Write a commentThe Greater Oswego-Fulton Chamber of Commerce (GOFCC) announced David Katleski, founder and president of Empire Brewing Company, will be the keynote speaker at the Chamber’s National Small Business Week Breakfast, presented by Pathfinder Bank, May 3 at River Vista Center in Fulton, New York. Katleski will share the story of Empire’s growth from a small, local brewery to an international distributor, and industry leader.
The GOFCC National Small Business Week Breakfast will highlight the impact of outstanding entrepreneurs and small-business owners in the community. The program will include the launch of the new GOFCC Small Business Toolkit. Additionally, an award ceremony will highlight the Oswego and Fulton Small Businesses of the Year.
“Across Oswego and Fulton counties there are exceptional small businesses leading in their industry and contributing to the vitality of our community through jobs and economic impact,” said Katie Toomey, executive director of the Greater Oswego-Fulton Chamber of Commerce. “Through this breakfast, and other small business week events, we are celebrating local businesses and reminding residents the importance of supporting the drivers of our local economy.”
The National Small Business Week Breakfast runs in conjunction with the kick-off of the Palladium Times and Valley News’ Live Local. Shop Local.
For more information or to buy tickets or tables please visit: http://oswegofultonchamber.com/events/National-Small-Business-Week-Breakfast-1187/details.
About David Katleski, Founder and President, Empire Brewing Company
David Katleski is the founder and president of Empire Brewing Company and the New York State Brewers Association, both of which have distinguished themselves by, respectively, the quality of its products and the effectiveness of its advocacy for small brewers and the many ways in which they can fairly and artfully be presented to their customers.
Empire Brewing Company began as a brewpub in 1994, located in downtown Syracuse, New York. Demonstrating what it takes to survive and flourish in a crowded market, Empire’s success is due not only to superior product but also progressive business practices. With numerous accolades, including nine Great American Beer Festival and two World Beer Cup medals, the quality of the beer is evident. In addition, it's a Slow Food Snail of Approval award-winning business, partners with 60 local farmers for the production of the foods on its menu, and purchases 100 percent New York State renewable energy. Empire has also been named one of the 20 best brewpubs in America, by both Beer Advocate and The New Brewer. Thrillist recently named Empire Brewing Company “Top 15 Restaurants in NYS not in NYC.”
Empire Farm Brewery opened its doors in 2016. The 40,000 sq. ft. building sits on 22 acres of virgin farmland. The objective of the Empire Farm Brewery is to expand the existing facility and agricultural component of Empire Brewing Co. to a standalone manufacturing headquarters and agritourism destination in Cazenovia, New York. The 60 barrel brewery has allowed Empire to keg, bottle and eventually can their craft beer for regional, national and international distribution. The farm has been cultivated for barley, lavender, vegetables, herbs, fruits and of course hops. Located in the former hop capital of the United States, the development of the second brewery location has helped to revitalize Madison County’s rich hop history. A farmstead apiary, or “epiary,” will generate Empire’s very own estate honey. These crops are used in Empire’s award winning ales and lagers, as well as the restaurants at both the Cazenovia and Syracuse locations. In just over 20 years, Empire has matured from a seven barrel brewpub to one of the largest craft breweries in New York State. Now an international exporter, Empire Brewing Company is truly shaping into a global brand.
The New York State Brewers Association began in 2003 with 38 breweries. The guild now works with more than 200 New York state breweries and has forged an alliance with lawmakers and state wholesalers. Over the past decade, Katleski has advocated for and won a myriad reform, including the first franchise reform legislation in the U.S. These efforts have awarded him the prestigious and national Brewers Association Defense of the Industry Award in 2013. David continues to lobby for his compatriots in the brewing industry, recently playing a prominent role in passing both the Brunch Bill and the Farm Brewery Bill. https://empirebrew.com/empire-farmbrewery
The Greater Oswego-Fulton Chamber of Commerce advances the business and community interests of the region through advocacy, member services and community enhancements. The GOFCC is a membership organization leading a regional collaboration that builds a vibrant retail/commercial/residential environment through the use of its many resources. The GOFCC is a fully integrated affiliate of CenterState CEO, enabling the GOFCC to be strong chamber, dedicated to the needs of the Oswego- Fulton community, while bringing the area prominently into the overall growth and success of the region. www.oswegofultonchamber.com
