Hackensack Regional Chamber of Commerce

Serving Northern New Jersey

In this issue: Letter From The President First Two Patients Successfully Complete New Pediatric Oncology Immunotherapy Program Offered at Hackensack University Medical Center First Annual Summer Kickoff Sangria Event Community Partnership Committee The Holley Child Care & Development Center Networking Event The Hackensack Regional Chamber of Commerce 2018 Distinguished Citizens Awards & Gala Hackensack 2018...The buzz has begun! The Value of a Business Plan Hatchet Throwing to Support Scholarships

JUNE 23, 2014 LAST UPDATED: MONDAY, JUNE 23, 2014, 11:03 AM BY JENNIFER VAZQUEZ NEWS EDITOR HACKENSACK CHRONICLE SOUTH HACKENSACK - The Hackensack Regional Chamber of Commerce courted South Hackensack to join the organization - saying the move would be beneficial for the township as it moves forward with its economic development efforts. "Our vision is to create a large chamber of commerce across the region where we are all connected....strengthening the business community...foster and build relationships and develop the economic well-being for the region," Kevin Konovitch, co-director of the chamber, said during the South Hackensack Township work session on June 5. Lodi, Garfield, Saddle Brook, Bogota and Hackensack are among a number of municipalities that currently form part of the Chamber. "We are also talking to Rochelle Park, we are talking to South Hackensack...and Teterboro," Konovitch said. Fellow co-director David Hollenback, who is also the PSE&G regional public affairs manager, contends that South Hackensack's location is prime to it joining the chamber, particularly since the township does not have its own. "You have a great business community and we thought it would make a perfect fit because the Hackensack Regional Chamber is in the county seat. You are so close. I think it would be a good mix," he said. Being that South Hackensack is in the middle of finalizing its Department of Economic Development, the proposal to join the Chamber comes at an opportune time. "I think it's the perfect timing that we come before you and talk about you being in the Chamber because we can do the things...you are busy taking care of the community and the residents," Hollenback said. "You have a lot on your plate. There is a lot that a chamber of Hackensack's size can bring to the business community that you can offer them." Hollenback said the events that the organization hosts will be beneficial to South Hackensack business owners, especially when it comes to networking. "What does South Hackensack have for our businesses to move in here and bring ratables - which we all want," Hollenback asked. "The Hackensack Chamber can bring you networking. We have different seminars on how to run businesses we can tie them into different banks for lending opportunities and so forth and the list goes on." Chamber President Anthony Ursillo, who owns Ursillo Realty, contended the same."We are very pleased to be here and we would like it very much if you considered joining with us," Ursillo said, adding the opportunity will allow for South Hackensack to grow. "We have a lot of different events that you will all enjoy." According to Ursillo, there are approximately 300 members that form part of the Chamber. Aside from many events and organized gatherings, members can sit in at the Chamber's monthly meetings and are provided with access to a website. "There is a website we have," Konovitch said. "The intention is to have for all the towns that come under the umbrella of the Hackensack Regional Chamber... a town page. There will be a South Hackensack page that will provide information about the town. Obviously, anyone that joins from South Hackensack will have access as a member to that website. They'll be able to see what is going on with other towns, join the membership directory, there's a blog on there, membership discounts. So it really does add value to any company or business." Furthermore, the Chamber is part of a consortium - which allows for additional networking opportunities. "Part if the Inter Chamber Consortium which consists of a number of chambers in Bergen, Essex and Passaic counties...so there a lot of opportunities to foster business across the region. All the towns are so close together," Konovitch said. The membership fees were briefly touched upon when Ursillo said the Chamber tries to make all events affordable. "We are not very expensive, we are not a pie in the sky. We try to make everything very affordable," Ursillo said. According to the Chamber's website, fees are contingent on the number of employees a business has. Committee member Vincent Stefano, who was instrumental in spearheading the creation of an economic development department within the township, said he would like to see South Hackensack become part of the Chamber. According to Stefano, the organization fits the overall mission of what the township wants to do with its economic development plans. "I think it would be great," he said. "We have a lot of big business industries...we don't have much retail here."Ursillo stressed that if South Hackensack decides to join the Chamber, the benefits will be two-way. "We'll share, we'll learn more, we'll do more and we'll be a better community," he said. Discussions pertaining to the topic will take place at a later day. Email: [email protected] See more at: http://www.northjersey.com/news/business/township-asked-to-join-local-chamber-1.1038568?page=all

JUNE 24, 2014 LAST UPDATED: TUESDAY, JUNE 24, 2014, 9:40 AM BY KRISTIE CATTAFI STAFF WRITER COMMUNITY NEWS (GARFIELD EDITION) The city council has endorsed the Hackensack Regional Chamber of Commerce and encourages small businesses in the city to join. The mayor and council endorsed the Hackensack Regional Chamber of Commerce at its June 9 council meeting. The last time the city had a chamber of commerce to offer to business owners was 10 years ago. Members of the Hackensack Regional Chamber of Commerce gave a presentation at the June 9 work session meeting of the mayor and council. Mayor Joseph Delaney said with the redevelopment, growth and new businesses moving into the city, this is a great opportunity. "They have the time and commitment to have a chamber like this," he said. "This is the perfect opportunity for Garfield to get a chamber back in town." The Hackensack Regional Chamber of Commerce provides an organization that is ready to assist the businesses in the Garfield. The mayor and council passed a resolution endorsing the Hackensack Regional Chamber of Commerce. Councilman Frank Calandriello added as a small business owner he thinks having a chamber of commerce is essential to the city. See more at: http://www.northjersey.com/news/business/hackensack-chamber-endorsed-by-city-1.1040418

May was a special month for Hallak Cleaners. They celebrated their fiftieth anniversary with a celebratory open house event at each of the two retail locations: Bergen County and Manhattan. Guests were invited to listen to some sounds of the sixties and join in the festivities. They were greeted at the door with champagne and light refreshments. Catering was provided by Di Bari’s Foods and Caterers in River Vale, New Jersey. My Daughter’s Cakes whipped up delicious cupcakes and cake pops for our dessert station; they are located in Dumont, New Jersey. At each event, three winners were chosen at random; each door prizes included a $500 gift card towards dry cleaning. Hallak Cleaners was born out of one man’s uncompromising dream of creating a dry cleaning service that would rise so far above the pervasive mediocrity in the industry as to make it virtually unrecognizable. Joseph Hallak, Sr. – a native of Marseilles- started from the most humble of beginnings and worked tirelessly to realize that dream. Today, sons – John-Claude and Joe, Jr. – follow in their father’s footsteps. Hallak continues to be one of the nation’s leading couture dry cleaners. For additional information on Hallak Cleaners, please call (212) 832-0750 or visit www.hallak.com. About Hallak Cleaners: Hallak Cleaners is a family-owned couture dry cleaner. Hallak Cleaners is well known in the Metropolitan area for their specialized services including couture, suede & leather, custom interior furnishings and wedding gown services. Hallak Cleaners offers complimentary pickup and delivery in Manhattan, Bergen County, Westchester and Greenwich.

Congratulations to Excalibur Systems on their 30-year anniversary. Cliff Cook is the owner of Excalibur where they focus on bringing cost effective IT solutions to businesses to solve problems and achieve competitive advantages. On June 7 members of the Chamber and customers of Excalibur celebrated the milestone together. Excalibur is located at 160 Market St., in Saddle Brook and can be reached at 201-226-0900.