This year is the culmination of a time that presented all of us with many unique challenges. Those challenges were present for us at the MSMP Chamber of Commerce. With a team effort of hard work and determination to keep this Chamber ongoing we can look back at 2021 and truly say that we had a very full and successful year.
January – February – we had a complete turnover in our board of directors. Once regrouped we decided that we were going to make our Chamber better than ever. We hired our new webmaster, Bob Torella from BAT Consulting to completely redesign and update our website. We now have an interactive website that is always chock full of current and resourceful information.
February – We had our first monthly Zoom meeting with a Valentine’s Day theme. We had a terrific turnout with lots of lively conversation. One of our lucky members also won “Lotto Love” prize at the end of the meeting.
March – We worked diligently on our new website with the projected launching date to open it up to our members for April. We also worked on developing our Loyalty Discount Card program, that benefits our members and the public who patronizes their businesses. We will be extending the use of the 2021 cards until the Summer of 2022.
April – The theme for this month was “Spring Awakening”. Our Member of the Month, Agway donated a plant to every member who attended out Zoom meeting that month. We were also able to timely launch our new website.
May – Loyalty Discount Card was launched. We were happy to be able to return to our first live meeting since Fall of 2020 at Amici’s Restaurant in Mt Sinai. We also launched our Monthly Chamber Member Spotlight. The member of the month gets to speak at our monthly meeting and promote their business. Their business gets special billing on our website and they have the opportunity to promote themselves and their business. Many times, this has been in synch with when we are hosting a meeting at their business site.
June – We were proud to host our annual Scholarship event right here at Willow Creek. We were given the task to pour through dozens of applications from MSHS & MPHS best of the best seniors. Our 2 winners one from each HS, each received a $500 Scholarship for their continuing education. These awards are possible by all of you when you purchase 50/50 and silent auction raffles. All the proceeds go directly to our Scholarship Fund.
July – We joined to become a sponsor of the Heritage Trust in MS. This now opened opportunities for the Chamber to have a presence at all of their events. We had tables with literature, toys and raffles at the 2 summer concerts that they held. Both days had beautiful weather with great turnouts. We also attended one of the movie nights.
August – We had our first Luau at Cedar Beach. For the first time we welcomed residents of the community in addition to our business members. We had a beautiful night at the beach, with delicious food prepared by our BOD, summer music and games. It was a huge success.
September – “Back to Business” was our theme at our monthly meeting at Recipe 7 in MP. We had 2 speakers. A representative from PSE&G educated our members on grants available to their business and CardEvo, one of our new members discussed the value of their services. Much networking transpired during this meeting, and it was also a great success for all.
October – We were happy to have our first ribbon cutting ceremony in over 2 years. Paper Planes ELC in MS, was forced to delay their ribbon cutting due to COVID. So instead, we celebrated their one-year anniversary on Halloween weekend. Maria Ahern’s staff and families came out in all their Halloween best. It truly was fun for all!
November – We hosted our first Chamber Breakfast Meeting at one of our newest member’s restaurant. Flying Pig Café in MP gave us a choice of 3 delicious breakfast options and those in attendance had engaging conversation. This was a chance for those who cannot normally attend our evening meetings to come and see all that we have to offer.
December – We hosted our Annual Holiday Gala at Willow Creek in Mt. Sinai. We had a beautiful evening with great food, live DJ entertainment, games, and raffles. It was a terrific way to celebrate our Chamber for the year end!
Our Chamber is comprised of hard-working volunteers who are constantly working on ways to connect its members to the community and vice versa. We offer our members a tremendous platform in which to promote their businesses. We offer networking, advertising, Member of the Month perks and our Loyalty Discount Card Program to promote their place in our community. We offer our community opportunities to connect and support our wonderful members who offer goods, services, and eateries in our area. We are always looking for our members and community to support us in our endeavors by supporting local and volunteering your time to us in a variety of ways. More community involvement is imperative if we are to sustain our Chamber.
Teamwork makes the dream work!
Best wishes for a safe and prosperous year ahead.
Holly Bottiglieri – President
Mount Sinai Miller Place Chamber Alliance
