Voice of Business Blog

Each year, Greater Rochester Chamber looks back on the past year to reflect on our role in our community. We compile metrics and numbers to see how we’ve created an impact. 2025 is no different. With the region and for the region, we’ve had a big year. And we’re proud of the work we’ve done to deepen our impact and expand our reach.

Here are ten things we’re proud of this year:

1. Our most new members in over a decade.

In 2025, 185 new companies joined Greater Rochester Chamber’s community. A microcosm of our region, the members we welcomed this year are a diverse cross-section of sizes, industries, MWBEs, counties, and other demographics. Real progress only happens when everybody has a seat and a say, and Greater Rochester Chamber worked hard to bring more people and companies to the table this year.

2. While you’re running your business, we’re protecting it.

On behalf of our members this year, we interfaced with hundreds of organizations and agencies on key issues. We submitted 26 memoranda of support or opposition and 38 letters of support this year, directly impacting key legislation and decisions that make a difference for our members. From mandate reform to non-profit funding, from energy availability to workforce development, it’s hard to find an area of our community that we didn’t touch through a meeting we convened or a call we made.

3. Bottom-line cost savings for every company in New York State, including yours.

In the FY26 New York State budget, Governor Kathy Hochul utilized $8 billion from the State’s general reserves fund to pay off the outstanding federal Unemployment Trust Fund debt and restore solvency to the fund. Greater Rochester Chamber is proud to have played a key role in securing this win on behalf of our members for businesses, labor, and New York State. Thanks to this decision, every business across New York State will save $400 on average, per employee. We worked hard for this – with letters, phone calls, op-eds, news appearances, and more. We’re relentless in the pursuit of a better future for our members.

4. When people are complicated, our support isn’t.

We’re in this with you. From compliance and training to surveys and benefits, with Greater Rochester Chamber, you’ve got a full-service HR partner on call. This year, our HR Services team fielded over 1,000 HR Helpline calls on NYS and federal labor laws, best practices, employee relations situations, benefits and compensation, and more. They also welcomed 179 participants to 7 HR Forums and 880 guests to 16 Friday HR Briefings. We’re here for you when you need us, where you need us, and how you need us because we’re on it so you don’t have to be.

5. We gathered in good company. A lot of good company.

In 2025, Greater Rochester Chamber hosted 70 events and welcomed over 6,600 guests. In our community, you don’t have to go it alone. Connecting with us means connecting with real people and opportunities to move your business forward. At our 7 signature events, we brought over 3,000 guests together to learn, grow, and celebrate the people and companies creating progress in our shared community.

6. We’re not here to gatekeep. We’re here to open the way.

Over a million people saw our social posts this year—enough to fill Highmark Stadium over fourteen times. And over 285,000 people visited our website. We’re proud to be a hub for connectivity and community in our region, with access to powerful resources, best practices, insights and reports, and more, all available through our communications channels.

7. Real relationships, real results.

Through our talent strategy work, we’re building links to purpose, progress, and a community that cares about impact. From new relationships with InSpring to launch our Greater ROC Global that has relocated 74 nurses to our region from around the globe to our new partnership with RochesterWorks that increased Greater ROC Careers’s pool of job seekers by 49% and employers by 44%, we’re convening and collaborating like never before.

8. We’re building confidence through credibility.

When we launched Authentica, we saw an opportunity to make background screening feel less transactional and a lot more human. That’s never been truer than this year. Our team ran over 132,000 searches this year – including 11,110 academic and employment verification, 118,749 criminal searches, and 3,108 drug screenings. We’re here for hiring teams, employers, and landlords who want confidence in every decision.

9. We’re shaping smarter, stronger hiring with personal partnership.

We’re proud to be home to the first hiring agency in the country founded by a chamber of commerce. With Beyond TalentEdge, powered by Greater Rochester Chamber, we’re working to fill critical roles to hire for impact, build relationships that last, and design solutions that flex to fit each organization’s goals, challenges, and context. We know each hire changes lives, so we make each one count. This year, our count was over 1,000 individuals placed into new roles. 

10. You.

We’re proud of you and your organization for investing in our shared region. For investing in a future-focused business movement making a real impact. By choosing to be in our community, you’re building a legacy of regional impact, and showcasing your commitment to Greater Rochester. We’re proud to have spent another year in your company.