By Victoria Hurley-Schubert, Staff Writer
The Princeton Regional Chamber of Commerce will celebrate it’s golden anniversary later this month with a gala dinner.
”The chamber’s work is important for keeping business local, and supporting each other. It also helps to enhance, from a business perspective, the town of Princeton’s already sterling academic reputation,” said J. Robert Hillier, chairman of the board who has been a member for more than 40 years. “I have learned a great deal at the various programs featured at the monthly luncheons and at the Business Before Business Breakfast events. Also, I have become well-acquainted with many of the region’s business professionals.”
Twenty original companies formed the chamber back in 1960 and 10 are still active members. The members began the process in 1959, and signed the charter the following October. Today, there more 800 businesses partners and 1,300 members, said Peter Crowley, president and CEO. More than 100 events, from the recent culinary showcase to educational programs and networking events, are held throughout the year.
Chris Tarr has been a member of the chamber since the early 1970’s through his former law firm Smith, Stratton & Wise. He recalled the chamber beginning in a one-room office at 44 Nassau St. in Palmer Square with one staff person. It served businesses in Palmer Square and on Nassau Street.
”You could fit all the members in one of the small rooms in the Nassau Inn. Some of the members would have a meeting just for the retailers in the afternoon in one of the stores after closing,” said Mr. Tarr, who is currently on the board of directors and has served as chairman. “It was a business group confined to Princeton Borough and the Township in the old days.”
The chamber has evolved through the years both geographically and in its membership rolls. “It took off in the ‘80s when the area started to grow,” said Mr. Tarr who continued his chamber membership at his new firm, Stevens & Lee.
Membership has been and continues to be strong because “new people and small companies join so they can meet other business people,” he said.”If you want to meet business people from the area (the chamber is the place) because it’s a broad array of people. I’ve got friends through the chamber I wouldn’t make anywhere else.”
Throughout the years, the chamber has supported hundreds of business throughout the region from Somerset and Hunterdon counties to Bucks County, Pa.
”The reason we have a wider reach than most chambers is because we’re regional and the Convention and Visitor’s Bureau that allows us to have a wider footprint,” said Mr. Crowley.
The chamber continues to look ahead for innovative ways to serve its’ members and already uses social networking to communicate with members.
”We look forward to expanding our local economic development initiatives, increasing our dedication to community social initiatives and continuing to build and support business and not-for-profit leadership programs,” Mr. Crowley said. “The chamber has moved quickly to capture the benefits of leveraging and expanding our changing technology to help our business partners become more connected. We will continue to upgrade our website to create better connectivity.”
These 50 years of serving business and the community will be officially marked on Thursday, Oct. 21 at Springdale Golf Course, 1895 Clubhouse Drive in Princeton. The theme of this special event will be the early 1960’s. Special highlights of the party include prizes, games, a walk down memory lane, music and a costume contest as well as entertainment by Eddie Holman, hit recording artist, famous for his hit song, “Hey There Lonely Girl.” Cost to attend is $50 per person and for those not wearing a costume, business attire is recommended.
Reservations can be made at www.princetonchamber.org or by calling the chamber at (609) 924-1776.
