of Highly Appropriate, the Sweet Grass Dispensary podcast. The dispensary showcased its products, while Housing Operations Manager Tina Orbaker discussed the Nation's economic and social role in the community.
LakeSide Trading General Manager Tiffany Dwyer presented the Nation's convenience stores and offered drawings for a basket valued at $145 and a $200 gift card.
Nation Council Member Johnny Dekanski represented Gakwiyo Garden, the Nation's farm in Seneca Falls. Attendees took home more than 50 large bags of onions and garlic.
Great Swamp Enterprises General Manager Crissy Murphy demonstrated cigarette assembly and presented Harford Glen Water. A video explained the production of Wio bottled water, including its source in the Nation's 250-foot-deep aquifer.
Kristin Sandroni, the Seneca Falls Museum and Tourism Center's social media, marketing and events specialist, won the LakeView Cattle beef box containing more than 10 pounds of beef.
Cayuga Nation Police Superintendent Paul Daugherty and Deputy Superintendent Jeff Ross discussed department procedures. LakeSide Entertainment dealers also introduced visitors to Cayuga 3-Card, a poker-derived game, with $300 in chips awarded for redemption at the Seneca Falls casino.
Community Bank receives chamber award
Clint Halftown, the Nation's CEO and federal representative, thanked attendees and introduced the awards portion of the gathering.
The Seneca County Chamber named Community Bank its Business of the Month. Branch Manager Kendra Halftown and other bank representatives received the recognition from chamber President and CEO Jeff Shipley.
Food came from Wegmans, with wine from Seneca County Chamber member wineries and beer from LakeSide Trading. The Nation's Director of Administration Brooke Colizzi and Director of Non-Gaming Operations Michael Arilotta hosted the refreshments.
Neighboring chambers join the gathering
The event also drew representatives of the Cayuga County, FLX and newly formed Savannah chambers.
Participants included Cayuga County Chamber Executive Director Amy Fuller, FLX Chamber President Miranda Odell and Community Relations and Programs Coordinator Jared Pierce.
Seneca County Chamber representatives included Communications Director Samantha Maslyn, Office Administrator Deb Robinson, Visitor Center Coordinator Pat Abbott and Partner Engagement Manager Casey Bouch.
The Nation credited Laura and James Davis, co-owners of Angelique's Brewtiful Coffee Stop, with supporting the new Savannah Chamber.
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