Tompkins Chamber’s Tavares tapped to chair CANYS board

ITHACA, N.Y. — Tompkins County Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Jennifer Tavares was recently elected to her second term on the Chamber Alliance of New York State (CANYS) board and also named chairperson of the board for 2022.

“I’m honored to continue my board service with CANYS and take on the role of chairperson this year,” Tavares said in a news release. “I am passionate about the work chambers do, the ways we reflect both the uniqueness and complexity of our communities, impact our local economies, and enhance quality of life. I am proud to support the work of CANYS and continue to elevate one of the most influential business organizations in New York state.”

Tavares has an extensive background in chamber-of-commerce leadership including serving the Tompkins Chamber as president and CEO since July 2014. She previously was director of economic development for Commerce Chenango and led the Potsdam Chamber of Commerce prior to that.

In her role at the Tompkins Chamber, Tavares has developed the chamber’s organizational capacity and member-engagement outcomes, fostered a 50-percent growth in the tourism division, implemented a workforce-attraction initiative, and participated in community-development projects such as the Tompkins Center for History and Culture and the Ithaca Downtown Conference Center.

Most recently, Tavares worked through the Tompkins Chamber Foundation to attract $300,000 in grant funding to support microenterprise development in the county.

The Chamber Alliance of New York State says it is an association of chambers of commerce dedicated to providing members with education and insight into the latest trends and issues facing chambers, member businesses, and the communities they serve. It also provides a forum for peers to connect and collaborate across the state.