Westfield Area Chamber of Commerce

Serving the community for nearly 60 years

By Barbara J. Goldstein

In April 1948, a charter group made up of 29 concerned businessmen and women voluntarily met for the first time and called themselves the Westfield Business Association (WBA). The purpose of this organization was to create greater opportunities for established businesses within the town, generate new business and to assist in making Westfield a better place in which to live and work. At the first meeting, the WBA decided to hold monthly meetings at the Rialto Theater to discuss
town-wide promotions and concerns. W. B. Cole of the Sports Center was named head of the new business group whose initial plans included acquiring town holiday decorations, taking action on the parking problem and organizing special sales events. Membership quickly rose during the first several years to roughly 80 members and by 1952 the WBA incorporated itself as the Westfield Area Chamber of Commerce (WACC). This was a significant step for the organization because the existence of a local chamber of commerce is good for a business community. Recognition as the Westfield Area Chamber of Commerce provided the organization with “brand awareness” and an identity, which helped it gain acceptance.

The Chamber will celebrate its 60th anniversary in 2008. It is one of the largest chambers in Union County along with Gateway Regional, Elizabeth and Union. Over the last six decades, WACC has continued to serve the town of Westfield in several capacities. According to executive director/president Allison O’Hara, “Westfield Area Chamber of Commerce is an organization of businesses that have banded together to undertake programs that are in the best interests of its members as well as the community. Its primary function is to provide a forum for the exchange of ideas and information among local business people in the retail, industry, commercial and professional fields. By joining the WACC, you have the opportunity to meet potential clients and customers, and expand your network of contacts. Besides community outreach, the Chamber organizes meetings for its members to share ideas on current business topics such as taxes, health insurance and zoning laws. The WACC serves as the business community’s watchdog and representative on the local, state and federal government levels.”

Today, the WACC is proud to represent over 300 members from Westfield, Mountainside, Garwood, Clark, Scotch Plains and several other towns. Chamber events include monthly networking activities such as “Eight Minute Meetings” and business development with partners that include the Small Business Association (SBA), Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and SCORE. We also sponsor two street festivals, a farmers’ market and an annual awards dinner.

Membership is open to all businesses in Westfield and the surrounding towns. Member benefits and services also include promotion of your business in our membership directory and on our website, invitations to participate in all Chamber activities, and a monthly newsletter.”

A Board of Directors governs the WACC. A nominating committee made up of current Board members chooses the Board of Directors. The Board consists of anywhere from 11-15 officers each elected to a three-year term. The Board is diversified with representation from all areas of business (e.g. finance, accounting, retail). Unlike
most chamber of commerce executive directors, O’Hara is in a very unique position. Not only is she a paid employee hired by the Board to run the Chamber but she also has a vote on Board. “ I take a very hands on approach, says O’Hara. “I try connecting people with other people to provide opportunities for businesses to grow and expand. It’s very satisfying when members report back to me on their positive experiences from joint business ventures.”

“The Chamber’s monthly luncheon ‘Eight Minute Meeting’ is one of the most popular networking events we do, says O’Hara. “Based on the speed dating premise, business people can talk together one-on one for several minutes and then one group of people will switch places to have a new person to speak with one-on-one. This event is held at Shackamaxen Country Club in Scotch Plains. The average turnout is usually 20-40 members. We partner with Suburban Chambers of Commerce which allows our members to attend their monthly first Friday networking breakfast. WACC also holds monthly Business After Hours Speaker Forum Workshops where we invite prominent business people to be guest speakers. They present relevant information on timely subjects and address concerns our members have regarding their businesses.”

“We provide monthly membership mailings of upcoming Chamber activities along with flyers about promotions or special discounts to members from other business members. WACC members can access our website, which features a calendar of Chamber and area events. The WACC Membership Directory is up-dated daily on the website, published yearly and sent out to the entire membership.”

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