named programs · 5 · from sources
What they call their work
Business After Hours
Monthly informal networking event hosted at member businesses on the third Tuesday of each month from 5:00pm to 7:00pm
Certificates of Origin Service
Electronic Certificate of Origin issuance through partnership with the American World Trade Chamber of Commerce, available to members and non-members
Emerging Business Leaders (EBL) Leadership Program
Leadership development program for young professionals featuring classroom training, mentoring with Chamber leadership, networking, and community engagement
ProNet
Industry-exclusive professional networking groups that meet twice a month to promote business development and lead generation among Chamber members
Small Business Awards Luncheon & Vendor Show
Annual summer event featuring a vendor showcase and awards ceremony recognizing small businesses and Chamber supporters
activities · 11 groups
What they do
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Professional Networking Events 2 activities
- Facilitates member networking opportunitiesHosts regular networking events including monthly informal gatherings, member-hosted events at business locations, and ProNet groups that meet twice per month to develop business leads, including Open ProNet events with guest speakers and business tours.
- Organizes Lunch Mob events at member restaurantsHosts Lunch Mob events that are held at Chamber member restaurants, supporting member visibility and informal networking.
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Regional Economic Development Initiatives 2 activities
- Provides tools and resources to support member business successNurtures a strong economic environment in Western New York by providing tools and resources that support the success of Chamber members.
- Supports economic development in the Buffalo Niagara regionImplements initiatives and programs aimed at attracting new jobs, firms, and customers to the region, contributing to a stronger economic environment in Western New York.
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Golf Professional and Player Support 1 activity
- Facilitates golf networking for professional womenConnects professional women into foursomes for scramble golf tournaments to foster networking and professional relationships.
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Industry and Community Recognition Awards 1 activity
- Hosts annual Small Business Awards Luncheon & Vendor ShowOrganizes an annual summer event featuring a trade-style showcase and award ceremony that recognizes members with honors such as Small Business of the Year and Friend of the Chamber.
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Trade and Logistics Support Services 1 activity
- Issues electronic Certificates of Origin and export documentsProcesses online applications for Certificates of Origin with same-day processing and electronic stamping, and provides additional export-related services including legalization requests, Certificates of Free Sale, and reporting through a partnership with the American World Trade Chamber of Commerce.
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Leadership Development Programs 1 activity
- Offers leadership development for young professionalsRuns the EBL Leadership Program, which includes classroom training, mentoring, networking events, and community engagement opportunities to build personal and professional leadership skills, including a free 6-month Toastmasters membership and two required community service commitments.
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Business Community Advocacy 1 activity
- Provides community building, advocacy, and education servicesOffers a range of services in Western New York focused on community building, advocacy, and education to support local businesses and regional development.
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Community Space Provision 1 activity
- Provides conference room access for meetings and eventsOffers members access to a renovated conference room equipped with a Smart Board, dual display TV, Wi-Fi, podium, and natural lighting, including 4 complimentary hours of use annually.
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Non-Emergency Medical & Essential Transportation 1 activity
- Provides transportation for individuals with mental health challengesOffers transportation services to help individuals with mental health challenges attend social activities, promoting community connection and inclusion.
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Professional Association Capacity Building 1 activity
- Strengthens local professional networks through collaborationWorks collaboratively with board, staff, and members to support and strengthen the local professional network in Western New York.
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Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony Support 1 activity
- Supports ribbon cutting ceremonies and grand openingsProvides promotion, public relations support, ceremonial scissors, ribbon, and a proclamation certificate for member ribbon cutting and grand opening events.
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financials · form 990 · fy2025
revenue
Total revenue$913K
Contributions & grants$556K61%
Program service revenue$358K39%
Investment income$10K1%
Other revenue$-12K
expenses
Total expenses$922K
Program expenses3%
Admin / overhead97%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$681K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$1.35M
Cash$705K
Investments$0
Liabilities$1.25M
Net assets$98K
Liquid reserves9.2 mo
5 years on record · 2020–2025 · YoY revenue +2.2%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2025
Who runs it
paid leadership · 2
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| ANTHONY J BAYNES | PRESIDENT/CEO | 40 | $257K |
| CHRISTINE LANGENFELD | COO | 40 | $123K |
board members · 23
- AJ WRIGHT — BOARD MEMBER
- ANDY DAVIS — BOARD MEMBER
- ANNE CONSTANTINO — BOARD MEMBER
- BRENDAN LITTLE — BOARD MEMBER
- BRYAN ZUROWSKI — BOARD MEMBER
- CARL MONTANTE JR — BOARD MEMBER
- CHRYSTIE BARKER — BOARD MEMBER
- DAVID FLYNN — EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
- DAVID MINGOIA — BOARD MEMBER
- DR ADIAM TSEGAI — BOARD MEMBER
- DR NAVYUGJIT VIRK — BOARD MEMBER
- EARL V WELLS III — SECRETARY
- ELENA MENDEL — TREASURER
- FRANK LOTEMPIO III — BOARD MEMBER
- HOLLY HUBERT — BOARD MEMBER
- JAMES MILLER CPCU — BOARD MEMBER
- JEFF PANZA — BOARD MEMBER
- JEFFERY TYRPAK — BOARD MEMBER
- JENNA KAVANAUGH — BOARD MEMBER
- JODY BRIANDI — EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
- JOHN GAVIGAN — BOARD MEMBER
- JUDY BAUMGARTNER — BOARD MEMBER
- KEN PAWLAK — BOARD MEMBER
relationships · 13
Who they work with
- American World Trade Chamber of Commerce Partner — Partnership to issue electronically stamped Certificates of Origin and export-related documents.
- Amherst Chamber of Commerce Partner — Christine Langenfeld serves as COO of the Amherst Chamber of Commerce and is affiliated with the Amherst Community Foundation.
- Amherst Chamber of Commerce Toastmasters Partner — Provides a free 6-month membership to EBL program participants for leadership and communication skill development.
- Buffalo Niagara Region Network — Collaborates with the broader regional ecosystem to support business growth and professional networking.
- Buffalo Niagara region Government — Geographic area served through economic development initiatives and programs.
- Chamber members Network — Chamber members may host or participate in Lunch Mob events
- Compeer Partner — Partner organization providing services for individuals with mental health challenges; Amherst Chamber of Commerce supports transportation logistics for their clients.
- Facebook Network — Shares event photos on its Facebook page.
- Instagram Network — Shares event photos on its Instagram page.
- International Chamber of Commerce Government — Affiliated through accreditation chain for verification of certificate authenticity.
- KeyBank Partner — Sponsors an award at the Chamber's annual Small Business Awards Luncheon.
- WNY Chinese Chamber of Commerce Partner — Collaborates through shared representation on the LIFT Council, supporting professional women's networking in WNY.
- memberservices@amherst.org Government — Chamber email contact for assisting with ProNet applications and placements.
strategies · 3
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Integrated Leadership Developmentmethodology: integrated_leadership_developmentBy combining classroom instruction, mentorship, peer networking, and community involvement, the Chamber cultivates emerging leaders because multi-modal development builds practical skills and social capital more effectively than isolated training.
- Market-Driven Service Modelmethodology: market_driven_service_modelBy shaping services through ongoing input from member businesses, the Chamber ensures relevance and responsiveness, because alignment with market needs increases member engagement and program effectiveness.
- Women's Networking for Empowermentmethodology: womens_networking_modelBy creating professional women's networking opportunities, the Chamber advances empowerment and inclusion because structured peer connection increases access to resources, role models, and collective agency in the business community.