Haseley excited for Upward Niagara Chamber's plans for 2026 & work in drawing more people to River Region

Guest Editorial by Amanda Haseley

President

Upward Niagara Chamber of Commerce

This past year marked my first as president of the Upward Niagara Chamber of Commerce, and it also happened to be the Chamber’s 20th anniversary. That combination made year one feel especially meaningful. I stepped into the role knowing that, before changing anything, I needed to listen to our members, our businesses, and our community.

A large part of my first year was spent doing just that. I made it a priority to meet our members where they are, visiting businesses I had never been inside before and having honest conversations about what was working and what wasn’t. Those visits mattered to me, and they led to new friendships and a deeper appreciation for Lewiston. This area is filled with hardworking, generous people who care deeply about where they live and work.

Listening directly to our members led to one of our bigger changes: revamping the Chamber’s membership tiers. Instead of guessing what members wanted, we built options based on their feedback. We also reinvigorated our committees. I’ve always believed strong committee work leads to strong organizations, and I saw that firsthand this year. Those committees brought fresh ideas, energy and collaboration back into the Chamber. We’ll be opening committee opportunities for 2026 soon, and I encourage anyone interested to reach out.

Tourism has been a central focus throughout my first year. Lewiston offers so much – from festivals, dining, shopping, history and natural beauty – and I wanted hands-on experience with it all. I had the opportunity to be involved with every festival last year, helping introduce new elements while respecting what makes each event special. We’ll continue building on that in 2026, always with the goal of creating experiences that bring people back again and again.

We also introduced a new fundraiser in 2025: the “Greens & Grooves Golf Scramble.” It was a fun, memorable day that brought people together, and it exceeded expectations financially. In fact, we surpassed our overall budget goals for the year. We started with a small projected deficit, addressed it, and ended the year in the black. That’s something I’m very proud of.

None of this would have been possible without the support of our board of directors. They volunteer so much of their time and resources to help keep us growing. I’m especially grateful to our board chair, Matt Villnave, whose steady leadership and support helped keep us focused and moving forward.

On a more personal note, lunchtime in Lewiston became an important part of my day. Supporting local restaurants (maybe a little too often) gave me even more appreciation for the businesses that make our community welcoming to both residents and visitors.

As we move into year two, my priorities are clear. First, we’re giving the Chamber website a fresh look, with a stronger focus on showcasing our local businesses, organizations, attractions and events. We want to make sure Lewiston is a must-visit destination for tourists planning their trips. Second, I’m excited to work toward launching a farm-to-table event – something our members have been requesting, and I believe fits perfectly with our region. Third, we’ll continue the work already started with the Village of Lewiston and the mayor to welcome our Canadian neighbors back and remind them why Lewiston has always felt like home.

When I say “we,” I truly mean it. The Chamber is a two-person office, and I would be lost without Suzanne Raby. Celebrating her 30 years with the Chamber in 2025 was one of the highlights of mine, and I’m grateful every day for her knowledge, dedication and support.

Year one was about listening, learning, and building trust. Year two is about momentum, strengthening tourism, supporting our businesses, and continuing to show just how special Lewiston really is.

Pictured at the Upward Niagara Chamber 20th anniversary event: Tom Deal of Deal Realty with Niagara County Legislator Becky Wydysh and Town of Lewiston Councilman Bill Burg // Assemblyman Angelo Morinello, Village of Lewiston Mayor Anne Welch, New York State Assembly Legislative Director Eamon Weber and Lou Paonessa of the New York Power Authority // Modern Disposal Services Director of Communications & Public Relations Jennifer Aiple and CEO Derek Veenhof // Lewiston Community Lions Club Membership Chair Regina Cecconi and DiMino’s Lewiston Tops proprietor Anthony DiMino. (Photo by Kevin Krisnosky)