Greater Binghamton Chamber to host single day women’s conference on Wednesday

BINGHAMTON, N.Y. — Breakout sessions, networking, and a comedian to begin the program are all scheduled as part of THRIVE 2021 in Binghamton.

The Greater Binghamton Chamber of Commerce will host the inaugural women’s conference on Wednesday at the DoubleTree by Hilton — and virtually — with New York State Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul as the keynote speaker.

“Because women make up roughly half the workforce and have been heavily impacted by COVID-19,” the Chamber decided to launch THRIVE 2021 to “continue to support their personal and professional development,” per a news release about the event.

The event is scheduled between 8:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. It will offer two options for attendees — in-person (based on current capacity guidelines with all safety protocols and social distancing in place) and a virtual option via Zoom.

The entire schedule of session topics, speakers and their biographies can be found at https://greaterbinghamtonchamber.com/thrive-womens-conference.

“THRIVE 2021 was developed in collaboration with some amazing women in our community. The conference is designed to offer both personal and professional development programs and to celebrate the contributions that women have made to our economy and community,” Stacey Duncan, president & CEO of the Greater Binghamton Chamber of Commerce, said. “We are thrilled to have Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul offer our keynote. She has been a supporter of Upstate communities for years and we look forward to her personal and professional insights as a female leader.”

Hochul began her career in public service on her local town board before serving as Erie County Clerk, and then as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives for New York’s 26th Congressional District. Since 2015, she has served as the highest-ranking female elected official in New York State government.

“I helped my mother start her flower shop and my sister her [information technology] firm, and I saw firsthand the obstacles that women entrepreneurs face,” Hochul said. “As we focus on our economic recovery, the first-ever THRIVE 2021 conference will not only serve as an important opportunity for women business leaders to highlight how we break down barriers, but also boost the Southern Tier economy and create jobs.”

Hochul also serves as chair of the statewide Regional Economic Development Councils.

The day’s presentations begin with Meghan Hanley, a comedian from Brooklyn.

The session topics range from “Making Yourself a Priority” to “Strategies for Turning a No into a Yes” to “Empowering the Next Generation of Women” and “Financial Skills is Not Buying Stuff,” the Chamber said.

The day will conclude with an Expo of products and services for women with door prizes and networking.