Warwick chamber holds first meeting of 2013

WARWICK — On Friday, Jan. 4, members of the Board of Directors of the Warwick Valley Chamber of Commerce assembled for their first meeting of the New Year in the conference hall at Mount Alverno Center.

It was an important meeting to update the organization’s vision, introduce new officers and new board members, propose events and identify central issues, according to executive director Michael Johndrow.

For example, the directors discussed the impact of the recent closing of Country Chevrolet and the continued importance for the development of the closed 772-acre Mid Orange Correctional Facility.

Tourism
High on the agenda was the tourism initiative, launched last March, and a progress report on its goal of converting Warwick into a four-season destination.

The program is designed to bring more visitors to the Warwick Valley who would visit restaurants and retail shops, enjoy local attractions and natural beauty, overnight in a variety of accommodations and spend money throughout the valley.

Johndrow introduced Jerrica Lavooy, who was recently hired to promote the tourism initiative. Lavooy, with her graphic design and photography background, has already created a profile, “Discover the Warwick Valley,” currently up and running on the social networking service, Facebook.

The members of the board also agreed to continue sponsoring major annual celebrations such as the sixth annual EXPO scheduled for April 6, along with Applefest, a Taste of Warwick and Home for the Holidays. The chamber will also continue with its educational, networking and mixer events.

New board members
Johndrow took this opportunity to introduce new members of the Board of Directors who were nominated at last year’s annual membership dinner as well as officers selected at the December meeting.

“And I would also like to express our appreciation to the administrators of the Warwick Campus of the Bon Secours Charity Health System,” he said, “for offering the Greenbriar Room at Mount Alverno Center for our meetings.”

The newly appointed Chamber Officers are Paul Rafanello, president; Sherry Bukovcan, first vice president; Mechelle Casciotta, second vice president; Doug Stage, secretary; and Mary McClurg, treasurer.