Hunterdon County Chamber of Commerce

HUNTERDON COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

ESTABLISHED IN 1916, WHAT IS NOW THE HUNTERDON COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE SET OUT TO SUPPORT A PRO-BUSINESS CLIMATE AND ITS EXISTING BUSINESSES IN THE COUNTY. IT IS STILL IN THAT BUSINESS. MUCH HAS CHANGED IN HUNTERDON COUNTY IN 100+ YEARS, YET THE COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE CONTINUES IN THE FOREFRONT OF COUNTY AND REGIONAL BUSINESS.

Today’s Hunterdon County Chamber of Commerce is much more than a hub of networking. It is a business community focusing on resource development, targeted informational programs, sharing its collective intelligence, advocating on behalf of its business members, and one whose members celebrate excellence and achievement.

Whether it’s connecting business-tobusiness, exploring government relations or providing business and professional development programs, the Chamber is committed to finding the right mix for the various market segments comprising its membership. The Chamber also works countywide to publicize the recreational and other tourist attractions available for visitors, business travelers and county residents who want to discover Hunterdon.

The Hunterdon County Chamber invites its member businesses to participate in creating its own business community. As each company chooses to join the Chamber, it becomes integrated into that community, into the brand. More than 500 companies strong and representing over 15,000 full-time employees, the Chamber endeavors to create meaningful partnerships that enhance the business environment. Each company becomes part of that countywide community by contributing to the direction and decisions of the various committees and task forces, by volunteering with programs and events, by raising collective concerns, by contributing to monthly publications and presenting itself on both the Chamber’s and Hunterdon Tourism’s websites.

It is the task of the board and staff to govern and lead the organization for its members, to represent them, listen and

respond to them and plan for an everexpanding program of work that provides real and practical value in return for an investment of time and money. From advocating, to municipal vitality, to providing general programming, to engaging its vertical marketing (customized interest) groups, the Chamber serves as a collective voice for its members where and when it matters.

The Hunterdon County Chamber of Commerce welcomes you, your business, your employees, and your ideas. It is, after all, the businesses of the region that make up who and what the Chamber is and does. On behalf of the Board of Directors, staff and fellow business colleagues, you are invited to participate in creating a balanced, pro-business environment toward the creation of a sustainable business future for Hunterdon County.

ECONOMIC AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

This division collaborates with state, county, municipal governments, educational and regional leaders to build ongoing and lasting alliances with common goals for enhancing the regions prosperity. Working closely with the Hunterdon County Economic Development Division, business retention and attraction are an important function of the two groups.

ADVANCING HUNTERDON

Advancing Hunterdon engages businesses within and throughout the county that are responsive to a call-to-action as the next chapter in business success in Hunterdon County. The core ideal of Advancing Hunterdon is that every business, both large and small, is connected to Hunterdon County’s economic picture and future.

ADVOCACY

The Chamber acts as the voice of business, representing more than 15,000 employees from member corporations and organizations. Through our Business and Government Committee we work to develop and implement policy on major issues affecting business. Our organization has one overarching mission—to strengthen the competitiveness of the Hunterdon County and regional economy.

WOMEN’S BUSINESS FORUM & SUMMIT

Statistically, women face unique challenges in the business community. The Women’s Business Forum seeks to support female entrepreneurs to ensure success in their respective industries. The committee seeks to identify and target key issues facing women in the business world today. An annual Leadership Summit is held, bringing together prominent figures for productive dialogue and educational talks.

YOUNG PROFESSIONALS

The Young Professionals of Hunterdon connects like-minded young professionals, entrepreneurs, business owners, and community leaders together to provide opportunities for community involvement along with professional growth and development through business mentors and speakers from all levels of business. We are active in the community volunteering for non-profit groups and charities as well as participating in both our own networking events and the chamber at large.

Our mission is to create mutually beneficial long-term business relationships among our members, the members of the Hunterdon County Chamber of

Commerce, surrounding non-profit and charitable organizations, as well as all of Hunterdon County and beyond.

LEGISLATIVE DIVISION EMPLOYER-LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE BREAKFASTS

The Employer-Legislative Committee Breakfasts, conducted in partnership with the NJBIA, NJ State Chamber, Opportunity NJ, and the US Chamber, host legislators for a dialogue with local business owners. Participants are allowed to ask individual, business-specific questions and establish contact with policy and law makers.

MEMBERSHIP DIVISION MEMBERSHIP DEVELOPMENT

Each member strengthens the Chamber’s overall voice and impact on behalf of all members and all businesses. Utilizing contacts and engaging circles of influence builds both individual and collective business imprimatur. Therefore, the Chamber strives continually to retain and grow its membership.

HUNTERDON COUNTY COMMUNITY DAY

With the presence of many of the county’s twenty-six municipalities, non-profits, military group demonstrators, and various contests all comprise the activity at the Hunterdon County Community Day. Local businesses also attend and showcase their wares and services. The festivities are joined by exciting events for families such as a reptile show and petting zoo.

ANNUAL BUSINESS EXPO AND FOOD SHOWCASE

Entering its 30th year, this trade show style event brings together community and businesses to showcase the wide range of industries in the region. Featuring over 100 vendors and drawing crowds of more than 2,000, this is a marquee event for the Chamber and its members.

ANNUAL GOLF CLASSIC

This popular event provides an informal setting for members to interact and enjoy a day of golf. A lunch reception is provided and can be attended by those who do not wish to golf. Employees and executives alike represent their companies proudly at this event.

HUNTERDON HOLIDAY PARADE

Having its origin in the turn of the last century, the Hunterdon Holiday Parade is a holiday-filled celebration throughout downtown Flemington. The Hunterdon County Chamber of Commerce is proud to continue its long and vibrant history. Every year bands, firetrucks, and marchers alike all take to the streets for a parade filled with holiday cheer.

ADDITIONAL CHAMBER PROGRAMS & EVENTS

The Chamber provides ongoing opportunities for the business community to engage in both monthly and annual events throughout the year. Some of these opportunities include our: Annual Meeting, Card Clubs, Leads Exchanges, Chamber Breakfast and Lunch Programs, Educational Workshops, Business Briefings, Hunterdon County Business Awards and numerous other offerings.

HUNTERDON COUNTY’S VITALITY IS EVERYONE’S BUSINESS.

HUNTERDON CHAMBER RADIO

The Hunterdon County Chamber of Commerce launched Hunterdon Chamber Radio in 2012 and is the only Chamber in the world with a 24-hour internet radio station. Each radio show is also broadcast live on Facebook Live. A dedicated group of Chamber members host hour-long segments on a wide variety of topics from 8 AM to 6 PM Monday through Friday at the lead of Chris Bianco, General Manager of Hunterdon Chamber Radio. The goal of HunterdonChamberRadio.com is to provide a platform for our members to not only promote their respective businesses, but also to become a true community resource. When you listen to our hosts, you hear the passion they share for their respective industries. Hunterdon Chamber Radio is chamber members serving you.

TOURISM AND MARKETING VISIT HUNTERDON COUNTY

The Chamber maintains the county’s tourism presence through its website and social media platforms. Thousands of residents and tourists alike follow along on Facebook for the events and happenings across the county. Whether you’re interested in a summer music series, a day trip to a wine trail or an apple picking excursion, Hunterdon County has it all and the Chamber brings it to your fingertips with its tourism initiative.

HEALTHY HUNTERDON HEALTHY HUNTERDON WORKFORCE INITIATIVE

The initiative is a friendly competition to encourage a culture of health in the

business community. A healthy employee leads to higher morale, lower absenteeism, higher productivity, and an improved bottom line. By creating some friendly competition between businesses, it helps to lead to healthier employees across the board.

CHAMBER FOUNDATION HUNTERDON COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE FOUNDATION

The Hunterdon County Chamber of Commerce Foundation, established in 2014, exists to promote, support and fund initiatives that enhance opportunities for leadership, education, economic, and workforce development. The Hunterdon County Chamber of Commerce Foundation will be a model for innovation and excellence that impacts a healthy sustainable business environment for the region. The Foundation has completed the renovation of the historic Large House as the new location of the Hunterdon County Chamber of Commerce.

The Foundation has established the Unity Bank Center for Business & Entrepreneurship which will partner with other businesses and educational institutions to provide programs, services and initiatives that will benefit the greater community. The Center is a place of collaboration for the Business Community to house critical services for existing businesses and cultivate entrepreneurship. It will also work with state, county, educational, and local resources to partner and provide programs and services that support our existing business community. In addition, the Foundation supports Economic Development, and Leadership Hunterdon.

LEADERSHIP HUNTERDON

Leadership Hunterdon, a program initiated in 2012 by the Hunterdon County Chamber of Commerce, was created to transform people to become trustees of our communities, to become leadership resources and work for the betterment of Hunterdon County.

One of the goals for participants in Leadership Hunterdon is to develop strong leadership qualities within their respective organizations. Individuals are able to enhance their decision making and strategic thinking and acquire in-depth exposure to Hunterdon County business leaders, community leaders, non-profit leaders, and political leadership. The class is made up of individuals from local businesses and non-profit organizations who have a passion to learn about Hunterdon County as well as themselves. For nine months, the class becomes immersed in a “behind-thescenes” overview of Hunterdon County that explores the many facets that shape the current make-up of the county.