Councilmember Kornreich, Jennifer Dzonar and Supervisor Romaine. Photo from PJS/Terryville Chamber of Commerce
Colette Frey-Bitzas, third from left, with members of the Three Village Chamber of Commerce and Councilmember Kornreich. Photo from Councilmember Kornreich's office
Jennifer Dzvonar, second from right, with members of the PJS/Terryville Chamber of Commerce and Councilmember Jonathan Kornreich. Photo from PJS/Terryville Chamber of Commerce
Supervisor Romaine with PJCC Chamber of Commerce Director of Operations, Barbara Ransome, Meadow Club owner Indu Kaur and Councilmember Jonathan Kornreich. Photo from Councilmember Kornreich's office
From left, Councilmember Jonathan Kornreich with Colette Frey-Bitzas.
Barbara Ransome
On April 26, Brookhaven Town Supervisor Ed Romaine and Councilmember Jonathan Kornreich attended the 22nd annual Brookhaven Chambers of Commerce Coalition (BCCC) Awards Night at the Meadow Club in Port Jefferson Station.
Established in 1992, the Brookhaven Chambers of Commerce Coalition represents more than 16 chambers in the Town of Brookhaven. The awards reception honors members that represent the values and mission of the coalition.
During the evening, Brookhaven Town chamber members were recognized by the Supervisor and Councilmember for their service to the business community. In addition to running their own businesses, members share the understanding that small businesses provide jobs to thousands of people and help create a sense of place in the community.
“Congratulations to all the award recipients. This recognition of service to the business community is well deserved, especially after the difficulties brought on by the pandemic. Small business was hit hard, but now it’s their time to rebound and get back to business as usual,” said Supervisor Romaine.
“I was so proud to see our own Jennifer Dzvonar from the Port Jefferson Station/Terryville Chamber of Commerce; James Luciano from the Port Jefferson Chamber of Commerce and Colette Frey-Bitzas from the Three Village Chamber of Commerce be nominated as members of the year,” said Councilmember Kornreich.
“The town wide winner was our very own Jen Dzvonar. Thank you, Jen and all our Chamber members for everything you do to make Council District 1 a great place to live and do business. Special thanks to Indu Kaur for hosting the event at the elegant Meadow Club, and a shoutout to Barbara Ransome for running a great event,” he added.
Business people know the power of networking; the power of connecting face-to-face with potential clients, partners, and mentors. While the Miller Center at the Middle Country Public Library has been offering virtual networking for the business community since the pandemic began, nothing beats connecting face to face. Which is why they are excited to be hosting Strictly Business: Back to Business outdoors and in person on Tuesday, June 8.
Strictly Business. Photo by Miranda Gatewood
Sal DiVincenzo of the Miller Business Center acknowledges the struggles of the local small business community. “Networking is the lifeblood of small businesses. The opportunity to personally interact with potential customers is something every salesperson knows is fundamental to building business and relationships. The pandemic literally put barriers between customers and businesses.”
The Director of the library, Sophia Serlis-McPhillips continued this sentiment. “The mission of the library’s Miller Business Center has always been to promote economic development on Long Island. This mission has been continuing virtually for more than a year. We are happy to bring business owners and professionals together again at the in-person Strictly Business.”
An initiative of the Middle Country Library Foundation and held in partnership with the Greater Middle Country Chamber of Commerce and the Brookhaven Chambers of Commerce Coalition (BCCC), Strictly Business is a vehicle to promote economic development and encourage chamber of commerce participation in Brookhaven and the surrounding areas.
“More than ten years ago the BCCC wanted to give back more to the small businesses they represented in the Town of Brookhaven.With this initiative, they collaborated with the Miller Business Center to create Strictly Business. Over time this annual event has grown with more vendors and networking opportunities for our business partners,” says Barbara Ransome, BCCC President.
Participants missed having this opportunity last year and response to the announcement of an in-person event has been overwhelmingly positive.Many of the businesses that signed up to exhibit in 2020 were eager to be a part of the event and there is even a waitlist to exhibit.
Lenore Paprocky, president of the Greater Middle Country Chamber of Commerce noted, “I know a lot of business owners are excited about meeting in person.” She continued that they are looking most forward to “re-connecting and networking with other local businesses and the community.”
Attendees to this free event will have the opportunity to meet and network with 50 exhibitors made up of a wide-array of local businesses and entrepreneurs. While primarily a business-to-business networking opportunity, the community is encouraged to attend and shop local as a way to support the small business community. There will be photo ops throughout the day and a chance to win a raffle prize.
“The BCCC is grateful to support the Miller Center, that acts as an essential resource for our most important commodity … small businesses,” said Ransome.
Discover local businesses at the Strictly Business: Back to Business event at the Middle Country Public Library, 101 Eastwood Blvd, Centereach on June 8 (rain date June 15) from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. For further information, call 631-585-9393
Participating exhibitors:
Strictly Business. Photo by Miranda Gatewood
Venture Sponsor
Flushing Bank
Entrepreneur Sponsor
Synergy Wealth Strategies
Mentor Sponsor
Pure Mammography
Partner Sponsors
Campolo, Middleton & McCormick, LLP
Holiday Inn Express – Stony Brook
SafeGuard Print & Promo
Media Sponsor
Times Beacon Record News Media
Anchor Business Group, LLC
Bay Harbour Insurance Agency
BESTech Education
Bridgeport & Port Jefferson Steamboat Co.
Brookhaven Chamber of Commerce Coalition
Burner Law Group, P.C.
CardHop Inc.
Caring People Home Health Care
CBMS Consulting Services
Central Staff Services
Conference Associates Inc.
Emics Elder Care
Greater Middle Country Chamber of Commerce
Independent Business Women’s Circle
Insight Healing and Wellness
Integrity Expediting
iRUN…
Island Federal
LeTip Port Jefferson
LI Tech Advisors
Lisa Albinowski, Realtor, Coldwell Banker
Manantial Cleaning Services, Inc.
Miller Business Center
Moxxie
My Mom Knows Best, Inc.
North Isle Wellness Center of Hope
OB Davis Funeral Home
Peconic Landing
People’s Alliance Federal Credit Union
Pete Marcano – New York Life
ProSysCon Computers
Rocket Juiced Studio
Ronkonkoma Chamber of Commerce
Soundview Pregnancy Services
Stay Clean Long Island
Suffolk County Women’s Business Enterprise Coalition
