Once a summer I am lucky enough to be invited to the Mid-Day Club of Buffalo. Sometimes it's to attend an event, while other times I have been invited to have coffee or lunch. Recently I was invited to have lunch with Jeremy Hudson, President of the club. When I arrived to the 21st floor of the Liberty Building I was expecting to shake hands with someone a bit older than the person who greeted me. Jeremy Hudson, VP at Hudson Advisor Services, is the youngest member in the history of the club to serve as president. The decision was made by design, as the club has been in the pursuit of younger members in recent years.
There are some real benefits by electing such a young club president. First off, the hope is to seek out programming in the form of guest speakers who share in progressive ideals of the city. Many of these programs are scheduled during breakfast hours, giving members the opportunity to partake in some serious food for thought before embarking on their busy day. Not to say that the club is based around guest speakers... it's not*. The Mid-Day Club is an inexpensive private getaway overlooking the city - a place to grab a cup of coffee, eat a good lunch, or invite your friends, family and coworkers to enjoy themselves in a setting that's hard to beat.
Talking to Jeremy gave me the impression that there the club was moving forward in an exciting direction - one that included an up and coming group of young professionals who will continue to lead Buffalo in coming years. "I feel honored," he told me. "As a young president, my age gives me perspective to help bridge the gap between the club's past and future. I envision a continued transformation of the club, marrying its historic culture, with the needs of Buffalo's contemporary professionals - preserve what is special about the club, but update it. It is my hope that this will encourage more young professionals to join, so they can receive the same advantages from the club, that continue to benefit my own career."
I first wrote about the Mid-Day Club back in '06 (see post). To this day I have never forgotten that initial introduction to the club, its members and its staff. Although I am not a member, I feel that this is one of the more attainable clubs in Buffalo. Of course this is not an athletic club. Nor is it a place to sit at the bar and get sauced and smoke a big fat cigar. Rather this is a place to enjoy a good sandwich, converse with other members and check out the sky high views. It's comfortable and friendly. It's got character dating back to 1936. There is a private dining room where meetings take place and the lounge is always open for members to read the paper, surf on a computer or just enjoy a cup of coffee. Thought the early morning members do take advantage of the facility, the name Mid-Day is befitting due to the time period when the club is in full use.
Regardless of career path, I see the Mid-Day as a place where young, bright creatives can come together to combine thoughtful energy towards the common goal of making Buffalo's business district a thriving and dynamic place. "In the years to come, new members will be integrated with established members, consisting of some of the most influential and high profile people in Buffalo. I see the Club remaining the place to be, where social and professional relationships are forged." Every city needs a club such as this - I'm happy that the time has come for Mid-Day to break out of its shell in order to once again claim a position of strength in the city's downtown core.
*The Mid-Day Club is also a great place to host receptions and does have a healthy list of reciprocal clubs, including the Buffalo Yacht Club. Click here for contact information and here to inquire about membership.
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There are some real benefits by electing such a young club president. First off, the hope is to seek out programming in the form of guest speakers who share in progressive ideals of the city. Many of these programs are scheduled during breakfast hours, giving members the opportunity to partake in some serious food for thought before embarking on their busy day. Not to say that the club is based around guest speakers... it's not*. The Mid-Day Club is an inexpensive private getaway overlooking the city - a place to grab a cup of coffee, eat a good lunch, or invite your friends, family and coworkers to enjoy themselves in a setting that's hard to beat.
Talking to Jeremy gave me the impression that there the club was moving forward in an exciting direction - one that included an up and coming group of young professionals who will continue to lead Buffalo in coming years. "I feel honored," he told me. "As a young president, my age gives me perspective to help bridge the gap between the club's past and future. I envision a continued transformation of the club, marrying its historic culture, with the needs of Buffalo's contemporary professionals - preserve what is special about the club, but update it. It is my hope that this will encourage more young professionals to join, so they can receive the same advantages from the club, that continue to benefit my own career."
I first wrote about the Mid-Day Club back in '06 (see post). To this day I have never forgotten that initial introduction to the club, its members and its staff. Although I am not a member, I feel that this is one of the more attainable clubs in Buffalo. Of course this is not an athletic club. Nor is it a place to sit at the bar and get sauced and smoke a big fat cigar. Rather this is a place to enjoy a good sandwich, converse with other members and check out the sky high views. It's comfortable and friendly. It's got character dating back to 1936. There is a private dining room where meetings take place and the lounge is always open for members to read the paper, surf on a computer or just enjoy a cup of coffee. Thought the early morning members do take advantage of the facility, the name Mid-Day is befitting due to the time period when the club is in full use.
Regardless of career path, I see the Mid-Day as a place where young, bright creatives can come together to combine thoughtful energy towards the common goal of making Buffalo's business district a thriving and dynamic place. "In the years to come, new members will be integrated with established members, consisting of some of the most influential and high profile people in Buffalo. I see the Club remaining the place to be, where social and professional relationships are forged." Every city needs a club such as this - I'm happy that the time has come for Mid-Day to break out of its shell in order to once again claim a position of strength in the city's downtown core.
*The Mid-Day Club is also a great place to host receptions and does have a healthy list of reciprocal clubs, including the Buffalo Yacht Club. Click here for contact information and here to inquire about membership.
I don't get it. It sounds like this is a very secretive club allot like the Illuminatti. How do I get an application?
It's a wonderful place, and a great Club! We're not at all secretive, just not publicized well. We are currently reaching out to attract new members. You can go to www.middayclubbuffalo.com/membership.php and the application is there at the bottom.