Member Dinner Meetup (Inner Harbor, Syracuse, NY)
✨ Dinner Theme: What It’s Really Worth
How do you price for a customer who wants quality, but knows what a fair price looks like?
Today’s customers are willing to pay for quality. They’ll spend more when they believe something is worth it, but they’re also more informed than ever. They compare options, read reviews, ask questions, and notice when a price feels disconnected from the product or experience they’re receiving.
This month’s member dinner is a practical conversation about finding that balance — how we determine what to charge, understand what it costs to acquire and serve a customer, protect our margins, and communicate why our offering is worth the price.
We’ll talk about how to build pricing around the value we provide while staying grounded in what customers are actually willing to pay. Because customers want to feel confident that they’re getting quality, transparency, and a fair exchange for their money.
Event Details
📅 Date: Thursday, September 24, 2026
🥂 Optional Cocktail Hour: 5:45 PM
🍽️ Dinner: 6:30 PM
📍 Location: Syracuse, NY (Revealed to CNY Women's Network Collective members internally and upon event registration).
Cost: Guests will order off the menu and pay for their own meals and drinks. Separate checks will be provided at the end of the evening. A 20% gratuity will be added to your final bill. A private dining space has been reserved for our group.
With a limited number of seats available, we encourage you to RSVP early to secure your spot. Once full, a waitlist will be available.
If you register for this event and find you are unable to attend, please update your registration or text Kera at 315-702-4653 at least 24 hours before the event so we can open up space for those who wish to attend.
Conversation Prompts
We’ll weave guided prompts throughout the evening to help open the conversation. Come ready to share how you currently approach pricing, compare notes with other members, and talk honestly about the numbers you’re still figuring out.
On Pricing & Numbers
How do you currently determine what to charge for your product or service?
What costs do you factor into your pricing that you didn’t consider when you first started?
On Customer Acquisition
What does it actually cost you to get one new customer?
When you factor in your marketing, advertising, sales time, networking, referrals, or other acquisition efforts, does your current pricing account for the cost of getting that customer?
On Profit & Sustainability
Do you know the profit margin you’re aiming for — and how did you decide what that number should be?
Have you ever realized you were making less on a sale than you thought once you accounted for all the costs involved?
On Customers & Value
How do you communicate why something costs what it costs without feeling like you have to justify the price?
What makes you personally decide that something is worth paying more for?
On Accessibility & Integrity
How do you balance wanting your product or service to be accessible with the need to make your business profitable?
Where do you draw the line between offering a fair price and undervaluing what you provide?
Why We Chose This Topic
This conversation was inspired by the story behind this month’s dinner venue and the philosophy that shaped it.
The business began with a longtime dream of creating something of its own and grew into something much larger than originally imagined. Throughout that growth, one idea remained central: creating a quality experience that feels welcoming and accessible to people from all walks of life.
That got us thinking about the balance so many business owners are navigating today. Customers are willing to pay for quality, but they are also paying attention. They want to understand what they’re getting, why it costs what it costs, and whether the experience actually delivers on the price.
As business owners, we’re navigating that same equation from the other side: understanding our costs, knowing what it takes to acquire and serve a customer, protecting our margins, and making sure the value we provide is reflected in what we charge.
That’s the conversation we’re bringing to the table this month.
About The Collective by CNYWN The Collective is a private membership community for women who live, work, and lead in Upstate New York. We create intentional experiences — like this one — where relationships are built, ideas are exchanged, and opportunities are created.
Curious about joining? Explore our membership options here!
By registering for this event, you agree to the following terms and conditions:
Event Participation: Your registration confirms your participation in the event. Tickets are neither refundable or transferable.
Code of Conduct: All attendees are expected to behave in a professional and respectful manner. Disruptive or inappropriate behavior may result in removal from the event without a refund.
Liability Waiver: By attending the event, you assume all risks associated with participation, including but not limited to personal injury or loss of personal property. The event organizers are not liable for any damages or injuries incurred.
Media Release: The event may be photographed and/or recorded. By attending, you consent to the use of your image and likeness in promotional materials and publications.
Privacy Policy: Your personal information will be used solely for event-related purposes and will not be shared with third parties without your consent.
Health and Safety: Attendees must comply with all health and safety guidelines as stipulated by the event organizers and venue.
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.