The Chamber and Skills in Scranton to Host Annual Workforce Summit on April 4 Skills in Scranton, the workforce development affiliate of The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce, hosts the fourth annual Workforce Summit and Career Fair on Thursday, April 4, at the Radisson Lackawanna Station Hotel. The event will supply invaluable resources for individuals seeking career advancement opportunities and professional development in northeastern Pennsylvania. Attendees can look forward to engaging speaker presentations focusing on career readiness and exploring various career pathways. The panelists, representing organizations from across the region, will share insights, strategies, and best practices to empower attendees in navigating their professional journeys. “We are thrilled to host the annual Workforce Summit and Career Fair, bringing together professionals, organizations, and aspiring individuals from our community,” said Emily Pettinato, workforce development specialist at the Chamber. “This event underscores our commitment to fostering talent development, bridging the gap between education and employment, and driving economic growth in our region.” Teri Ooms, executive director of The Institute, will provide the keynote session titled “State of the Workforce.” Ooms will educate the audience on crucial insights into the current state of the workforce, trends, challenges, and opportunities for both employers and job seekers in the greater Scranton region. New to the Workforce Summit this year is the significant participation of high school seniors from Lackawanna County schools. It’s expected that 194 high school students will attend on Thursday, April 4. This initiative aims to guide and inspire the next generation of professionals in discovering their career pathways, equipping them with essential knowledge and resources for future success. Tickets for the event are still available for purchase at ScrantonChamber.com.
Episode Eight: All Things Chamber Don’t Miss the Update The Chamber Influencers are volunteers from member businesses who create connections for new members, connect members to other members, connect members to events, programs, and services, and more. Submit Your Member News! Use the online form to submit your business news, upcoming sales, new services, and more. Your news will be shared on the Thursday member eBlast or future publications of Momentum Magazine. Event Update Skills in Scranton’s networking program, Like Mind Meet Up, scheduled for Thursday, March 21, is canceled. Upcoming Chamber Events EVENT PAGE MEMBER BENEFITS
Episode Seven: All Things Chamber Don’t Miss the Update Leadership Lackawanna is accepting applications for three programs: Tomorrow’s Leadership Today, Core, and Welcome Scranton. Learn more at LeadershipLackawanna.com. Did You Know? The Chamber’s Government Affairs and Advocacy Committee works directly with elected officials at the city, state, and federal levels on behalf of the member. Learn more and read about The Chamber’s 2023/2024 priorities. The Chamber is Hiring. Join the Chamber staff and help attract, sustain, and grow businesses in northeastern PA. Complete the Survey The survey will take less than one minute to complete. Let the Chamber know your thoughts about the new “All Things Chamber” video series. Click the button below to access the survey today. SURVEY Event Update The March 19 Capitol Conversations with Secretary Nancy Walker is rescheduled for Wednesday, April 10. Register today to attend. Upcoming Chamber Events EVENT PAGE MEMBER BENEFITS
The Chamber Welcomes New Employees: Day and Gambucci The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce announces the hire of Maria Day as the new IGNITE Program Manager. IGNITE is the entrepreneurship program of The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce As the IGNITE Program Manager, Day will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of entrepreneurship in Lackawanna County. Her primary responsibility will include orchestrating strategic vision through innovative education, counseling, influential networking, and mentorship support. “The Chamber is thrilled to welcome Maria as the new IGNITE Program Manager,” shared Aaron Whitney, director of facilities and asset management. “With her understanding of entrepreneurship, she will propel the program to new heights, significantly contributing to the growth of businesses and job opportunities within our community.” Day holds a master’s degree in public administration from Marywood University. Prior to joining The Chamber, she worked as the Senior Undergraduate Admissions Counselor at Marywood University. She brings expertise and passion for fostering entrepreneurial ecosystems to her new role. Day shares, “I am very excited to be joining the Chamber! I am eager to work with The Chamber and IGNITE Program to expand local entrepreneurship and business opportunities.” Under Day’s leadership, the IGNITE program aims to provide comprehensive support to entrepreneurs and startups in the greater Scranton area, accomplishing The Chamber’s mission of attracting, sustaining, and growing businesses in northeastern PA. The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the hire of Marla Gambucci as the new Communications Manager. In this role, Gambucci will serve as the primary graphic designer for The Chamber and its affiliate organizations, oversee content creation and management of social media accounts, maintain and update Chamber and affiliates’ websites, and provide invaluable support to Chamber events and programming. An alumna of Marywood University, Gambucci holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Graphic Design. “We are excited to welcome Marla to our Chamber team where she brings a fresh perspective to the every changing communications work space,” shared Bob Durkin, president of The Chamber. Gambucci is a dance instructor and choreographer outside the Chamber at Carmel Ardito School of Dance. With Stephanie Ventura-Juarez’s departure, Gambucci assumes the role of communications manager. “The Chamber has allowed me to create art that makes a difference. I am excited to utilize my skills to impact the community, promote important values of business development, and help more people learn about The Chamber,” shared Marla Gambucci. Gambucci officially assumed her role as Communications Manager on February 26, 2024.
Deborah Kolsovsky Honored as ATHENA recipient at The Chamber’s International Women’s Day Breakfast The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce hosted the International Women’s Day Breakfast on March 8, 2024, at the Hilton Scranton and Conference Center. Sponsored by The Honesdale National Bank, the event brought together 300 distinguished business leaders and advocates to celebrate the achievements of women in business and honor their contributions to the community. The largest regional International Women’s Day Celebration, the Chamber partnered with Dress For Success Lackawanna to recognize the recipients of the organization’s “Women Making an Impact” campaign. In addition, Deborah Kolsovsky, executive vice president and regional director for PNC Institutional Asset Management®, was recognized as the 2024 ATHENA Leadership Award recipient. Sponsored by Michael A. Barbetti, LLC, CPA, the ATHENA Award symbolizes excellence in leadership and mentorship bestowed upon an outstanding individual who exemplifies these qualities. Donna Barbetti, presenting this year’s award to Kolsovsky, whose leadership, dedication to empowering women, and commitment to community service have made a lasting impact on our community. “This was the perfect way to celebrate International Women’s Day. We honored one of our region’s most successful women in business, Debbie Kolsovsky, and shined a light on the valuable role of The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce and Dress for Success have in promoting the professional development of women in the workplace,” shared Bob Durkin, president of The Chamber. Senator Rosemary Brown (R) and State Representative Bridget Kosierowski (D) presented Kolsovsky with an official resolution recognizing her professional and community contributions. The event served as a testament to women’s collective strength, resilience, and achievements across industries and professions. It provided a platform for networking, mentorship, and collaboration, fostering an environment where women can thrive and succeed.
2024 Membership Directory The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce announces the release of the 2024 Membership Directory, now available online. To view the directory, click on the button below. The directory is a publication highlighting the 1,400+ members, Chamber leadership, staff, programs, and events that support the Chamber’s mission of attracting, sustaining, and growing businesses in northeastern PA. View Directory
Resume Writing Workshop The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce workforce development affiliate, Skills in Scranton, hosted a resume workshop with PA CareerLink Lackawanna County. Below is a recording of the presentation and additional resources on writing a resume. Additional Resources PDF: PowerPoint Presentation PDF: Making a Resume PDF: Canva Template #1 PDF: Canva Template #2 PDF: Canva Template #3
Episode Six: All Things Chamber Don’t Miss the Update The 155th Chamber Annual Dinner, featuring keynote speaker Shawn Kanungo and presented by PNC Bank, is on Wednesday, March 27, at the Scranton Cultural Center. Purchase your tickets today. Read the March Momentum online today! The Chamber’s Small Business Lending affiliate, MetroAction, provides one-on-one counseling services and small business loans ranging from $2,500 to $100,000. MetroAction is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender. Complete the Survey The survey will take less than one minute to complete. Let the Chamber know your thoughts about the new “All Things Chamber” video series. Click the button below to access the survey today. SURVEY Event Update The March 19 Capitol Conversations with Secretary Nancy Walker is postponed until further notice. The Chamber staff apologizes for the inconvenience. More details will come on a new date. Upcoming Chamber Events EVENT PAGE MEMBER BENEFITS
Chamber Hosts Lackawanna County Commissioners On Thursday, February 29, The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce hosted Lackawanna County Commissioners Chris Chermak, Bill Gaughan, and Matt McGloin at a breakfast meet and greet. The County Commissioners interacted with Chamber and affiliate organizations’ board members. Bob Durkin, president of The Chamber, Jerry Musheno, chair of the board for The Chamber, and Vince Galko, chair of the Government Affairs and Advocacy Committee for The Chamber, provided remarks to guests and welcomed County Commissioners. The county commissioners gave short salutations and spoke on the County’s and The Chamber’s strong connection in attracting, sustaining, and growing businesses to Lackawanna County.
Episode Five: All Things Chamber Don’t Miss the Update The International Women’s Day Breakfast will be held on Friday, March 8, at the Hilton Scranton & Conference Center. The Breakfast includes the recognition of the 2024 ATHENA Award recipient, and Dress for Success Lackawanna will recognize Women Making an Impact Honorees. Member Benefits – Did you know that as a member you can offer AND receive bonus benefits and discounts? E-mail Tina Bechaver with your bonus benefit today! New Member? You can be featured in a future publication of Momentum Magazine. Fill out a Fresh Faces application today. Upcoming Chamber Events EVENT PAGE MEMBER BENEFITS
