Lacey Chamber of Commerce Focuses on Growth for 2012

The Lacey Chamber of Commerce is making big strides in 2012 as four new officers were sworn in and new members were welcomed at its first meeting of the new year.

“Ultimately the goal is growth,” President James Spaloss of ConvexSERV Technology Solutions, LLC  said.

Spaloss was sworn in along with Vice-President John Cafiero of Axis Builders, LLC, Treasurer Laura Doherty of PNC Bank and Secretary Ruth Feeney also from ConvexSERV.

“We want to keep going on the same cue,” Spaloss said.

Along with some backend changes like making enhancements to the Chamber’s website and cleaning up the new office space at the Worden House, the focus for 2012 is on growth and success, he said.

At the Thursday night meeting, the two-year-old chamber of commerce sought the advice of Ginny Melchiondo, President of the Barnegat Chamber of Commerce.

“Barnegat has a pretty successful chamber,” Spaloss said. “We want to learn what they did right and what the benefits are.”

When the Barnegat Chamber first began in the 1990s, membership was low. Up until 2002, there were 45 members. Then they began knocking on doors and grew to 156 members, Melchiondo said.

They created “Welcome to Barnegat” signs with advertising space and held events such as street fairs, a town-wide yard sale, pet day, Pirates Day, a farmer’s market and an angel tree for the local food pantry.

The events showcase the municipality as “friendly,” which bring people back, Melchiondo said.

“We try to be diverse,” she said. “Some things work and some things don’t.”

A partnership between the two chambers can prove to be beneficial as well, she said. “It helps when we all work together.”

A partnership with the township is also important to hold larger events, she said.

Politics don’t belong in the chamber but a solid relationship with the township is necessary for a successful one, said Jeff Melchiondo, former mayor of Barnegat and current committeeman.

“Your township is important to your chamber, politics is not,” he said.

At the end of the year, the Barnegat Chamber makes a donation to the service organizations in town, she said. “We’re constantly giving back to the community.”

Upcoming for the Lacey Chamber

The Lacey Chamber of Commerce will be kicking off 2012 with a comedy fundraiser at the Longshots Sports Bar and Restaurant in Waretown on Feb. 11. Dinner is at 6 p.m. and the show starts at 7 p.m.

Admission is $20 per person for dinner and a show. There will be a cash bar. All proceeds will benefit the Lacey Chamber Scholarship Fund for high school seniors.

The Chamber is also exploring a movie night and a Lacey consumer business expo.

The township gave the Chamber space in the Worden House temporarily free of charge, Cafiero said.

Although it needs some cleaning, painting and minor renovations, Cafiero envisions it as a future full-time “Welcome Center” for the township.

“That’s my dream,” he said.

The Lacey Chamber of Commerce was founded in 2009 and is a network of local businesses that support and promote each other while striving to improve Lacey’s business climate.

The next meeting is 7 p.m. on Feb. 8 at the Captain’s Inn. At each meeting, the chamber welcomes first time attendees and new members.

Spaloss called the Chamber a “grassroots advertising method.”

“[The Chamber] is the most cost effective advertising you can get,” Spaloss said. “You get to know local businesses first hand and we all give referrals.”