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Home > Events > Event Summaries Event SummariesIn case you missed an event, we're providing summaries to keep the conversation and learning going. Visit our Facebook page for more pictures, videos and blogs about our events! If you have any questions about our events or suggestions for future events, please let BN360’s Execs Unplugged: Networking with Regional Leaders The Buffalo Niagara 360 program successfully ended its 2nd year of programming June 17th at the Castellani Art Museum. Event sponsor Niagara University was eager to provide students and staff the opportunity to network and learn from a wide range of execs from the for-profit and non-profits fields and to show off its beautiful campus. It was BN360’s first foray into Niagara County and what better venue to hold it than the Castellani Art Museum.
Attendees mingled in the main hall and were encouraged to explore the exhibits while enjoying “networking-friendly” hors d’ourves. Etiquette consultant John Bourdage, who has worked with NU’s staff and students for the past 15 years, provided an overview of proper networking techniques and strategies. Some key points included perfecting and tailoring your elevator pitch to the right crowd, seeking out 2-3 quality connections versus a multitude of shallow ones, and using good judgment when consuming beverages and food (pick smaller pieces of food instead of messy chicken wings and enjoy your wine after you have accomplished a majority of your networking).
John provided a great refresher for both students and execs alike. The execs were stationed in specific corners around the room in order to provide guests with as much opportunity to network as possible. It was generally agreed that guests followed John’s networking advice – many engaged in fewer, quality conversations throughout the evening.
Thanks again to our sponsor Niagara University for supporting and hosting Execs Unplugged, as well as to our participating execs:
- Alicia Bartsch, Director of Community Relations, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Erie County
- Tony Borowicz, VP of Finance, Greatbatch Medical/QiG Group - Carol Cassell, Director, P2 Collaborative of WNY - Merry R. Constantino, Principal, ProductLogic - Joan Graci, President, APA Solutions - Kevin Kelly, President, I Evolve Technology Services - Larry Montani, Managing Director, Niacet Corporation - Lou Panzica, President & CEO, Power Drives, Inc. - Nancy J. Parisi, Social Documentation - Chris Schoepflin, President, USA Niagara Development Corporation - Bernie Switzer, President, Precision Photo-Fab, Inc. Buffalo Means Business: A Showcase for Tomorrow's Entrepreneurs & Social Innovators
April 21, 2010 @ The Innovation Center, Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus UB’s Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership and BN360 understand the importance of encouraging the next generation of leadership to launch and support local businesses in WNY. That’s why we held informal conversations with "entrepreneurial storytellers" Michelle Bonn, President of Expedient Trade (read our blog about her) and Trace George, President & CEO of VSP Marketing Graphic Group. They shared their experiences about owning their own businesses, including the importance of developing strong relationships and taking the time to develop your brand and supply chain before you expand your offerings, or in Michelle’s case, venture into new international markets. Trace and Michelle both agreed that entrepreneurs have to have sustained passion for what they do in order to have a successful business. Social entrepreneurs Anthony Armstrong, Urban Roots Community Garden and Denine King, McCullagh Coffee, described how their efforts not only positively affect their company’s/organization’s bottom line but they do it while supporting local community development and by sourcing and selling environmentally-friendly products. BN360 members learned how to support our local economy and do good at the same time.
Additionally, the event provided young entrepreneurs with instant access to local business resource providers who shared their marketing materials and talked about the services they provide to encourage business ownership. Click here for our list of local providers to get you started. Go to our Facebook fan page to see pictures from the event, too!
Lunch and Learn Panelists:
Panelists:
Mike Colson, Senior Vice President, Solutions; CTG Kristin Kruger Kight, Director of Corporate Planning; Kaleida Health Mike Skowronski, Employer Relations Coordinator; Niagara University Sangwani A. Mabhena, AVP, Group Audit USA: HSBC  What people had to say about our event:"It was a great opportunity for me to meet with some of tomorrows leaders and discuss their career goals and aspirations. I was very impressed with the nature of their questions, their ability to carry on a meaningful exchange… very little chit chat and being much more focused on learning about the utilization and transferability of their skills and knowledge. I have already received a number of very professional follow ups and not necessarily asking for a job." Jim Manno, Vice President, US Sales and Marketing, Sonwil Distribution "The panel discussion was extremely helpful because employers talked about job opportunities in the current economy. I particulary enjoyed the training "How to Brand Yourself in Order to Attract Top Employers" as that is something all of us as students need to know." Priyanka Venkatesh, Economics Grad Student at UB Executives Unplugged - January 22, 2009 List of participating executives:
 Economic/Community Development Roslyn Colon, Director of Internships, Canisius College Kathryn Foster, Director, University at Buffalo Regional Institute Jessie Lombardo, Senior Career Counselor, Buffalo State College Laura McEwen, Director, Graduate Business Programs, Canisius College Dan Ryan, Director of Off Campus Student Relations, University at Buffalo Dave Stebbins, Senior Project Manager, Erie County Industrial Development Agency Non Profit Sector  Timothy Boling, CEO, Cradle Beach Marti Gorman, Executive Director, Buffalo Homecoming Chris Johnston, President & CEO, World Trade Center Buffalo Niagara Jeff Ross, Executive Director, infoTech Niagara Private Sector Mike Andrzejewski, Owner, SeaBar Doug Bean, Managing Partner, Eric Mower & Associates Jonathan Dandes, President, Rich Baseball Operations Dan Geary, Vice President of Finance, MOD-PAC Corp. Joseph Hanna, Attorney, Goldberg Segalla Andrew Major, Executive Director of Marketing, Buffalo Bills, Inc. Ram Nabar, District Manager, Corporate Services, Sodexo Vic Nole, Business Advisor, Nole Management, LLC Samantha Palmerton, Director of Strategic Planning Initiatives, Buffalo Filter Wally Smith, Vice President, AAA of Western & Central New York  Legislators Lynn Marinelli, Chair and 11th District Representative, Erie County Legislature Jack Quinn, Assemblyman, NYS Assembly 146th District Rick Updegrove, Majority Leader and 17th District Representative, Niagara County Legislature Maria Whyte, Majority Leader and 6th District Representative, Erie County Legislature Advocacy Boot Camp Primer - December 5, 2008 December’s Advocacy Boot Camp Primer was a candid discussion about how and why young professionals can and should do their part to advocate for the region. Our panel of professionals in the lobbying field represented various points of view – from the perspectives of the private sector, a not-for-profit, an elected official and an Albany lobbying firm.
So, why should advocacy be important to young professionals, especially those not in a position that deals directly with government relations? The most pressing issues, like the state of the Upstate economy, directly impact the companies we all work for and the quality of our lives. As the next generation of leaders within our business community, we must become well versed and active in determining what our future will look like.
Not surprisingly, much of the discussion centered on the difficulty of recruiting to the region and the poor perceptions about living and working here. The panelists provided real life examples of what they’re doing to overcome this and what we can do, too.
Lisa Damiani, Executive Director of Government Affairs at Roswell Park Cancer Institute explained how their recruitment efforts focus on what researchers and medical professionals want most – a strong relationship to a university and research opportunities. But RPCI also incorporates the positive things about living and working here to potential hires and makes sure they get an introduction to the best things about Buffalo Niagara when they come to visit.
Assemblyman Jack Quinn provided another way to advocate for the region as being able to come up with 10 positive things to say about Buffalo when you’re talking to someone not from here. You don’t have to travel to Albany to advocate with your legislators; you can advocate for the region by talking positively about it.
Kelly Brannen, Managing Director, Niacet Corp, pointed out that the most effective way to advocate for change or for an issue is by having a uniform voice. If more young professionals supported regional issues like UB2020, Albany would not only hear fresh voices, but a stronger voice, from our region.
Mark Meyerhofer, Associate with Patricia Lynch Associates Inc., emphasized that there’s a lot more to advocacy than lobbying – including messaging, media, communication and, specifically, the importance of building relationships in the community.
Participants received an “Advocacy Cheat Sheet” with some resources on getting more info and ways to get more involved. You can download it here.
Our Nov. 5th Lunch and Learn was a huge success and joined our launch party as being another "sold out" Buffalo Niagara 360 event. Young professionals shared lunch and insight with the following business executives:
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Buffalo Niagara’s Emerging Workforce Panel and Networking Event - February 17, 2009
