Posted Monday, February 1, 2010 by admin

Our next General Meeting will be on Tuesday February 9th at 7:00 pm at the Islip Middle School Library. Representatives will be on hand from a variety of Organizations to talk about the Summer Programs for kids K-17 years old that are available.

2009 Islip Main Street Festival Announced

Posted Thursday, January 15, 2009 by Tom

The Islip Chamber of Commerce is excited to announce the date of our 2009 Main Street Festival. The event will be held on Sunday, May 3. This year's event will be combined with the Islip Town Anti-Bias Task Force Unity Day Celebration. This cooperative effort will help bring more folks to the Festival and will also highlight Unity Day. In addition to the Chamber's normal entertainment schedule which will run, as usual, at the east end of the festival, there will be a series of multi-cultural performances and events at the west end of the festival. More info to come. Stay tuned.

January Meeting Recap

Posted Thursday, January 15, 2009 by Tom

At our January meeting, Islip Councilman Steve Flotteron presided over the swearing in of our new officers for 2009. Congratulations to our new president, Angela Parisi and all new Board members. Guest Speakers were Eric Simons, a financial planning professional specializing in working with women. He presented the challenges and opportunities for women in handling the financial planning process. Also on hand was Islip Schools Superintendent Susan Schnebel to discuss the NY State ExCEL project, a capital project initiative/grant designed to improve district facilities & technology. There will be an informational session at the Islip Middle School on January 29 at 7:30pm. Acceptance of this grant is contingent on a district-wide vote to be held on February 10.

Islip Chamber Holds First Ever Presidential Debate!

Posted Tuesday, October 21, 2008 by Tom

With a record crowd in attendance, the Islip Chamber of Commerce hosted its first ever presidential debate on October 14. Both Phil Boyle and Mark Cronin were very well spoken and informative. They answered a myriad of questions ranging from taxes and the economy, to the environment, to international aid, and education. Refreshments were graciously provided by Manhattan Sweets. And the folks at Islip Schools were kind enough to let us go past our usual 9pm limit. Thanks to Mark and Phil for their representation of Senator Obama and Senator McCain respectively and to everyone in attendance for making the night a huge success.

Islip Chamber Announces First Ever Presidential Debate!

Posted Tuesday, September 16, 2008 by Tom

The Islip Chamber of Commerce is excited to host our first ever presidential debate on Tuesday, October 14, 2008 at 7pm at the Islip Middle School library room. The auditorium in the same school has been reserved in the event of overflow. All members, friends and families are welcome. Representing John McCain will be Assemblyman Phil Boyle, who is McCain's Long Island Campaign Coordinator. Representing Barack Obama will be Mark Cronin who is Obama's Long Island Grass Roots Coordinator. Questions should be submitted in advance of the meeting to: info@islipchamberofcommerce.com Both "candidates" will make opening statements and then answer questions. Time permitting, we will take limited questions from the floor. Said Chamber President Tom Cilmi, "We're thrilled to be able to host this event. So many of us are undecided as to who will bring the right sort of change to our Country. This will give the campaigns an opportunity to not only discuss what change means to them, but also to answer questions about how their candidate's presidency will impact our lives locally." For information on this and other Chamber events, email: info@islipchamberofcommerce.com.

Senator Owen Johnson's Small Business Networing Expo

Posted Sunday, July 27, 2008 by Tom

Chamber President Tom Cilmi took time to chat about the economy, taxes and energy costs and how small business is being effected at the Senator's Small Business Networking Expo on Wednesday, July 23 at Captain Bill's in Bay Shore.

Islip Chamber of Commerce sets records!!!!

Posted Wednesday, June 4, 2008 by Tom

The Islip Chamber of Commerce is please to announce two records broken: With 227 Members, we have more member than EVER before! With 61 RESIDENT members, we have nearly TWICE the number of resident members as ever. Thank you for your support. Help us reach our goal of 300 members by the end of the year. Tell a friend.

Spotlight for April on Little Shop of Shamrocks

Posted Sunday, April 20, 2008 by Tom

Check another Business Development Initiative off the list! One of those initiatives is a monthly spotlight of a Chamber Business member on Islip.TV. Well, we have our first spotlight currently running. Click on the link below to view a video featuring Linda Low and the Little Shop of Shamrocks. You could be our featured business in May! Just send an email to - info@islipchamberofcommerce.com explaining why you think you deserve the spotlight for May. You may include any special promotions you may be having, or maybe it's your store's anniversary, or maybe you've hit a sales milestone...maybe you just offer a unique product or service that you want to show off. We will select a winner from all the entries. Once made (at no cost to you!) the video will be active forever and accessible on Islip.TV. This is a montly promotion so if you don't win in May, you can re-submit for June. This amounts to free advertising that's even better than a television commercial because it can be viewed at any time by literally hundreds of thousands of potential customers...a benefit worth thousands of dollars, brought to you absolutely free of charge as just one of the benefits to Chamber members. So sit back and enjoy this short video and start planning for yours. Our very special thanks to Waldo Cabrera, owner of Islip.TV for his help with this. Should you have questions about advertising on Islip.TV (outside the bounds of this Chamber benefit), you can reach Waldo at wcabrera@islip.tv. Enjoy http://www.islip.tv/view_video.php?viewkey=24205e1b13f22d60357a

Tom Cilmi attends Alternative Energy Symposium

Posted Sunday, April 20, 2008 by Tom

On Friday, April 18, Chamber President Tom Cilmi attended an Alternative Energy Symposium presented at Dowling College. The conference featured Congressman Steve Israel with distinguished guests from LIPA, Dowling College, the USGBC and New York State. Discussion focused on the need for the continual development and utilization of technologies and programs that promote the use of alternative energies, such as solar, wind, etc. Afterwards, President Cilmi had this to say. "It's great to see that we're engaging in this discussion. As Congressman Israel pointed out, our dependence on foreign oil supplies is absolutely a threat to our national defense. Not only that, but we must look for cleaner ways to drive our economy. So the discussion is a good first step, however, more attention needs to be paid to the greatest obstacle to investment in innovative new technologies and to entrepreneurship which is sorely needed in this realm...that is to say, the high tax rates and over-regulation of businesses here on Long Island. Congressman Israel suggested that a new national agency could address this problem. It is clear, however, that the answers do not lie within the walls of bureaucracy, but rather in the open waters of entrepreneurialism."

Islip Main Street Street Festival

Posted Monday, March 24, 2008 by Tom

Thanks for all of the interest in the Islip Main Street Festival. This year's Festival will be held on Sunday, May 4. If you are a vendor who resides within the Hamlet of Islip (11751 zipcode) or you are a member of the Islip Chamber of Commerce, an application should be posted to this website shortly. If you are not a member of the Chamber and do not reside in the Hamlet of Islip, please go to www.clearviewfestival.com. Thank you.

April 8 Program Focusing on Identity Theft

Posted Friday, March 21, 2008 by Tom

IDentity Theft Awareness Presentation “People whose identities have been stolen can spend months or years - and thousand of dollars - cleaning up the mess the thieves have made of their good name and credit score” -Federal Trade Commission: When Bad Things Happen to Your Good Name, September 2002 It’s no secret: Identity Theft is a major problem in America? Think you’re not at risk? Unfortunately you are. • Do you hand your credit card to servers at restaurants, hotels, gas stations? • Do you supply personal information over the internet, on loan applications, college forms? • Do you keep you Social Security number in your wallet or purse? • Do you leave mail at your home or business for the postal carrier to collect? • Do you shred unwanted mail with personal information? • Do other people ever run your credit report for credit cards, mortgages, loans? • Can you be sure data security is good at companies (doctors’ offices, schools, insurance companies, credit unions, credit card companies) that have your information? Certified Identity Theft Risk Management Specialist Julius Nicoletti will be presenting the: 5 Areas of Identity Theft The Most Common Myths of Identity Theft Steps You Need to Take Immediately to Decrease Your Risk and Protect Yourself Federal Trade Commission Statistics Tuesday, April 8, 2008 7:00 PM Islip Middle School Library 211 Main Street Islip, NY 11751

East Islip Community Chamber Meeting

Posted Thursday, February 28, 2008 by Tom

Islip Chamber President, Tom Cilmi, joined members of the new East Islip Community Chamber last night. "The East Islip Community Chamber is well on their way to what I am sure will be a very successful future, " said Cilmi. "They have some great folks involved from the business community in East Islip.....some good energy and ambition." For more information on the EICC, contact Mike Visgauss at State Farm Insurance in East Islip.

March Meeting Program

Posted Friday, February 15, 2008 by Tom

Our meeting in March will feature, among other things, a presentation by Knowing Point, entitled: ‘Hardwiring ProfitABILITY: Leading Practices that Drive Profitability’. Knowing Point is a consulting firm based in Huntington. The program will focus on how to increase “owner” behaviors in your organization. “Owners” become accountable for impacting profits, measure performance as a guide to improving it and take action to execute ideas. We will share leading best practices known to create more “owners” in your organization. For more information on Knowing Point's services, go to www.knowingpoint.com or www.profitabilityrx.com

Senator Trunzo Announces Small Business Networking & Expo

Posted Thursday, February 7, 2008 by Tom

On Thursday, March 6, Senator Caesar Trunzo will be hosting a Small Business Networking & Expo from 4pm to 7pm at the old LaSalle Academy (now St. Johns University) on Montauk Highway in Oakdale. Representatives from 18 chambers of commerce in the Senator's district will be there. Each of us will have tables set up. Small businesses, be they chamber members or otherwise, are invited. There is no cost to attend. To receive a copy of the invitation, email Islip Chamber of Commerce President, Tom Cilmi: tom@ctlmedia.com

NYS Small Business Development Workshops

Posted Tuesday, February 5, 2008 by Tom

The Small Business Development Center at Farmingdale State College has announced a series of workshops targeted for small business owners. The workshops are in March and cost a very reasonable $15. Check out the schedule at: www.farmingdale.edu/sbdc

2008 Islip Chamber Main Street Festival

Posted Monday, February 4, 2008 by Tom

We have tentatively set the date for this year's Festival for Sunday, May 4. Mark your calendars...Save the Date...Pray for sunshine and warm temps. If you would like to be a Corporate Sponsor, contact Tom Cilmi at 631-581-5306. If you are interested in becoming a vendor for the Festival, keep checking this website. Once the date becomes official, application instructions will be posted.

2008 Chamber Business Development Initiatives!!!

Posted Wednesday, January 23, 2008 by Tom

Chamber President Tom Cilmi and the Board of Directors of the Islip Chamber of Commerce are excited to announce our Ten Business Development Initiatives for 2008. Cilmi said, "While the Chamber has always run community-wide programs and events which indirectly benefit our members, we recognize the need to offer our members benefits that will directly impact their success. So for the first time ever, we have come up with a comprehensive list of various programs to help our members succeed." 1. Grants to make permanent storefront improvements - A limited number of grant(s) will be awarded competitively (amount to be determined) 2. Special advertising rates with local print publications and IslipChamberofCommerce.com 3. Advertising “give-back” program - Reimbursement of a percentage of members’ advertising expenses to be reimbursed 4. The Chamber will open a dialog with the Town of Islip which will hopefully result in a cooperative effort to review and adjust various government processes that effect business opportunities in Islip Hamlet. 5. Islip Business Showcase with Islip.TV - Businesses will be featured monthly as a “Showcase Business” on Islip.TV 6 Chamber member Health Insurance - will pursue group insurance rates for all Chamber members and their employees 7. Chamber member “Shopper Discount Cards” - Plastic cards will be sold at a nominal rate and will offer discounts at participating members 8. Holiday Shopping Program - Chamber will work with businesses to stay open late on key days during the holidays - Chamber will invest in advertising to promote those who participate 9. Member Directory to be produced and available at all member locations 10. Keep Islip Clean Awards Program - Gift certificates will be awarded to those business members succeeding, through the maintenance of their own facilitiy’s exterior, in Keeping Islip Clean. - Gift Certificates will be purchased by the Chamber at any member store of the winner’s choice Plans are currently underway to achieve each of these initiatives this year. Members should continue checking the website for updates. Updates will also be given at our monthly General Meeting.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS

Posted Saturday, January 19, 2008 by Tom

Mark your calendars. These are the meeting dates for the first half of the year. Expect updates and new information regarding our Ten Business Development Initiatives as well as some interesting guest speakers...or just come for some networking. All meetings start at 7pm and will be at the Islip Middle School Library. February 12 March 11 April 8 May 13 June 10

2008 Membership Goal

Posted Friday, January 18, 2008 by Tom

Chamber President Tom Cilmi announced his goal to increase Chamber membership to 300 members by the end of 2008. Current membership is at about 185 members according to Cilmi. "We have introduced some exciting new initiatives for 2008 which will offer direct tangible benefits to our members and we're hopeful that these new programs will inspire some folks to join and get involved."

Chamber Meeting Highlights - January 2008

Posted Thursday, January 17, 2008 by Tom

Our meeting featured a Swearing In Ceremony for new Board members and Officers. Suffolk County Legislator Cameron Alden administered the oath to new Board members, Roseann DeSantis and Angela Parisi, as well as returning member, Geogeanna von Hassel. Officers sworn in were President Tom Cilmi, Vice President Lori Zegel, Treasurer Carmela Carmen and Secretary Florian Reyder. Guest speakers included Waldo Cabrera of Islip.TV, a video-based internet news site focusing on all of the positive news in Islip; and Islip Councilman Steve Flotteron, who discussed the progress of the Maple Street Dock project. The meeting finished with a presentation of the Chamber's Ten Business Development Initiatives for 2008. Among them are a grant program for storefront improvements; special discount advertising rates for members; advertising subsidies; and a Keep Islip Clean Awards program designed to reward businesses which maintain exemplary exteriors. For more information on these Business Development Initiatives, call the Chamber office at 631-581-2720.

Next General Meeting

Posted Wednesday, January 2, 2008 by admin

Next General Meeting Tuesday, February 12th, 2008 @ 7pm Islip Middle School Library The Board Meeting will be on the same day @ 8:30am at the Bayberry Cafe.