I am pleased to welcome you to our 31st annual Forum issue of Strictly Business. This year’s event was different than any we have had before. Rather than gathering area leaders together, we met virtually to discuss what happened to their businesses in 2020 and look ahead to what they and the North Country might read more
Poised for a Renaissance
On the scale of times that call for resilience and change, the challenges of the last decade can be divided into two equal parts — the first nine years and the last nine months. The 31st annual Strictly Business Forum convened this December to reflect on this past year which was, without question, a year read more
Room for Improvement
If you have never been to an Escape Room you should try it at some point in 2021. Why? Because you have lived through 2020 and you are, whether you know it or not, an expert at this game. Mark Hamilton, Executive Director of the Plattsburgh Housing Authority, likened 2020 to an escape room where read more
Managing the Unexpected
It was a Strictly Business Forum like no other. There was no breakfast served, no swag proffered and no group photos taken. Instead, there were opportunities. Deena Giltz McCullough introduced us to her new puppy named Zoom. Steve Segal didn’t have to drive down from Montreal and I’m quite sure Kristy Kennedy was wearing her read more
Facing the Unknown
While 2020 was described as Dickensian because it was the best of times and the worst of times, what proved to be a common theme at the Strictly Business Forum was how much businesses, agencies and non-profits were willing to step up and help their neighbors during the COVID-19 pandemic. From bending over backwards to read more
Like No Other
Some events are traditions — eagerly anticipated, not to be missed. Unfortunately, in 2020 many of those were canceled but others were reimagined to take place virtually. We are grateful the 31st annual Strictly Business Forum fell into the latter category. As a long-time moderator at the Forum, I look forward to the event. This read more
Surviving in Uncharted Waters
No one would be surprised to learn that the pandemic dominated my group’s discussion at the 31st annual Strictly Business Forum. Meeting together virtually, my contributors represented decades of executive and management experience. They were: April Bingel, Financial Advisor, Wells FargoDavid Coryer, Co-founder, Coryer StaffingKimberly Davis, Clinton County TreasurerBill McColgan, President/Chief Executive Officer, Mountain Lake read more
WORDS TO LIVE BY
In the year 1016 there was a great Danish prince who united the thrones of Denmark, Norway and England. His name has been lost in the midst of time but it could have been either King Knute the Great or King Herbert the Carpenter. The prince was known to be wise, successful and great at read more
PUBLISHER’S VIEW
It’s December, a time when it turns cold in the North Country and it’s tempting to retreat indoors and wait for spring. But don’t do it! In this issue of Strictly Business we showcase some of the outdoor recreation opportunities that abound in our area. We start with our cover story featuring the Olympic Regional read more
Let it SNOW
When Governor Andrew Cuomo announced the protocols for opening ski resorts during the on-going pandemic, he took the opportunity to boast about what New York State has to offer winter sports enthusiasts but he might have spotlighted the resorts for another reason. After securing nearly $240 million in funding to modernize and expand the facilities read more