The Finger Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce held a special Holiday Open House Networking Mixer on December 10 at One Franklin Square in downtown Geneva. The event marked the final Business After Hours gathering of 2025 and was included in the Chamber’s popular Season Pass program. Attendees were invited to visit the Chamber offices and tour neighboring tenant spaces throughout the building. The evening featured food, wine, and beer from Chamber members, along with live music by Flow State Experience, a band made up of Hobart and William Smith Colleges students.
A focal point of the evening was the celebration of Community Broadband Networks’ fifth anniversary at One Franklin Square. Founded in 2018 by industry veteran and Long Island native Thomas Magg, Geneva-based Community Broadband Networks (CBN-FLX) has grown from a three-person startup into a regional provider with more than 40 employees. The company is currently leveraging more than $121 million in federal grant funding to build critical infrastructure, specializing in hybrid fiber-optic and fixed wireless solutions designed to help bridge the digital divide across New York and Massachusetts. By emphasizing personalized customer service and guaranteed-for-life pricing, CBN-FLX offers an affordable alternative to larger providers while expanding high-speed connectivity in underserved rural and urban communities. Company founder Tom Magg and partners were on hand during the event to meet with guests, provide tours, and speak during the program.
The Chamber also highlighted fellow building tenant and member Safe Harbors of the Finger Lakes. Advocacy Coordinator Brittany DeSain opened the organization’s Community Closet, which provides emergency clothing for victims of domestic violence in a space designed to resemble a retail store. The closet is stocked entirely through donations, managed by volunteers, and offered free of charge to Safe Harbors clients.
In lieu of an entrance fee, attendees were encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item. Donations were designated for the Geneva Center of Concern, a Chamber member for more than 20 years. By the end of the evening, more than 200 pounds of food had been collected to support the organization’s ongoing food drives.
The Chamber also recognized food and beverage members who provided generous discounts or donations for the event, including Cam’s Pizzeria, Cosentino’s Ristorante, Mark’s Pizzeria, Ronnie’s Cedar Inn, Taqueria Los Amigos, Tucci’s Family Diner, and Wegmans, as well as Airy Acres Vineyards, Big aLICe Brewing, and Ravines Wine Cellars. Special thanks were extended to Chamber photographers Neil Sjoblom of Sjoblom Photography and Justina Holcomb of Naturally Chic Photography for documenting the evening.
The program concluded with remarks from Chamber President Miranda Odell and staff, who previewed initiatives planned for 2026 and invited guest speakers to present. Speakers included Tom Magg of Community Broadband Networks, who discussed the company’s recent growth and encouraged guests to visit its newly renovated and expanded space at One Franklin Square. Leaders from the Geneva Business Improvement District and Safe Harbors of the Finger Lakes also addressed attendees. The program closed with remarks from John Marks of Historic Geneva, who shared the building’s history, including its past as a downtown department store.
The Chamber’s next Business After Hours Mixer will be held on Wednesday, January 10, from 4 to 6 p.m. at Servpro Victor/Canandaigua, located at 5322 North Street in Canandaigua. RSVPs are required. Admission is $10 for Chamber members and $20 for non-members, unless covered by a Business After Hours Season Pass. Season passes for 2026 are now available. For more information, contact the Chamber at [email protected].
Chamber programs and events are supported by the Chamber’s 2025 Annual Partners: Canandaigua National Bank, Casella Waste Systems Inc., Community Broadband Networks, Fairfield by Marriott, Finger Lakes Federal Credit Union, Finger Lakes Partners Insurance, Four Winds Chimney, Guardian Glass, Massa Construction, N-Hance of the Finger Lakes, Pedulla’s Wine & Liquor, Potter Heating, Cooling & Plumbing, Seneca Lake Resorts, and Waterloo Container.
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