From the very beginning, the Chamber has been fortunate enough to have energetic and deeply committed board members at the helm. Their concerted energies have served as the source that motivates the entire membership and drives the strategic direction of the organization.

As an independent cooperative for business, the Chamber unites a diverse cross-section of the business community from all over the Delaware Valley. In addition to our core geographic
markets, we attract businesses from outside the immediate area that want to build a profile and a client base here. Our membership is a mix of small, medium, and large businesses from virtually every profession, and our products and services are driven by the needs of our members.

Today’s business climate requires that we build a dynamic enterprise that is well-positioned to add benefits, programs, and services that allow our members to maximize their opportunities for growth, prosperity and profit.

THE EARLY YEARS

Our Founders The Cherry Hill Club was formed under the leadership of the late Terry Chigounis of the Greenbrier Inn and Whitney H. Carleton, II of the Carleton Insurance Agency, and born as a result of their concerns about the lack of a business and professional organization in our rapidly developing community.

It was the consensus of the club members that the best way to serve their business and professional community was to establish and duly incorporate a Chamber of Commerce affiliated with state and national Chambers.

On October 25, 1977, more than 250 business and community leaders gathered to celebrate the birth of The Cherry Hill Chamber of Commerce.

Because Cherry Hill is an economic hub community, the organization grew to include businesses in contiguous municipalities as well as businesses in the general Philadelphia region and beyond. As a result of our broader constituency, the name was modified to The Greater Cherry Hill Chamber of Commerce (GCHCC). As the organization continued to grow as a tri-county regional resource, and as the number of businesses outside showed interest in joining, it became necessary once again to modify the name. On January 1st, 1999, the Cherry Hill Regional Chamber of Commerce and it's new logo launched a new era of expansion.

Twenty eight charter members formed the nucleus of this organization, headed by Whitney H. Carleton, II, who served as first President; first Vice President Joseph Ochman, President of Interboro Savings and Loan; Vice Presidents Stanley Ravitz, Shop N’Bag; Howard Haas, Councilman, and former Cherry Hill Postmaster; Edward Borden, Sr., Borden Realty; and Treasurer George F. Leupold, Jr., Leupold Financial Planning Associates Inc. The first executive director was Frances Burnstein.

THE GROWTH YEARS

Through the seventies and eighties Cherry Hill Township grew from an emerging suburb of Philadelphia into a powerful entertainment destination courtesy of the Garden State Race Track and a shopping destination courtesy of Cherry Hill Mall.

As the Chamber added hundreds of new members, it also played an active role in supporting the economic development that followed.

During this period the ‘Greater Cherry Hill Chamber of Commerce’ hosted hundreds of events and developed a reputation as a powerful and effective networking organization. Every business person in the region knew that if Executive Vice President Sondra Foos Snitoff was there, the Chamber was represented and her considerable sales and networking skills were ‘in the house’.

In addition to the networking and event activities, the Chamber hosted legislative breakfasts and worked to provide access to legislators on behalf of it’s members, and also was actively involved in its host community, Cherry Hill Township.

THE TRANSITION

By the mid-nineties the anchor for the entertainment industry, Garden State Race Track, had begun a decline accelerated by the Atlantic City Casino Industry. The local business community began a transition to additional retail and office space. The residential communities grew rapidly, fueled by a highly touted school system and easy access to jobs, recreation and shopping. The Chamber too was making a transition as traditional businesses and owners sold or merged and new companies moved in without ties to the past.

By the end of 1995 a new Board of Directors brought new leadership to the organization. Arthur C. Campbell, a long time Cherry Hill resident and career bank executive was named President and CEO. By early 1996 the Chamber had added entirely new technology, both hardware and software, and introduced Chamber Advantage for the first time. The Chamber introduced its web site during the first quarter of 1996 and also introduced its Chamber Advantage program of member discounts on products and services. The member newsletter ‘The Commentary’ was changed from bi-monthly to monthly and the Annual Business Expo was opened to multiple event sponsors.

As the Chamber grew to include many businesses in nearby municipalities, as well as businesses throughout the Delaware Valley, it became appropriate to address the organization name. On January 1^st, 1999, we became Cherry Hill Regional Chamber of Commerce in order to reflect our broader geographic appeal.

On December 28^th, 1999, the Camden City Chamber of Commerce agreed to disband its membership and reorganize as ‘Camden Chamber’, division of Cherry Hill Regional Chamber of Commerce. That step was taken in order to make the products and services of the larger organization available to the Camden business community while still providing a local identity for the Camden organization.

The new Camden Chamber immediately began hosting a monthly networking luncheon event on the first Wednesday of every month. The Camden Chamber, with its Chairman Mike Diemer (Cooperative Business Assistance Corporation) also hosts an Annual Camden Business Showcase recognizing Camden businesses for performance, corporate citizenship and innovation.

BUILDING BUSINESS TOGETHER – TODAY AND BEYOND

Beginning 2003, the region entered a new period of rapid growth and economic development. The former Garden State Park site was approved for a massive ‘smart growth’ initiative led by JMP Holdings, Edgewood Properties and Garden State Park Retail Partners. The township approved development of over 230 acres in the center of Cherry Hill for retail, office, residential and a ‘walkable down town’ shopping, office and lifestyle complex. At the same time, Cherry Hill Mall, Moorestown Mall and Echelon Mall were purchased by Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust with a commitment to reinvest in and reinvent those local retail icons. Major investments in the City of Camden and within the infrastructure added to a frenzy of new growth. The Camden Waterfront added The Victor, a high rise apartment complex and the NJ State Aquarium went private as the Adventure Aquarium.

With this high growth background, the Chamber was approached by other local municipalities who wanted an identity for their business communities much like was created for Camden by the new Camden Chamber.

During the first quarter of 2004, we formed the Gloucester Township Chamber of Commerce with the help and participation of the Mayor of Gloucester Township and the local Economic Development Council. That Chamber of Commerce hosts monthly networking events on the last Wednesday of each month at Filomena’s Restaurant in Blackwood. Chairman Jim Forte led the Board of Directors, in cooperation with Mayor Cindy Rau-Hatton, to present the first Taste of Gloucester Township event in November of 2007. That event attracted 22 restaurants and 500 attendees, and will continue as an annual event in that community.

During the first quarter of 2007, at the request of 8 Mayors along the White Horse Pike, we formed the White Horse Pike Chamber of Commerce comprised of 8 small boroughs from Barrington to Clementon. That Chamber meets on the 3^rd Thursday of each month at the 947 Restaurant in Clementon.

During the first quarter of 2008, the Chamber began initial meetings for a Winslow Township Chamber of Commerce. With support of Mayor Sue Ann Metzner new members began signing up in February and regular monthly meetings will begin in March.

With over 800 active member businesses, the Chamber has made a significant positive impact on the communities it serves, enhancing the environment for commerce and economic development in our region. As a premier business-to-business networking organization in our region, the Chamber has provided the setting for members to significantly increase their client base and improve their bottom line.

OUR PRODUCTS AND SERVICES

The Chamber focuses on 3 ‘lines of business’ for our members.

I. Exposure for your Business – Our most important product is the delivery of cost       effective, quality venues that provide exposure for businesses of all types and sizes.

Business-to Business Networking: The Chamber hosts over 100 events annually to provide members and their business with maximum exposure.

• Weekly Luncheons - Our informal Tuesday Luncheon, held at The Coastline restaurant, brings together over 70 businesses weekly. No reservations are required, and it is an ideal setting for members interested in doing business with one another.

• Local Chamber Networking Monthly – Each local Chamber hosts monthly networking events in their municipality.

• Business After Hours – After work receptions hosted by members for the purpose of relaxation, socializing, and informal networking. An excellent tool for member grand openings or show-casing a member establishment.

Special Events: In addition to regular networking activities, the Chamber presents several unique events that add both opportunity and exposure.

• Our Annual Business Expo is one of largest trade shows in the region. Over 150 exhibitors from most industries, large and small, display their products and services for over 2,000 attendees. The Expo creates a 1 day Shopping Mall for Business and is a major draw for sponsors and decision makers.

• Annual Economic Development Overview – Executives responsible for the major economic development projects in the region present overviews and answer questions immediately before our Annual Business Expo. This buffet breakfast attracts over 250 business leaders from around the region, news media and government officials. It is the only annual event that presents all the major regional development projects at one time.

• A Taste of South Jersey – Our Annual presentation of the finest offerings from 30 restaurants, hotels and caterers attracts 800 ‘tasters’ to enjoy excellent cuisine and the beautiful ambience of the Currents Ballroom at the Adventure Aquarium on the waterfront.

• Chamber Golf Outing – Held in September at the picturesque and challenging Pine Hill Golf Club. Corporate networking at its best brings executives and business owners together for a day of relaxation, excellent food and comraderie.

• Annual Holiday Party – Our end of year get together is purely social and pure fun. Themes vary, but the food and the company is consistently excellent.

• Camden Business Showcase & Award Luncheon – Each year, our Camden Chamber of Commerce presents 3 awards to businesses in Camden City. The Business Achievement Award is presented for long term quality and profitability and providing jobs to Camden residents. The Corporate Citizenship Award is presented for entrepreneurial vision and commitment to the City. The Small Business Excellence Award is presented to a small business that has been successful and has hired Camden residents.

• Taste of Gloucester Township – This event was offered for our Gloucester Township Chamber of Commerce for the first time in 2007 and was so successful the local Board of Directors and the Township of Gloucester committed to make it an annual event. 22 restaurants and 500 attendees enjoyed the local culinary favorites at The Palace in Blackwood.

Member Publications

• The Commentary – The Chamber’s monthly newsletter is provided as a featured section in the regional monthly business publication ‘Business Trends’. It lists new and renewing member companies, provides articles on Chamber news and information on upcoming events as well as recaps of recent major event activities.

• www.cherryhillregional.com – The Chamber’s web site features an on line member listing, including links to all member web sites and email. This very active website boasts 28,000 hits weekly and several hundred unique visits daily. The site also allows for on line event registration, new member sign-up and renewal payments. Browse our Calendar of Events or Member Discounts and utilize our Business Resources sections.

• Annual Member Directory & Regional Guide – New in 2008, we have combined our Member Directory and our Regional Guide to provide greater exposure for our advertisers and useful information about our market area for businesses moving in to our communities. 1,000 issues will include the full Member Directory plus the Regional Guide. An additional 5,000 Regional Guide issues will be distributed to businesses throughout the region and includes comprehensive information about The Heart of South Jersey.

II. MEMBER TO MEMBER DISCOUNTS – Reducing your costs of doing business, and offering additional discounted products to employees and families is something a Chamber can do for your business that your business can’t do for itself.

Because of our size, we have been able to convince a wide variety of businesses to offer special discounts. These discounts are for business products and services, but some are also for the employees and the families of business members. The money saved on discounts often exceeds the annual dues invoice for Chamber membership.

Whether it is advertising and web site hosting or auto insurance and prescription drug savings, we offer the largest program of its kind in our region.

We invite you to refer to the Chamber Advantage section in this publication for a comprehensive list of participating companies.

III. YOUR VOICE IN THE COMMUNITY – We give your business the power of many.

Whether the topic is as broad as business legislation and access to legislators or municipalities, or as specific as a local planning or zoning board issue; a Chamber of Commerce can have more influence than an individual business.

• Community Services - The Chamber provides relocation packages, brochures, and a wealth of information about the local area including referrals for restaurant, banquet and lodging facilities for visiting groups and individual guests. In addition, our staff provides personal assistance to prospective residents, business people and organizations.

• Government Relations – A Unique approach to Government/Municipal Relations

Our re-organized Government Relations Committee will work to develop programs that provide information to our members and access when they need it. As part of our local chamber strategies, we will also participate with those local municipalities on issues important to businesses in those communities.

• Legislative & Governance – We have partnered with the New Jersey State Chamber of Commerce thru their ‘Partners for Progress’ program to influence pro-business action on legislation.

We have also developed an alliance with the New Jersey Business and Industry Association, and host monthly breakfasts to provide direct access to legislators and New Jersey Commissioners and regulatory bodies.

The Chamber’s unique local strategy has engaged us in issues such as sponsoring debates in local elections, testifying on local economic development issues and working to rationalize certain zoning and business ordinance decisions. We have also partnered with local communities to develop local maps for wide distribution.

TREASURER
R. Michael Diemer
Chairman, Camden Chamber Advisory Board
Executive Director
Cooperative Business Assistance Corporation

SECRETARY
Joseph Tredinnick
Regional Vice President
Commerce Bank

PRESIDENT/CEO
Arthur C. Campbell
Cherry Hill Regional Chamber of Commerce

Aldonna R. Ambler CMC, CSP
President
Ambler Growth Strategy Consultants, Inc.

Marilyn Arnold
Managing Partner
New York Life

David J. Bannett, CPA, CVA
Bannett and Company, CPA's

Kim Barnes
Vice President
Corporate Development
Lourdes Health System

Mary Louise Bianco-Smith
Director of Marketing
University of Medicine & Dentistry of NJ

Greg Charbeneau
Executive Director
Adventure Aquarium

Edward J. Damm
Executive Vice President
ACCU Staffing Services

Anastasius ‘Tassos’ Efstradiades, Esq.
Obermayer, Rebmann, Maxwell & Hippel

Jim Forte
Chairman Gloucester Township
Chamber of Commerce

Denise Kassekert
Senior Vice President
Beneficial Bank

Scott Kintzing
President
The Bank

Tom Marino
Senior Vice President
PNC Bank

John P. Masson III, A.A.I., C.C.I.
Widerman & Company

David P. Mickelson
President
CTB Systems

William T. Mink
Executive Director
Corporate and Career Development
Camden County College

Mary Miszlay
Vice President
TD Banknorth, N.A.

Roseann Oleyn
Assistant Publisher
Trend Publications

Robert Savar
President
Worldwide Web Communications, Inc.

Jeremy Shackleford
Senior Vice President
Susquehanna Bank

Janis B. Sweeney
President/CEO
National Employee Management Resources


Legal Counsel

Matthew Green
Obermayer, Rebmann, Maxwell & Hippel