At its fifth annual Business Awards dinner on Thursday Nov. 10 at the Elks Club, the Hoboken Chamber of Commerce presented awards in 10 categories to local businesses, business people, and agencies such as the homeless shelter, recognizing them for their achievements in the community.
Chamber President Richard Mackiewicz said there were 145 nominees for the 10 categories, nominated via the chamber’s website by members. Those 145 nominees were narrowed to the three finalists by a chamber subcommittee and then voted on by the chamber board to determine the winner.
Members of the Board of Directors presented the awards in front of roughly 200 business people as dinner was served by The Madison Bar & Grill.
This year’s winners were: The Hoboken Shelter for Community Service Provider of the Year; Fields Construction for Developer/ Builder of the Year; HoLa Charter School for Educational Provider of the Year, and Provident Bank for Financial Business of the Year.
Other winners included Ken O’Neill of BCB Community Bank, who won the Hoboken Chamber Member of the Year award. Innovator of the Year went to the Stevens Institute of Technology for the Stevens Venture Center, a collaborative environment where entrepreneurs can develop new business technologies. The People’s Choice award went to Academy Bus, Real Estate Office of the Year went to Singleton-Galmann Realty, and Restaurant of the Year went to La Isla Restaurant.
Shop local
Mackiewicz said the evening is about community, camaraderie, and networking for the attendees and it is a great way to “kick off the holiday season as it rolls right into Thanksgiving.”
“Neighborhoods are created around businesses.” – Richard Mackiewicz
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“It is so important to shop local,” said Mackiewicz. “Neighborhoods are created around businesses. That’s where the sense of community occurs. You go there to meet or chat with a neighbor or friend. The two are intertwined.”
Dialogue with City Hall
Mackiewicz said this year the Chamber has been in constant dialogue with the City Council. They have formed a committee of three chamber members and three council people, which meets regularly to discuss ways to improve business in the city.
“We look at where the processes are breaking down and assess how we can fix or change them,” said Mackiewicz.
No members of the council or the mayor attended the evening’s award dinner.
He said the chamber has acted as the champion for local businesses to protect their interests.
“The Chamber of Commerce is like insurance,” he said. “Once you need it, you’re glad it’s there.”
Most recently, the chamber hosted a breakfast with Councilman Michael Russo, Councilman Jim Doyle, Councilwoman Tiffanie Fisher, and Police Chief Ken Ferrante to discuss the council’s possible repeal of the 500-foot rule.
(For more information on this meeting, read “Chamber of Commerce discusses 500 foot rule” from Oct. 23 at Hudsonreporter.com)
In the past the chamber also worked with the city to ensure the Washington Street Redesign project would not have too large a negative impact on local commerce.
Mackiewicz urged members of the audience throughout the evening to join the Chamber of Commerce. “Through numbers we can make our voices heard.”
Armando Luis, owner of La Isla, echoed this statement in his acceptance speech.
“We need stronger representation,” said Luis. “I think we are often guilty of taking this incredible city for granted. We need to increase chamber membership and participation. If we don’t stand up for ourselves, no one else would.”
Marilyn Baer can be reached at marilynb@hudsonreporter.com.