Westfield Area Chamber of Commerce

Serving the community for nearly 60 years

By Barbara J. Goldstein

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In April and November, the WACC, along with seven or eight other local chambers, hosts a Business to Business TableTop Expo where members rent tables to display their products and services. It is free to the public. April’s Expo was held at Summit Grand Hotel and the November Expo will be held at Union High School. Both events provide excellent networking opportunities. For information about becoming a WACC member, participating in or just attending any of the WACC events you can contact
the Chamber at 908-233-3021 or visit their website at www.westfieldchamber.com.

The Chamber’s two largest events of the year are Spring Fling and FestiFall street festivals held in April and Sept. respectively. Chamber members get a discount on booths to showcase their services or products. Each festival features over 300 local and out-of-town vendors including the finest regional arts & crafts, jewelry, local restaurants showcasing great food, several radio stations doing live broadcasts and free giveaways as well as live entertainment suitable for the entire family. These festivals usually attract over 50,000 people to downtown Westfield.

Currently, WACC sponsors the Westfield Gift Coin, which is valued at $25. It is redeemable at over 100 participating stores in town. Over the next year or so, this coin will be replaced with the Westfield Gift Card. Instead of getting cash back like under the coin system, the new card will operate like any other gift card. You can purchase them for any dollar amount and it can only be used within town at participating stores. The purpose of this new system is to promote and retain business in town.

The Chamber also sponsors the Westfield Farmers’ Market. It is open every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. July through October in the South Avenue Train Station lot. Come enjoy the best “New Jersey Fresh” produce, fine baked goods and much more.

For more than 20 years the WACC has held its Faith in Westfield Annual Awards Dinner which celebrates outstanding members of the Westfield Area Community. Each year the Chamber honors four outstanding individuals and/or businesses that have shown the most support to other members, the Chamber’s prosperity or to the community during the past year. The awards are Business of the Year, Employee of the Year, Outstanding Community Service and Guest of Honor or Lifetime Achievement. Applications for award nominations are sent to the entire membership. Members nominate fellow business people whom they feel have met the criteria for
each award. The Board of Directors reviews the applications, chooses and notifies the winners. Last year, Stuart’s Audio Visual won Business of the Year for 2005.

Dr. Ted Scholesberg, executive director/founder of NJ Workshop for the Arts has been a Chamber member for 20 years. “We are a premiere teaching school for the fine and performing arts, says Dr. Scholesberg. “We began as a five-week summer program and evolved into a year round school. We help students develop a deep appreciation for all types of music and offer instruction in various musical instruments. We also offer dance and theater classes. Our staff consists of professionals who have worked in theater and have varied musical backgrounds. Being a Chamber member gives us the opportunity to share how the fine arts can enrich the lives of the
community through our participation at the street festivals and other community events.”

Neil Sullivan, current treasurer for WACC and president of Westfield Mortgage has been a member of the Chamber for five years. “I joined because I feel the WACC plays an important role in the community and provides an outlet for businesses to work together. The Chamber is a wonderful resource for networking and serves as a business advocate on behalf of its membership. You can always contact the Chamber for references on potential business associates or use the website to post your business and find other members who might need your products or services.”

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