Dear Members, Tourism Partners, and Key Stakeholders:
The Tompkins County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and executive leadership are pleased to announce that we have reached a decision regarding our relocation in late spring 2022.
The Tompkins Chamber and the Ithaca/Tompkins Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) will move our main office and central operations to Ithaca’s West End, at 124 Brindley Street – part of the Aeroplane Factory campus managed by CSP Management. A comprehensive search process over the last six months throughout the greater Ithaca real estate market yielded this growing area of town – and this specific property – as the most well-suited home for the organization for the next decade.
There are big things happening on the West End, and the Tompkins Chamber and CVB are excited to help anchor that growth. Numerous upcoming developments and investments will revitalize and build community in this part of town – and it is also noteworthy that this exciting change is happening during our 125th Anniversary year.
From Jennifer Tavares, Tompkins Chamber President & CEO: “We are thrilled to have found in 124 Brindley Street a location that offers us unique space for our current team but also allows for future growth; a space that offers us the storage and logistical access we need to service our operations needs and stakeholders county-wide; a space which offers outdoor recreation amenities and is located in the heart of an area of our community in transition; and a landlord like Jerry Dietz who truly understands our mission and who is proven himself a benevolent host to numerous community organizations.”
From Peggy Coleman, Vice President & CVB Director: “We are extremely excited about the new location, which will place the Visit Ithaca team midway between the Visitor Center at the Overlook at Taughannock Falls and the Visitor Center inside the Tompkins Center for History and Culture on the Ithaca Commons. The ease of access to Brindley Street will make our new offices accessible to more Tompkins County tourism businesses and make our team more efficient in operations.”
From Board Chair Dr. Jeffrey Matteson: “We are very excited for the future of the Tompkins County Chamber of Commerce with the announcement of our impending move to a new location at 124 Brindley Street. This location allows us the physical access, vehicular access, and the space to grow and flex our operation for the foreseeable future. We are appreciative of all of our partners who participated in moving this decision to finality and most of all, we are inspired by the enthusiasm of our staff in promoting their vision for this location.”
From Jerry Dietz, owner of CSP Management: ““As a long-time member of the Chamber and a supporter of the important work they have done for our community, I am thrilled they have selected 124 Brindley St. for their next home. The west side of town is currently benefiting from a great deal of resources, infrastructure and investment being directed into transforming this area into a dynamic neighborhood. As an investor in the Brindley St. property, I look forward to working with the Chamber & CVB to create an exciting and welcoming new space that will serve as a gateway to this newly developing area of town. Together, we will create a professional space that connects to their mission, members, tourism partners, and stakeholders for a continued vibrant future.”
The Tompkins Chamber & CVB recently completed a months-long search process, which was led by an Ad-Hoc Relocation Committee, and also included staff and Board engagement. HOLT Architects and Warren Real Estate also consulted on the project, supporting the Chamber & CVB in determining their space needs and core criteria for the next location, surveying the market for commercial properties which matched those criteria, and narrowing the search to seven sites which were shown to the prospective tenants. From this list of seven sites, two were selected as finalists, and the Board of Directors unanimously approved the recommendation from key leadership last week.
The Chamber and CVB wish to note that we remain open and operational five days a week at their 904 East Shore Drive location until the move is complete in late spring of 2022. Office hours are from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Fridays. Members, tourism partners, and community members can reach out for an appointment at 607-273-7080, or email at info@tompkinschamber.org or info@visitithaca.com.
Thank you – we look forward to serving you from our new home in 2022. We are so excited to see where this opportunity takes us in the next decade!
Jennifer Tavares, President & CEO
Peggy Coleman, Vice President & CVB Director
Jeff Matteson, Board Chair