The Corning Area Chamber of Commerce is proud to host its Annual Awards Breakfast, a signature event honoring exceptional leadership, business achievement, and community involvement in the Corning area. This gathering brings together business leaders, professionals, and community members to recognize individuals and organizations whose contributions reflect the Chamber’s values and strengthen our community. Registration includes access to the awards breakfast reception and a full breakfast.

Each year, three awards are presented:

Lifetime Achievement Award
The Chamber’s highest honor, recognizing an individual whose lasting contributions, leadership, and integrity have inspired and positively influenced both business and community life. Nominees should be current or retired Chamber members.

Business Achievement Award
Presented to an individual or business that demonstrates long-term success, integrity, creativity, and community support. Recipients show consistent leadership, engagement, and advocacy that impact the Corning area’s economic and civic vitality. Nominees must be current Chamber members.

Young Professional Leadership Award
Recognizing an emerging leader, 40 or younger, who shows excellence, initiative, and community dedication. Honorees serve as role models and embody the future of leadership in the Corning area. Nominees must be Chamber members.

The Annual Awards Breakfast is a proud tradition of the Corning Area Chamber of Commerce, serving as a moment to reflect on the achievements of those who embody the very best of our community. Through these awards, we not only celebrate individual and organizational excellence, but also reaffirm our collective commitment to fostering leadership, growth, and community engagement for years to come.

The 2025 Annual Awards Breakfast will take place on Friday, November 7, 2025, at 8:00 AM at The Radisson Hotel Corning. Guests will enjoy a delicious breakfast as part of the celebration.

Tickets are now on sale for $40 per person. Community members, Chamber members, and local leaders are encouraged to attend this inspiring event and join us in honoring this year’s outstanding award recipients.

We look forward to gathering with our members, partners, and community leaders to honor these remarkable individuals and celebrate the continued growth and vitality of the Corning area.
 

Meet the Recipients for the 2025 Annual Awards 

Young Professional Leadership Award- MacKenzie Myers

This year’s honoree, MacKenzie Myers, owner and creative force behind K. Rae, perfectly represents the next generation of leadership in our community. Driven by a passion for connection and helping others feel their best, MacKenzie has cultivated K. Rae into more than a salon—it’s a welcoming, uplifting space where beauty and confidence flourish. Her approach blends creativity, professionalism, and heart, offering guests personalized experiences marked by care, attention to detail, and authenticity. Through her leadership, MacKenzie has built not only a thriving business but also a positive, empowering environment that reflects her dedication to her craft and her community.

Business Achievement Award- Josh Canfield

 This year’s recipient, Josh Canfield, Managing Partner of Union Chill Cannabis, embodies these principles through his entrepreneurial vision, community commitment, and leadership in a rapidly evolving industry. Founded in the heart of Corning, Union Chill Cannabis is an immersive and inclusive recreational dispensary that emphasizes education, integrity, and connection. While the business is relatively new, Josh and his team’s deep local roots and dedication to the region’s growth have made Union Chill a standout example of innovation with purpose. Through a focus on personalized customer experiences and community engagement, Josh has positioned Union Chill as one of New York’s premier adult-use dispensaries—reflecting the spirit of resilience and integrity that define the Corning area’s business community.

Lifetime Achievement Award- René Snyder

This year’s recipient, René L. Snyder, exemplifies these qualities through her extraordinary leadership and lifelong dedication to service. As Chief Executive Officer of AIM Independent Living Center, René has spent over 22 years advancing independence, inclusion, and equality for people with disabilities across New York’s Southern Tier. Her visionary leadership has fueled AIM’s growth and impact, including the development of accessible housing initiatives, programs for homeless youth, and family support services for those affected by substance use. A proud U.S. Air Force and Desert Storm veteran, René continues to serve her community through advocacy for veterans and people with disabilities alike. Her professional achievements, civic leadership, and personal integrity reflect the very essence of this award. René resides in Wellsburg, New York, with her husband and children, and outside her professional life, she is an avid triathlete, long-distance runner, and skier.

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