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270 Chambers Bridge Road * Brick, NJ 08723
732-477-4949 Phone 732-477-5788 Fax
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2009
A Review By Michele Eventoff, Executive Director
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Save The Date
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Wednesday, January 20th 5-7 pm
Business After Hours
NJ Diagnostic Imaging
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Dear Brick Chamber,
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Before we say a final goodbye to 2009 and move ahead into a new year, I thought you might enjoy a brief overview of the past Chamber year.
Our response to the challenges faced by so many of our members was multi-faceted. We offered many new events and programs to give you additional opportunities for networking and free advertising. We added some "lighter" programs to keep spirits up and, as an organization, we maintained a positive, upbeat attitude to help our businesses "weather the storm."
We held two events almost every month, and in some months three, and the list of these follows this narrative. We also initiated a number of new programs, some in response to the economy, others to keep it fresh and interesting.
Our plans for 2010 include continuation of the programs you enjoy and that work well. We also have new, exciting ideas you'll hear about in the coming months. If you have ideas for a program or event that you'd like to see implemented please call and tell me about it...this is your Chamber of Commerce!
Along with this summary, I am sending you my warmest wishes for a healthy and prosperous new year filled with many joys.
Warmest regards,
Michele
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NEW INITIATIVES
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 Our Spend Locally! campaign is designed to bring more money to you, keep more dollars in our community and bring awareness of the diversity of services available locally. We kicked off the campaign this year and plan to run it through 2010, and perhaps beyond. We have promotional materials, available for free, so you can help make this message remain uppermost in everyone's minds. Eblast advertising to our contact list of 1,200 + is now offered to our members as a new benefit. Those who've taken advantage of it, told us that they were pleased with the results. Country Store Jewelers, one of the most recent, immediately received six phone calls when the blast was sent!
We also sent eblasts to advertise different categories of members, to bring them additional visibility. We will continue to do this in 2010, so if your business hasn't been targeted yet, know that you're in our plans.
S.M.I.L.E. programs that included networking lunches, a meditation program and a dance class. All were very positive experiences for our members.
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EVENTS
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 Networking opportunities are of primary importance to our members and were plentiful this year. Five of our events were held in conjunction with other organizations, which provided members opportunities for expanded networking. We held a seminar in October with three speakers on topics that members had chosen in surveys.
Our Employee Appreciation Day Luncheon filled the restaurant, Carrabba's provided a delicious lunch, all guests  left with gifts and many guests took home door prizes as well...a wonderful event!
Our 10th Annual Golf Invitational was very successful. Despite hearing of others that had experienced a decline in attendance, ours did not. Equally important, those attending had a wonderful time.
The feedback that we've received about our Distinguished Citizens Award Dinner and Installation of 2010 Board of Directors, was overwhelmingly positive. The presentations were warm and the recipients were most deserving. It is important to note is that we were very price conscious in setting fees for attendance for all events. Our programs and events were priced very modestly.
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FREE ADVERTISING / BRICKCHAMBER.COM / ADVERTISING & MARKETING
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 Our free advertising program, "It's In The Bag," made possible through our partnership with the Brick Municipal Utilities Authority and Easter Seals of New Jersey, delivered useful information to new residents and advertising for our members. The program continues to be very popular and effective advertising.
Eblasts
to keep members informed of our programs, events and issues of importance, are now being sent on a regular, scheduled basis. We are conscious of limiting the number of these that we send so that we don't fill your mailbox unnecessarily.
Our website, which is updated on a timely basis, has enjoyed considerable traffic on a monthly basis. The Adsites provide valuable and cost-effective advertising for our members.
Advertising & Marketing
: We have had several interviews on Comcast "Spotlight" and "Newsmakers" and on BTV (Brick TV).
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EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION / NEW MAP / TWP SUPPORT / YOUTH MENTORING
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 Our Educational Foundation had a very successful year. All 200 Dream Dollars Raffle tickets were sold. We awarded $13,500 in scholarships (our greatest amount of annual giving to date) to deserving students and increased the dollars in the Foundation. We received outside funds to award scholarships on behalf of others, again a greater number and amount than in any other year.
 The New Map of Brick Township was delivered and is a beautiful publication. Pick up your copy today at the Chamber Office.
Township Support
is ongoing as a significant number of phone calls to our office are Township related. We either provide the information or direct the caller to the appropriate department. We have written letters of support for the Township for several grants for which they have applied.
The youth mentoring program was full steam ahead in 2009. Our members volunteered to open their businesses up to local high school students through short and long term internships and job shadowing. It was a rewarding experience for all participants.
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RIBBON CUTTINGS
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 We arranged and officiated at many ribbon cuttings throughout the year. We coordinate these for our members with the Mayor and Council offices.
On October 20th we celebrated the grand opening of Good Friend Electric's new location at 534 Brick Blvd.
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Brick Chamber Chamber News Home
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