We always get the same question here at Zogby International: Why Utica, NY? Utica is John Zogby’s (our President and CEO) hometown, the rent is reasonable and the workforce is outstanding. It takes us only ten minutes to get to work and we get a full taste of all four seasons. We’re nestled at the bottom of a stunning mountain range and a short distance to any number of major cities. In this day and age, connected by video and satellite, one could work anywhere, and, well, Utica is…anywhere. Utica is great! However, if you want to know the real reason we all stay in Utica, NY, you have to take a short drive down Varick Street.

OK, we really stay in Utica for the beer. Utica, NY is the hometown of the boutique-style Saranac Brewery, which happens to brew some of the world’s best beer. And yes, that’s John Zogby enjoying a beer with Nick Matt, President of the Saranac Brewery. Earlier this summer Zogby International had the wonderful opportunity to host an event with the Saranac Brewery, all under the guise of sharing the ideas in The Way We’ll Be with local business leaders. In all seriousness, it was a great event at which our Utica-area business leaders got together and talked about the next generation (First Globalsâ„¢) of consumers and who was keeping up-to-date with their clients via facebook. The facebook award goes to SUNY IT, whose president has made great strides on the site! (SUNY IT President Bjong Wolf Yeigh second from the left)

We love being part of the global community but we also love spending time in our hometown. Here are a few shots of the Zogby folks enjoying the event!

Former Zogby Project Manager Kim Wyborski, Mrs. Zogby, Sandy Nelson and her husband Shane Nelson, Government Services Executive

 

Sharon Jachim, Executive VP of Strategic Solutions along with Fritz Wenzel, Communications Consultant and Zogby friend University of Rochester Professor, and author, Curt Smith

 

John Zogby signing a copy of his book, The Way We’ll Be