The second meeting of the revitalized Glen Rock Chamber of Commerce was held at the Glen Rock Library on Thursday, April 20, 2017 at 10 am. In attendance were Board members Julie Allen, President, Eileen Maher Hillock, Vice President, Patricia Zengel, Treasurer, and Evan Quinn, Secretary. It was a great turnout with the Board being joined by over 20 new or prospective members.
Glen Rock Chamber of Commerce VP Eileen Maher Hillock welcomed everyone to the meeting and led the introductions underscoring the networking nature of the Chamber. She commented on the great attendance and reiterated that the Chamber is open to all thoughts, ideas and suggestions to enhance the vitality of the Glen Rock business community.
New event suggestions included hosting a Restaurant Week, added Winter Holiday offerings , enhanced collaboration with other local Chambers of Commerce, progressive dinners through area businesses and more!
Led by Treasurer Pat Zengel, The Board immediately got to business approving generous Chamber donations to Glen Rock High Schools scholarships, and donations to the volunteer Fire Department, Ambulance Corps and Police Benevolent Association as they had done in past years.
Chamber President Julie Maxwell Allen discussed membership benefits and underscored that the Chamber will represent ALL Glen Rock businesses, those in the Downtown Rock Road area, Prospect St., Broad St. , Maple Ave, Harristown Rd. and Lincoln Avenue based businesses in additional to home-based and independent businesses in the area.
A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to a discussion with representatives from Cliffhanger Productions, the new vendor chosen to run our Fall Festival. Eileen Maher Hillock noted, “We are thrilled with our new vendor’s priority on ensuring our local businesses, those that generously support our town day in and day out, will be given first priority to participate in the Fall Festival and showcase their offerings to the hundreds or hopefully thousands of attendees. I’m also excited by the enhanced family-friendly focus of the event from the rides, to the all day entertainment, to the adult “beverage area” aka Beer Garden.”
Resident Michelle Torpey highlighted plans for the enhanced Holiday offerings she will be coordinating in conjunction with the Chamber. She noted the kickoff date will be Friday, November 24th, the day after Thanksgiving and the same day as the Glen Rock Jaycees Santa Train ride. Michelle noted, “There are 300 – 400 people walking through town that day for the train ride and we want them to have a reason to stay in town and frequent our businesses afterwards. We will work with merchants to offer special holiday offerings beginning that day and throughout the holiday season.”
The next Glen Rock Chamber of Commerce meeting will be held at the Glen Rock Library on Thursday, May 18 at 10 am. This meeting is a members-only meeting.
For additional information, or to become a member:
www.GlenRockChamberofCommerce.com
Glen Rock Chamber of Commerce Board Members
President: Julie Maxwell Allen
Vice President: Eileen Maher Hillock
Jan Kilroy
Treasurer: Pat Kafafian Zengel
Secretary: Victor Quinn
Evan Quinn
