Rochester Professional Consultants Network upcoming events

Tech Forum (01-May-2026)

Fri, 01 May 2026 12:00:00 GMT

Bring your technology questions about computers, your internet service, mobile apps, telephones, or any other technology. During the first half of the meeting, we'll help each other solve tech-related issues.

For the second half of the meeting, we'll switch over to what we call “Our Technology Adventures”. It’s an opportunity for you to talk about new technology you’ve recently started using and the things you find helpful about that technology.

This is an informal, facilitated discussion, and all attendees are welcome to participate.

Dave Bassett will be facilitating this forum. Dave has been a Patent Agent registered to practice before the US Patent and Trademark Office since 2004 and has helped people get patents in a wide number of fields.

This meeting is open to the public.

COST: $10 for nonmembers

Contact us at helpdesk@rochesterconsultants.org if you experience any trouble registering for this event.

SPECIAL NOTE: This will be a hybrid event where you can attend via Zoom or in-person at 2800 Dewey Ave, Rochester, NY 14616. Attending in-person is highly encouraged.

After the meeting ends, open networking (with private breakout rooms for those on Zoom) will continue until 10:00 a.m. ET for the attendees.

After you register, you will be sent two (2) emails, one from RPCN and one from Zoom. NOTE: The email from RPCN will be sent almost immediately but the ZOOM email may be delayed by a few minutes. Be patient while waiting for it. Click the link in the Zoom email to join this event.

Spotlight your business! Register as a meeting sponsor. For details on sponsoring, click HERE.

{827 5439 8957}

Let’s Make LinkedIn Feel Simple Again (08-May-2026)

Fri, 08 May 2026 12:00:00 GMT

Facilitator: Michelle Arbore

If LinkedIn has ever felt overwhelming or unclear, you’re not alone. Together, we’ll take the mystery out of LinkedIn in a friendly, simple, low-pressure way. You’ll walk away knowing what your profile really needs, who to connect with, and how to show up more confidently without feeling like you must do everything perfectly. It’s a practical, encouraging session for anyone who wants to use LinkedIn more comfortably and effectively.

Key Takeaways:

What LinkedIn really is (and how to actually use it)
The 5 must-haves your profile needs
How to show up in a way that feels natural to you

Note: Images from this event may be used for promotional purposes.

_______________________

About Michelle:

We all need support sometimes.

Sometimes you just need someone to show you what to do… and how to do it.

That’s where Michelle comes in!

Michelle Arbore is the owner of Savvy Social Media, where she works with women entrepreneurs who want to stand out on LinkedIn and attract the right clients. She helps simplify what can feel overwhelming, showing you what actually matters, what to focus on, and how to put it all together in a way that makes sense.

Her approach is simple, clear, and easy to follow. Because of that, her clients feel more confident, save time, and can focus on growing their business and connecting with the right people.

Michelle is also an international speaker, featured in webinars, podcasts, and online events, and has created workshops and challenges designed to help businesses grow. She has been featured in local and national publications, including the Democrat & Chronicle and Natural Awakenings.

She is the recipient of the 2016 Up & Coming Business Woman Award from the Rochester Women’s Network and was a finalist for the Digital Rochester Technology Woman of the Year Award.

She lives in Rochester, New York with her husband, son, and their cat, Salem.

Michelle is also a breast cancer survivor and lives with Fibromyalgia, which has given her a deep understanding of the value of time, energy, and keeping things simple. She now supports others who have been recently diagnosed.

This meeting is open to the public.

COST: $10 for nonmembers

Contact us at helpdesk@rochesterconsultants.org if you experience any trouble registering for this event.

SPECIAL NOTE: This will be a hybrid event where you can attend via Zoom or in-person at 2800 Dewey Ave, Rochester, NY 14616. Attending in-person is highly encouraged.

After the meeting ends, open networking (with private breakout rooms for those on Zoom) will continue until 10:00 a.m. ET for the attendees.

Spotlight your business! Register as a meeting sponsor. For details on sponsoring, click HERE.

{833 6716 2435}

Sponsorships and Ads for Awards Luncheon 2026 (13-May-2026)

Wed, 13 May 2026 16:00:00 GMT

Please help support our 2026 Entrepreneurs Wall of Fame Awards Luncheon, where individuals will be honored in each of five categories:

Community Champion – John Adams

Leadership Award – Simeon Banister

Entrepreneur of the Year – Lauren Goetz

Linda Halliburton Friend of RPCN Award – Wayne France

Dave Young Dedicated Service Award – Frank Crombe

President’s Award – Joyce Curran

A detailed description of each award category is available HERE.

Sponsorship Opportunities

The Awards Luncheon provides an excellent opportunity for sponsors and advertisers to increase their exposure and influence to small businesses. Listed below are several levels of sponsorship and what benefits they include.

Platinum Level: $500.00

3 minutes of podium time (recorded and made availble to your marketing team for repurposing)
Right to provide up to three promotional items per table
Full page print advertisement in the program booklet (Inside Front Cover)
Your company logo (large) on all signage at event
Your company logo (larger) on the event page and in all promotional emails
Your company logo in pre-event social media ad promotions
Your company logo in the RPCN newsletter sent to approx. 1,500 subscribers
Your company mentioned in all event press releases
Receive list of attendees
Includes two complimentary luncheon tickets

Gold Level: $250.00

Right to provide one promotional item per table
Half page print advertisement in the program booklet
Your company logo on all signage at event
Your company logo on the event page and in all promotional emails
Your company mentioned in pre-event social media ad promotions
Your company logo in the RPCN newsletter sent to approx. 1,500 subscribers
Your company mentioned in all event press releases
Receive list of attendees
Includes one complimentary luncheon ticket.

Silver Level: $150.00

Quarter page print advertisement in the program booklet
Your company logo on all signage at event
Your company logo on the event page and in all promotional emails
Your company mentioned in pre-event social media ad promotions
Your company logo in the RPCN newsletter sent to approx. 1,500 subscribers
Your company mentioned in all event press releases
Receive list of attendees

For Sponsorship interest, reach out to Tom Fecteau at 315-313-4280 or president@rochesterconsultants.org

Advertising Opportunities:

The Awards Luncheon provides an excellent opportunity for advertisers to support the organization and to increase their exposure to small businesses.

Listed below are the available levels of advertisements and prices.

Program Ad	Member	Non-Member
Business Card	$10	$15
Quarter Page	$30	$40
Half Page	$60	$75
Full Page	$100	$120
Back Cover (inside)	$110	$130
Back Cover (outside)	$110	$130

SIZES

Full Page (5”W x 8”H)

Half Page (5”W x 3.875”H)

Quarter Page (2.375”W x 3.875”H)

Business Card (2.375”W x 1.625”H)

FORMAT

High Resolution PDFs are preferred.

Ad content must be submitted/approved by Tuesday, April 21st

Ads can be designed for you. Please email ad size, text, contact info, and any high-resolution images (logos, stock art, etc.) to Melanie Watson at melanie@melaniewatsondesign.com. Please be clear on what you’d like included, as you will only be allowed one revision.

Reserve your spot today !

10th Annual Entrepreneurs Wall of Fame Awards (13-May-2026)

Wed, 13 May 2026 16:00:00 GMT

Please join us at at our 2026 Entrepreneurs Wall of Fame Awards Luncheon, where individuals will be honored in each of six categories:

Community Champion – John Adams, Greece Chamber of Commerce, FRANnet

Leadership Award – Simeon Banister, Rochester Area Community Foundation

Entrepreneur of the Year – Lauren Goetz, Everyday Hands

Linda Halliburton Friend of RPCN Award – Wayne France, University of Rochester Simon School of Business

Dave Young Dedicated Service Award – Frank Crombe

President’s Award – Joyce Curran

Dietary Restrictions

At the bottom of the registration form on the next page you can indicate any special dietary needs for you or your guests and we will do our best to accommodate you.

A detailed description of each award category is available HERE.

Options for sponsorships and program ads are available HERE.

Master of Ceremonies: Theresa Marsenburg

Theresa Marsenburg is a highly respected journalist and an Emmy-award-winning news anchor currently serving as the co-anchor for the evening news on WROC Channel 8 in Rochester. With a career built on a passion for storytelling and community engagement, she has become a familiar and trusted voice in the Greater Rochester area. Her excellence in the field was recently recognized on a broader scale when she was named one of the 2024 "Women of Distinction" by New York State Assemblymember Harry Bronson, an honor reserved for women who have made significant contributions to business, civic affairs, and humanitarian work.

Beyond her professional achievements in the newsroom, Marsenburg is known for her deep commitment to the Rochester community and her ability to connect with diverse audiences. Her extensive experience in public speaking and her reputation for professional integrity make her an ideal choice to lead the 2026 RPCN Awards Luncheon. As an emcee, she brings a blend of sophisticated poise and genuine warmth, ensuring that the achievements of the local business community are celebrated with the prestige and enthusiasm they deserve.

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Business Forum (15-May-2026)

Fri, 15 May 2026 12:00:00 GMT

Join us for an interactive and lively session of problem solving as attendees find solutions to the challenges they've encountered when starting, scaling, or maintaining an entrepreneurial venture. The complexity of small business is ever-changing, and solutions will be shared by peers who have found answers for themselves.

Bob Lurz, a veteran startup consultant and long-time supporter of RPCN, will be facilitating this forum.

This meeting is friendly, fresh, and open to the public.

COST: $10 for nonmembers

Contact us at helpdesk@rochesterconsultants.org if you experience any trouble registering for this event.

SPECIAL NOTE: This will be a hybrid event where you can attend via Zoom or in-person at 2800 Dewey Ave, Rochester, NY 14616. Attending in-person is highly encouraged.

After the meeting ends, open networking (with private breakout rooms for those on Zoom) will continue until 10:00 a.m. ET for the attendees.

Spotlight your business! Register as a meeting sponsor. For details on sponsoring, click HERE.

{827 5579 9023}