Business & Tech
Record turnout for the Belmar Business Partnership annual meeting
BBP annual meeting showcases 2018 strategic plans and priorities to promote commerce, businesses, and tourism in Belmar, New Jersey.
Above: The all-volunteer Belmar Business Partnership Board of Trustees (from left to right): Tom Burke, Organization Committee; Pat Tecza, Retail Programs Committee; Jackie Gammond, Administrative Director; Gail O’Reilly, BBP Treasurer; Christine Cardellino (center front), Branding and Marketing Committee; Sal Marchese, BBP President; Brian Hadden, Business Development Committee; and Kate Walters, Visual Improvement Committee. Not pictured: John Sabia and Norman Einhorn. Photo by Cathy Goetz.
The Belmar Business Partnership (BBP) had a record turnout for its 2018 annual stakeholder meeting, which took place February 27 at Anchor Tavern in Belmar, New Jersey.
During the meeting, Belmar Mayor Matt Doherty provided an update on the business community throughout Belmar, highlighting the Central Business District, Route 71 retailers, and Ocean Avenue restaurants and businesses. Sal Marchese, BBP President and owner of Salon Marsal in Belmar, welcomed attendees to the meeting and thanked everyone for their support.
“We in the BBP are excited and feel a resurgence of energy within the business community for our plans,” Marchese said. “We believe our 2018 goals and objectives, coupled with our present, ongoing activities and programs, will continue to strengthen and expand Belmar business commerce.”
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Following the remarks by Mayor Doherty and Marchese, BBP committee chairs and Board of Trustee members discussed highlights of the BBP’s strategic plans and priorities for 2018. Brian Hadden, chair of the Business Development Committee, introduced a one-time expanded co-pay for the BBP’s façade grants program. This initiative is designed to support Belmar businesses in improving the exterior of their buildings through façade renovations and new awnings and/or signage, on a limited basis.
Kate Walters, chair of the Visual Improvement Committee and owner of Sweet Tease Tea Room and Café, discussed ongoing projects to maintain the seasonal plantings throughout the business districts, as well as other plans for streetscape and beautification projects.
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Pat Tecza, owner of Nostalgic Nonsense Vintage Clothing, introduced the new Retail Programs Committee of the BBP, which she chairs. She also announced the winners of the first business-decorating contest in Belmar, which was themed around the Belmar St. Patrick’s Day Parade.
Tom Burke, chair of the Organization Committee, talked about plans to support new businesses with ribbon-cutting events and other membership-development activities to strengthen the business climate in Belmar. Christine Cardellino, a member of the Branding and Marketing Committee and publisher of the Belmar Beachcomber blog, discussed the BBP’s ramped-up publicity efforts for 2018 through press releases, media outreach, and social media marketing.
In addition to Mayor Doherty, special guests at the BBP annual meeting included Belmar Councilwoman Jennifer Nicolay, Borough Council liaison to the BBP, and Councilman Mark Walsifer.
The BBP wishes to thank the following businesses that took part in the meeting to learn more about the many exciting initiatives to come in 2018:
About the Belmar Business Partnership
The Belmar Business Partnership (BBP) is the non-profit district management corporation created under municipal ordinance and state statute to manage the Belmar Special Improvement District.
The Board of Trustees of the BBP is composed of business owners and business property owners, with additional representation from the Borough’s civic leaders and residents. The BBP’s Visual Improvement, Branding and Marketing, Retail Programs, Business Development, and Organization Committees develop and execute programs to carry out the strategic priorities and goals of the BBP.
All of the group’s efforts are provided on a completely volunteer basis. Board members spend hundreds of hours working together each year to support and promote the business community in Belmar. For more information, please visit www.belmarbusinesspartnership.com or call 732-894-9022. Find the BBP on Facebook at @BBPNJShore.
Read more Belmar business stories on the Belmar Beachcomber blog.
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