Chamber Hosts 8th Congressional Candidates for Private Forum

The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce hosted a private forum on Monday, October 14, featuring 8th Congressional Candidates Congressman Matt Cartwright and Rob Bresnahan. This exclusive event allowed candidates to network with Chamber members and representatives from regional Chambers of Commerce and Visitors’ Bureaus.

“We are pleased that the candidates for the 8th Congressional District recognized the importance of addressing the questions and concerns of our members. And we are proud to once again team with our fellow regional Chambers and Visitors Bureaus to speak with a unified voice on behalf of the business community of northeastern Pennsylvania,” shared Bob Durkin, president of The Chamber.

The forum, structured to foster engagement, allowed attendees to hear directly from the candidates on various business, economic, childcare, affordable housing and healthcare, and workforce topics that impact northeastern Pennsylvania. Moderated by Bob Durkin, president of The Chamber, the questions asked of the candidates were geared towards legislative priorities submitted by Chamber members. 

In partnership with the Lackawanna County Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Pocono Mountain Visitors Bureau, The Chamber collaborated with the Pocono Television Network to film and distribute the 8th Congressional Forum to media outlets across the region. The Chamber and its leadership are committed to facilitating important dialogues between the business community and local government, ensuring that the voices of area businesses are heard and represented in legislative matters.

Regional Chambers of Commerce that participated in the 8th Congressional Forum: Back Mountain Chamber of Commerce; the Greater Pittston Chamber of Commerce; the Chamber of the Northern Poconos; and the Greater Wyoming Valley Chamber of Commerce.

Watch the 8th Congressional forum online here!

Skills in Scranton Set to Host the 2025 Workforce Summit

Skills in Scranton, the workforce development affiliate of The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce, is proud to announce the 2025 Workforce Summit. The event will be held on Thursday, March 20, 2025, at the Radisson Lackawanna Station Hotel in downtown Scranton from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

This event goes beyond a typical career fair, offering a full day of networking, professional development, and career exploration for individuals eager to advance their career journey.

Key event highlights include:

  • 50 Employers: Attendees can meet leading employers, explore job opportunities, and find a career path that fits their goals.
  • Professional Development Sessions: Throughout the day, participants can engage in workshops focused on resume building, interview techniques, and navigating various career paths.
  • Keynote Presentation by Ryan Leckey: Renowned media personality and CEO of Ryan Leckey Media will present the keynote, “Building Your Personal Brand and Breaking Barriers: Trusting Your Instincts to Forge Your Own Path.” Leckey will inspire both students and business leaders with his personal journey, offering insights on standing out in the digital world, embracing authenticity, and achieving career success.

Who Should Attend:

  • High school students preparing for employment after graduation.
  • College students exploring career opportunities and looking to connect with regional employers.
  • Job seekers of all ages seeking to advance their careers.
  • Business professionals interested in professional development and expanding their network.

The 2025 Workforce Summit is designed for anyone looking to educate, develop, and network to take the next step in their career. Whether you are entering the workforce, seeking a career change, or looking to grow professionally, this event offers valuable resources and opportunities.

For more information to secure an employer booth and event sponsorship for the 2025 Workforce Summit, visit ScrantonChamber.com.

Haunt at the Hive Returns to Mohegan Pennsylvania

Spooky Halloween party set to take over The Hive Taphouse and Embers Terrace on Thursday, October 31st

WILKES-BARRE, PA (October 1, 2024) – Guests looking for Halloween plans can look no further than joining Mohegan Pennsylvania for Haunt at the Hive. On Thursday, October 31st at 8:00pm, The Hive Taphouse and Embers Terrace will be transformed into the best Halloween Party in Northeast Pennsylvania, featuring food & beverage specials, live entertainment and a spooky good time. 

All are welcome to dress in their best Halloween costume, and those who dare to be bold are encouraged to enter in the costume contest. There are three categories – “Scariest,” “Most Original” and “Couple or Group” – and the first-place winner in each category will win a $250 Mohegan Pennsylvania gift card! Costume photos will be taken upon registration, and winners will be announced at 11:00pm.

From 8:00pm – 11:30pm, The Hive Taphouse and Embers Terrace will feature can’t-miss live entertainment. Over at The Hive Taphouse, Hoopla Band Lite will perform the best selection of music that promises to keep the good times rolling. The River 105 and 103.5’s DJ Tommy will be providing guests with an electric atmosphere over at Embers Terrace.

All guests must be 21 or older with valid ID to attend Haunt at the Hive. Costumes are not required; masks and full-face paint are only allowed in the event spaces.

The University of Scranton’s Henry George Lecture to be Delivered by Marc Melitz

Marc Melitz, Ph.D., the David A. Wells Professor of Political Economy at Harvard University, will deliver The University of Scranton’s fall 2024 Henry George Lecture titled “Global Production and Innovation Networks: Consequences for Trade and Industrial Policy.” The lecture will take place Thursday, Oct. 24, at 7:30 p.m. in the McIlhenny Ballroom of the DeNaples Center on campus.

Dr. Melitz’s primary research interests are in international trade and investment. Theories which he introduced in 2003, now called the “Melitz model,” have been widely adapted by economists. Melitz’s theory holds that only the largest and strongest companies in an industry engage in international trade because of the significant resources required to conduct business in foreign markets.

Dr. Melitz’s research has been published in several of the leading economics journals, including the American Economic Review, the Journal of International Economics, The Review of Economic Studies, the Journal of Political Economy, The Review of Economics and Statistics and the Journal of Economic Perspectives. He is a co-author, with Paul Krugman and Maury Obstfeld, of the textbook International Economics: Theory and Policy.

A fellow of the Econometric Society, Dr. Melitz is affiliated with the National Bureau of Economic Research, the Centre for Economic Policy Research and the Kiel Institute for the World Economy. His research has been funded by the Sloan Foundation and the National Science Foundation. He was elected a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Science in 2017. In 2008, the Economist magazine named him among the best of a new generation of economists.

Dr. Melitz has been a professor in the Economics Department at Harvard University since 2009.  Previously he was professor of economics and international affairs in the Department of Economics and the Woodrow Wilson School at Princeton University from 2007 to 2009.

Dr. Melitz served as an associate editor of the American Economic Journal: Microeconomics, from 2007 to 2010, the foreign editor of The Review of Economic Studies from 2007 to 2010, an associate editor of the Journal of International Economics from 2005 to 2011 and an associate editor of the Economic Journal from 2004 to 2008.

Dr. Melitz received a Ph.D. in economics from the University of Michigan. He received a bachelor’s degree from Haverford College and a master’s degree from the Robert Smith School of Business of the University of Maryland.

Considered the preeminent public lecture series on economics in Northeastern Pennsylvania, the Henry George Lecture Series is presented by the University’s Department of Economics, Finance and International Business and the campus chapter of Omicron Delta Epsilon, an international honor society for economics. Among the distinguished list of speakers who have spoken at previous lectures are eleven winners of the Nobel Prize in Economics: David Card (2021) Paul Romer (2018), Robert Shiller (2013), Tom Sargent (2011), Peter Diamond (2010), Paul Krugman (2008), Joseph Stiglitz (2001), George Akerlof (2001), Amartya Sen (1998), Robert Lucas (1995) and Robert Solow (1987). The lecture series is named in honor of the 19th century American economist and social reformer and is supported financially by a grant from the Robert Schalkenbach Foundation.

The Henry George Lecture is presented free of charge and is open to the public. For more information, call 570-941-4048 or email janice.mecadon@scranton.edu.

Johnson College to Host Fall Open House

Johnson College Hazleton will hold its Fall Open House on Thursday, October 17, 2024, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the CAN DO Training Center located inside the Humboldt Industrial Park at 370 Maplewood Drive in Hazle Township. To register for the Open House, visit Johnson.edu/hazletonopenhouse or contact Johnson College’s Enrollment Department at 570-702-8856 or enroll@johnson.edu.

The Open House will include discussions about the admissions process, information about financial aid for those who qualify, and student services such as student life, student support, and career services. Plus, same-day acceptance will be available for many programs if students bring their high school or college transcripts. Tours of each technical area will be conducted and program directors and instructors will be available to review the specifics of their programs.

Maternal and Family Health Services to Host Community Luncheon Celebrating Leaders

MFHS is happy to announce the 2024 Annual Community Luncheon, scheduled for October 29th at The Banks Waterfront in Pittston.

Please join as they honor First Lady Lori Shapiro and Second Lady Blayre Davis with the 2024 Outstanding Public Service Award. MFHS President and CEO Maria Montoro Edwards will engage in a generative conversation with our honorees, focused on their commitment to improving women’s health in the Commonwealth.  

Tickets are $65 per person, or $500 for a table of 8. RSVP by Wednesday, October 16th to reserve your seat. Program advertising opportunities are also available.