Welcome to Buffalo Homecoming 2020

John Tebeau, Publisher at Business First welcomes you to Virtual Buffalo Homecoming 2020! Buffalo Homecoming is a three-day annual event in which Western New York expats interact with local policy makers, entrepreneurs and organizers; attend seminars, discussions, tours and entertainment; and reconnect with their hometown and experience its renaissance. Join us as we invite you to an inside look at everything the Western New York region has to offer!

Recap Buffalo Homecoming 2019

“There’s no place like home.”

Erie County Industrial Development Agency (ECIDA) Introduction

Join John Cappellino, President & CEO of the ECIDA, for a tour of the historic Buffalo Steel Site. This long operating staple of manufacturing in the region has given livelihood to generations of Buffalonians, is currently creating upwards of hundreds of jobs for the region, and advancing innovative technology to prove Buffalo, NY is worth the investment.

Buffalo Wing Trail – Stop 1

You don’t visit Buffalo, NY without devouring Buffalo Wings! Visit Buffalo-Niagara and Drew “Wing King” Cerza, Founder of the National Buffalo Wing Festival, take you through the Buffalo Wing Trail – try not to drool!

LaSalle Park Project Plan Update

Meet, Tod Martin, Chairman and CEO of the Martin Group, as he introduces us to LaSalle Park. The LaSalle Park renovation and revitalization supports WNY’s Park and Trails Systems. LaSalle Park Buffalo’s largest waterfront park provides public recreation space to Western New York Region. Join James J. Tighe, Director of the Parks & Trails Initiative of the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation, as he explains why the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation chose to invest in LaSalle Park and the exciting renovations to come.

The Albright-Knox Art Gallery Renovation

Jeffrey Edward Gundlach, is an American investor and businessperson who’s next big project is in Buffalo,NY – his hometown. Meet Janne Siren, Peggy Pierce Elfvin Director of the Albright-Knox Art Gallery, introduces us to AK360 and the process to refurbish existing buildings and expand the Albright-Knox Art Gallery campus. While their building has been under construction for the last year and will be until 2022 – the museum itself has adapted to become “a museum without walls” being displayed around the region.

William Fichtner – ExPat Spotlight

American actor and businessperson, William “Bill” Fichtner, was raised in Cheektowaga, NY and not only holds on to his Buffalo native title, but also his love for the Buffalo Bills!

Buffalo Wing Trail – Stop 2

You don’t visit Buffalo, NY without devouring Buffalo Wings! Visit Buffalo-Niagara and Drew “Wing King” Cerza, Founder of the National Buffalo Wing Festival, take you through the Buffalo Wing Trail – try not to drool!

Business Hall of Fame – 2020 Inductee Frank McGuire

Since 2017, Walsh Duffield and Business First have been honoring the significant careers of Buffalo business leaders in the Western New York business Hall of Fame. This year we’re pleased to inductee two new business trailblazers and groundbreakers. Edward “Ted” Walsh, CEO of Walsh Duffield, along with family and colleagues, honor the late Frank McGuire for his contribution to the region.

Buffalo Wing Trail – Stop 3

You don’t visit Buffalo, NY without devouring Buffalo Wings! Visit Buffalo-Niagara and Drew “Wing King” Cerza, Founder of the National Buffalo Wing Festival, take you through the Buffalo Wing Trail – try not to drool!

End of Programming for Day 1

We hope you enjoyed the first day of programming! Join us tomorrow at 3 PM est. for tours of Downtown Buffalo development, explore the beauty and charisma of Chautauqua county, and hear from our first panel of experts on Workforce Development.

Welcome – Day 2 of Buffalo Homecoming

John Tebeau, Publisher at Business First welcomes you back to Virtual Buffalo Homecoming 2020 – Day 2! Buffalo Homecoming is a three-day annual event in which Western New York expats interact with local policy makers, entrepreneurs and organizers; attend seminars, discussions, tours and entertainment; and reconnect with their hometown and experience its renaissance. Join us as we invite you to an inside look at everything the Western New York region has to offer!

Introducing the NEW Seneca One Tower

Adam Walters, Partner at Phillips Lytle LLP, introduces us to the revitalization of Buffalo’s tallest building and the team behind the project.

M&T Tech Tour

René Jones, CEO of M&T Bank, walks us through his vision of a collaborative workspace for the future of the Buffalo community. Mike Wisler, Chief Information Officer at M&T Bank, shows us around the 24th floor of the Seneca One Tower, the M&T Bank’s new technology hub.

43 North Tour

Colleen Heidinger, President of 43 North, is answering the need for the resurrection of entrepreneurship in Buffalo, NY and retaining job creation, as well as attraction of new businesses.

Lighthouse Technologies

Randy Harris, President of Lighthouse Technology Services, moved his organization to the tower and jumped on the opportunity to transition his business to a larger technology network.

Seneca One Tower Tour

Welcome to the newly renovated and current project, Seneca One Tower, where you’ll hear from Douglas Jemal, founder of Douglas Development, who is spearheading the project. “Build it and they will come”, has been Jemal’s outlook through the entire project – and he couldn’t of been more correct.

Tour Chautauqua County

We’re taking a trip down to Chautauqua County to highlight some major projects taking place west of Buffalo.

Chautauqua County – Economic Development Update

Greg Edwards, the CEO of the Gebbie Foundation, is focusing on redeveloping the City of Jamestown, and how the impactful manufacturing, agriculture, and tourism industries of the region have flourished.

Buffalo Wing Tour – Stop 4

You don’t visit Buffalo, NY without devouring Buffalo Wings! Visit Buffalo-Niagara and Drew “Wing King” Cerza, Founder of the National Buffalo Wing Festival, take you through the Buffalo Wing Trail – try not to drool!

Buffalo’s Work Force Development

Tom Emmerling, Partner at Dopkins & Company LLP, points to workforce development as a key initiative in Western New York. Significant steps have taken place over the last 5 years to grow in areas to attract scholars and students, develop marketable job skillsets, and create a pipeline to the Buffalo workforce, and retain the talent.

Workforce Development Panel Discussion

Tour Northland Workforce Training Center

Stephen Tucker, President and CEO of Northland Workforce Training Center, introduces us to the massive educational complex that works to bring students into the manufacturing world, attracting students and introducing them to the skilled workforce.

Business Hall of Fame – 2020 Inductee Brenda McDuffie

Since 2017, Walsh Duffield and Business First have been honoring the significant careers of Buffalo business leaders in the Western New York business Hall of Fame. This year we’re pleased to inductee two new business trailblazers and groundbreakers. Jack and Edward “Ted” Walsh, CEO and Chairman of Walsh Duffield, along with family and colleagues, honor Brenda McDuffie for her 22+ year legacy in the Buffalo business community that focused on workforce development and educational programs across the region, with currently no plans to leave her public servant commitments behind.

Buffalo Wing Trail – Stop 5

You don’t visit Buffalo, NY without devouring Buffalo Wings! Visit Buffalo-Niagara and Drew “Wing King” Cerza, Founder of the National Buffalo Wing Festival, take you through the Buffalo Wing Trail – try not to drool!

Tour the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Explore & More Children’s Museum

Matt Davison, Chief Business Officer at The Martin Group, introduces us to the world class children’s museum and celebrates child-like play and learning for children, as well as for adults. Michelle Urbanczyk, Executive Director of Explore & More, is prioritizing the importance of practical play in children through hands on learning, growing their capacity for free-thinking without directions, and allows children a safe space to play and explore.

End of Programming for Day 2

Welcome – Day 3 of Buffalo Homecoming

John Tebeau, Publisher of Business First, welcomes you to the last day of programming for Buffalo Homecoming 2020! Today we’ll talk Michael Murphy, President of Shea’s Performing Arts Center, tour the important Child Advocacy Center by BestSelf Behavioral Health, and take a trip north to Niagara County.

Tour Niagara County, New York

Julie Gilbert, VP of Sales and Marketing for Destination Niagara USA, shows us the awe-inspiring viewpoints of Niagara Falls, New York, USA and the beautiful state parks of Niagara County.

Tour Shea’s Theatre District

Rich McCarthy, Senior VP at M&T Bank, introduces Shea’s Theatre District, which opened in 1926 and has been a source of entertainment ever since. Although the 2020 season was cancelled, the theatre looks forward to opening its doors in March 2021. Michael Murphy, President of Shea’s Performing Arts Center, is an expat himself, moving back to Buffalo after spending his career in theatre in California. He returned home to be a part of Buffalo’s incredible renaissance and continue the legacy of the historic theatre district.

Buffalo Wing Trail – Stop 6

You don’t visit Buffalo, NY without devouring Buffalo Wings! Visit Buffalo-Niagara and Drew “Wing King” Cerza, Founder of the National Buffalo Wing Festival, take you through the Buffalo Wing Trail – try not to drool!

Introducing The Child Advocacy Center by BestSelf

Elizabeth Woike-Ganga, President at BestSelf Behavioral Health, shares with us the incredible programs the Child Advocacy Center provides for Western New York and the overall mission of the center- to empower those to be themselves and for children of neglect and abuse to receive all services they need and deserve, in one safe place.

Commercial Real Estate Panel Discussion

Join Brandy Merriweather, Buffalo Urban Development Corp., and Adam Walters, Phillips Lytle, LLP, as they discuss Buffalo’s urban development plans pre-COVID19, during COVID19, and where construction and development of the city continues from here.

Buffalo Wing Trail – Stop 7

You don’t visit Buffalo, NY without devouring Buffalo Wings! Visit Buffalo-Niagara and Drew “Wing King” Cerza, Founder of the National Buffalo Wing Festival, take you through the Buffalo Wing Trail – try not to drool!

ExPats Come Home Panel

While many whisper “Keeping Buffalo a Secret” might be a good idea, the vast majority realize a growing and vibrant population is key to a successful renaissance in Western New York. Research shows Western New York’s population is growing – come home and be a part of this new era of Buffalo. Meet Arlene Kaukus (University at Buffalo), Jenna Kavanaugh (Invest Buffalo), and Kate Perez (Acara Solutions) as they share their ExPat experiences.

End of Day 3 Programming

Thank you for joining us for Buffalo Homecoming 2020! We hope you enjoyed the virtual programming and we look forward to seeing you in-person in 2021.