August 29, 2025

Labor Day isn’t just a long weekend; it’s a salute to the makers and doers who power the Hudson Valley - shopkeepers in Rhinebeck, growers in Milton, founders in Beacon, and manufacturers in Newburgh. If we bring that same work ethic to how we connect, we can build a modern, generous networking culture that actually moves business forward. Happy Labor Day, HV. Let’s honor the work, and upgrade how we work together!

A conversation yesterday with Sandy, a world‑traveled advisor who just moved back to the HV, echoed what I’ve heard on a dozen recent calls: it’s hard to break into meaningful, productive professional circles here. Traditional formats feel too rigid, transactional, and simply put, “old boys club-ish”! So we’re piloting conversation‑driven gatherings this fall (walk‑and‑talk meetups, podcast‑powered intros, small peer boards) designed to trade value, not business cards.

If you want in, reply and tell me your ideal format. If you have a format that you think already works, let me know that too!

📊 Hudson Valley’s Groundbreaking AI Executive Hire Signals Regional Tech Leadership Shift
This month’s most-read story highlighted the region’s leap into AI leadership: Hudson Valley Credit Union appointed Rehan Kausar as Senior Vice President & Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer - marking the first dedicated AI C‑suite role at a local institution.
👉 Read our coverage here
👉 Capital Region Chamber confirmation (Capital Region Chamber)
👉 Albany Business Review reporting (X (formerly Twitter))

💡 Spotlight: Hudson Valley Entrepreneurs
This Labor Day weekend, we’re celebrating the grinders - the business owners who show up every day, adapt when things get tough, and keep their doors open. From café owners pulling early shifts in Cold Spring to manufacturers retooling in Newburgh, these folks embody the real spirit of Labor Day: hard work, resilience, and community.
👉 Are you one of them? Reply to share your story. We’re lining up features for both HV Vibes and our upcoming Hudson Valley Business Intel Podcast.

Here’s my ask: Tell me what networking looks like in your ideal world. What’s worked for you elsewhere? What’s missing here? What would make you excited to show up?

Reply to this email, because it’s not just about naming the problem, it’s about building the solution together. The Valley deserves better professional community. Let’s create it.

Thanks for pushing us for more sources and tighter analysis. You’ll see even more of that in September as we dive into fall funding, tourism tailwinds, and growth opportunities across the region.

Enjoy the long weekend. Keep building the good.

– Ed Weeks Jr.

P.S. What’s your biggest networking challenge in the Hudson Valley? Hit reply and let’s start building something real.

About the Author

Ed Weeks, Jr., MBA is the publisher of HV Vibes and other business intelligence newsletters including AI Jumpstart Lab, Revenue Stack, The Fractional Fix and The Press On Report. Based in the Hudson Valley, Ed helps growth-stage entrepreneurs and Gen X business operators identify profit recovery opportunities through strategic automation and AI implementation. He is also the creator of the F-I-P-O framework for building resilient businesses.

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