Annual Celebration & Award Ceremony 2024

Name: Annual Celebration & Award Ceremony 2024

Date: October 24, 2024

Time: 5:30 PM - 9:00 PM EDT

Registration: Sorry, public registration for this event has been closed.

Event Description:

You're Invited to our Annual Meeting & Awards Celebration!

The Tompkins Chamber & Visit Ithaca are excited to host you at the brand-new Ithaca Downtown Conference Center. This event will feature a cocktail reception, passed hors d'oeuvres, a seated dinner, some remarks, and our annual awards. Fausel Imagery and Jyl's Photo Booth will be there to capture the magic of the event - don't forget to stop by for your picture!

Some sponsorships remain available, as do table sponsorships. Please contact Event & Program Coordinator Aleshia Akers to discuss opportunities.

Congratulations to Our 2024 Annual Award Winners!

Entrepreneur of the Year: Kuukua Dzigbordi Yomekpe
Kuukua has shown excellent leadership in her 2+ years at the Ithaca Farmer's Market and now as a new restaurant owner. Her leadership fosters community and diversity. Using food as a bridge across race, culture, gender, age, religion, and other complex identities, Kuukua has developed a safe and welcoming space for all to connect, communicate, learn, and share. In addition, she has brought incredible West African cuisine to Tompkins County.

Not-For-Profit of the Year: The Cherry Arts
In addition to providing unique shows and galleries, the Cherry offers a slate of programs to engage and support folks who live in the Arthaus, alongside the broader community—with “art hives,” writing workshops, a public mural project, an open mic series, classes, and more. These programs are designed to make a big impact on the lives of the people in this community, empowering people to tell their stories and make positive change in the world.

Howard Cogan Tourism Award: Hospitality Employment Training Program
GIAC’s Hospitality Employment Training Program (HETP) has been training participants to be work-ready in the hospitality industry or office administrative work. HETP is more than a job training program. It provides wrap-around services tailored to each individual to help eliminate barriers to success. HETP has countless success stories to demonstrate a successful impact on the tourism industry.

Distinguished Business of the Year: EcoSpect
Ecospect has been consistently growing for the past three years. The company began by offering lead-based paint testing and has since expanded to provide basement waterproofing, foundation repair, concrete lifting, radon mitigation, carbon fiber, insulation, and more. Owner Adam Schrader and his team of certified technicians are a trusted resource for locals as well as active participants in community fundraisers.

Noel Desch Key Person of the Year: Jennifer Tavares

From July 2014 through September 2024, Jennifer Tavares's dedication to excellence has driven meaningful results and exemplified the values that guide our organization. Her contributions have influenced economic development and quality of life in this community. Most memorable efforts include her stewardship in development of the Tompkins Center for History and Culture, the Ithaca Downtown Conference Center, and a key moment in the Chamber’s 125-year history—sale of its building at East Shore Drive and renovation of a beautiful new space at 124 Brindley Street.

Event Sponsors: