5/17/05
Business
Showcase 2005
(Cortland
Standard)
To the Editor:
I’d
like to thank the many people and organizations that made
the 2005 Cortland County Business Showcase possible. We’ve
been overwhelmed with the positive response to this year’s
event, and believe me it makes all of the effort worthwhile.
At the top of our list is our presenting sponsor,
First Niagara Bank, as well as supporting sponsors Suit-Kote
Corp., the Cortland Standard, and Graphics Plus Printing.
Special thanks also goes out to John Hoeschele and Drum
Creative Communications, Corp, whose creative talents gave
the Showcase a great new look and feel. We must also
acknowledge the J.M. McDonald Sports Complex board of
directors for their support of something completely new and
different, and SUNY Cortland President Erik Bitterbaum and
his staff for supporting us in our belief that change can be
good. Most certainly, we can’t say enough about the
positive attitude and professionalism of the Sports Complex
staff members Jim Kenney, Paul Semeraro, Sue Covington, and
Tammie Sciera.
Our volunteer support for this year’s show was also
outstanding, with Ric VanDonsel of Riehlman, Shafer &
Shafer; Teri Keegan of Country Inn & Suites; Brenda
Cottone of Citadel Communications, Jim Sponaugle, City of
Cortland; and a host of others lending their time and their
talents to the months-long planning and production process.
We also appreciate the great partnership we had with
Cortland Transit and those nearby businesses and agencies
that made their surface lot parking available to us –
Niagara Mohawk, the Cortland Health Center, the state DEC,
Grace Christian Fellowship, the City of Cortland, the
Cortland City School District, the Homer Avenue P&C, and
Joe Cammillo.
Thanks also to Ames Linen Service, Kris Reynolds
Photography, TLC Emergency Services, the Riverside P&C,
Pall Corp., the wonderful volunteers from the county’s
RSVP program, CNY DJ Mike VanSteenburg, Bailey’s Karate
School, Nick Kline and the YMCA, Bob Pass and the Hula Hoop
Crew from New York State Electric and Gas, the USA Women’s
Handball team, the Lime Hollow Nature Center, public address
announcer Bruce Eves, and Lucy the Whale’s “keeper,”
Diane Craft of SUNY Cortland.
The Showcase got off to a great start with Friday’s
Preview Party, and it could not have been pulled off without
our sponsor, KeyBank, as well as the steady guidance of
Peter Seznic, of Cortland Produce Cash & Carry. More
than 650 people enjoyed great jazz by the Dave Salce Trio
and refreshments offered by the Rusty Nail, the Glen Haven,
Pinnacle Catering, M&D Deli Central, the Hollywood,
Pestos at the Holiday Inn, Cortland Produce, and the Tuscan
Grill – a true “Taste of Cortland.”
Finally, I want to thank our members, our board, and our
dedicated staff for all their hard work and unsung efforts
on behalf of the Chamber and the Cortland community. The
weekend would not have been possible without each and every
one of you!
Sincerely,
Garry VanGorder
Executive Director
Cortland County Chamber of Commerce