As we conclude 2007, it is a wonderful time to reflect on the accomplishments of the Huntington Township Chamber of Commerce.  Working together, we have indeed accomplished a great deal within our local community.  This past year saw additional positive changes and a continued commitment towards a more proactive stance and a broader vision for our Chamber.  We have successfully focused on the local business community in Huntington Township in relationship  to the events and opportunities across our region and state. These factors have continued to position our Chamber as an influential Long Island regional force, and a cohesive organization made up of members with whom I am proud to work alongside. 
 
Our Chamber continued to implement several exciting programs and initiatives -consistent with our mission- focusing on advocacy, education, networking and business development for our membership. Our committees are effectively meeting the diverse needs of our local businesses and industries. Our special events were well received by both our members and our communities. 

Among the exciting events the Chamber sponsored in 2007:

• The "Going Green Business Symposium and Expo”
• The annual “Legislative Breakfast”
• A unique and extremely enjoyable “Networking Luau” at Crabmeadow Beach
• Our annual “Economic Summit,”
• Numerous Human Resource Seminars
• Our ongoing “Business After Hours” networking events
• The “Young Professionals’ Chamber of Commerce.”

“The Long Island Fall Festival” broke even with our sponsorships before the festival opened and returned record profits that will help fund the Chamber’s operations as well as give back to the community-based organizations that have helped us all so very much. This includes our friends at the Huntington First Aid Squad, the Huntington Arts Council and the Town of Huntington, without whom the Festival would have achieved such great heights.

We were most fortunate to have the opportunity to dialogue with some of Long Island’s most influential leaders and some new friends at our regularly scheduled breakfast meetings. This list of “movers and shakers” includes Congressman Steve Israel, State Senator Carl Marcellino, State Senator John Flanagan, State Assemblyman Andrew Raia and Assemblyman James Conte, Arthur ‘Jerry’ Kremer, Deputy Suffolk County Executive Jim Morgo, New York State Homeland Security Secretary Michael Balboni,  New York State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli, as well as Huntington Supervisor Frank Petrone and our wonderful Town Council.
 
The New Year promises to be another exciting and productive year for the Huntington Township Chamber of Commerce.  Our first breakfast program for 2008 will feature representatives from Long Island’s most influential media sources who will review the top news of 2007 and predict the important stories of 2008. This special Long Island Media 2007/2008 Breakfast Program will be held on Thursday, January 10, 2008 at the Hilton Hotel in Huntington. A panel of journalists, reporters, correspondents and representatives from major Long Island news outlets will review the stories that made headlines in 2007 and discuss the potential newsmakers of 2008 on Long Island and across the country.  We’re also looking forward to once again sponsoring our “Business Best Awards” to recognize the outstanding contributions and accomplishments of some of our members in the business and industry community.

I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere appreciation to our Staff, officers and all of our members for their continued support of the Huntington Township Chamber of Commerce. I hope the New Year is filled with peace, good health, and prosperity for our community, region and Nation.

Sincerely, 

James V. Kelly
Chairman