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The Buffalo Niagara Partnership celebrated 140 of the region's top employers at the inaugural BNP Economic Champions event on Nov. 18, presented by KeyBank. More than 400 Western New York leaders, change makers and innovators joined us at The Admiral Room to raise a glass to their successes and the peers driving Buffalo Niagara's economy forward.

Moog Inc. President & CEO Pat Roche accepted the 2025 Business of the Year award, while all Economic Champions (click here for the full list) in attendance were honored with a certificate, courtesy of the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority.

"My job this evening is just to acknowledge the great place in which we're all based, to help you all celebrate what we as a community and a business community can bring – because this is the vibrancy that supports the growth of our city going forward – and that we should support one another and recognize the successes that are out there," Pat Roche said.

"I feel humbled that we are the first company on this list, but there are many more that will follow after us and be recognized by the Buffalo Niagara Partnership. So I feel this is a great idea to get out, think about what we do that's positive and keep doing more of it."

Thank you to all of the evening's event sponsors for making this celebration possible and for supporting the employers that are building momentum across our region.

• Pinnacle Partner: KeyBank
• Visionary Sponsor: Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority
• Smile Booth Sponsor: Amazon
• Fresh Connections Sponsor: Wegmans
• Media Sponsor: The Buffalo News
• Video Sponsor: Lemur Studios
• Corporate Sponsors: Erie County Industrial Development Agency, Great Lakes Building Systems, Inc., Hodgson Russ LLP, Lumsden & McCormick, LLP

What attendees are saying:

• 43North: "It’s a testament to the momentum building in our region"
• AAA Western and Central New York: "Thank you to our incredible team and partners for making this possible"
• Abbey Mecca: "We are proud to stand alongside such great companies"
• Clementine Gold Group: "Our team is grateful for the love, the labor, and the chance to serve this region we call home"
• Frey Electric: "We remain committed to driving growth"
• JK Executive Strategies: "We are honored to be named a 2025 Economic Champion"
• Kaleida Health: "We’re honored to stand alongside more than 135 organizations driving growth"
• KeyBank: "Hats off to the Buffalo Niagara Partnership for a great Economic Champions event"
• Lumsden McCormick CPA: "We can't wait to see who the Economic Champions honored at next year's event will be!"
• Moog: "Thank you to the Buffalo Niagara Partnership for this incredible honor"
• NewGen AV: "It was inspiring to be surrounded by so many businesses, partners, and leaders"
• Niagara University: "We were one of 135 organizations recognized as the best in our region"
• Northland Workforce Training Center: "Honored to be part of the inaugural Buffalo Niagara Partnership Economic Champions event"
• Power Shift Consulting: "What an honor it was to be in the room with hundreds of business owners"
• sasi: "So excited to be ... recognized for being part of the regional movement of economic champions!"
• Sealing Devices Inc.: "We’re honored to be included among so many organizations"
• Tapecon, Inc.: "We're absolutely honored to have been selected"
• Univera Healthcare: "Thank you to everyone who makes this region thrive"
• VSP Graphic Group: "This recognition is a representation of the best of our region and community"
• WENDEL Companies: "Our team enjoyed connecting with fellow leaders"
• YWCA of Western New York: "We are proud to receive this recognition"

Relive the excitement and celebrations from the signature happy hour: