By NANETTE LoBIONDO GALLOWAY
MARGATE – Image is everything, and the city has once again turned to the professional staff at the Margate Business Association to conduct some of the city’s major community events.
The Board of Commissioners Thursday, April 21 awarded a $98,800 contract to the Margate Business Association to render assistance with marketing concepts and event planning, according to a resolution approved at the meeting.
The “unique relationship” between the city and its business community “benefits every level of our community,” MBA President Ed Berger said in his marketing proposal to the city.
The MBA brings “fresh, exciting ideas” to city events and promotions, creating “positive energy” not only for the business community but also the community at large.
Berger said, “It’s all about image,” in his proposal about the city’s investment. “We live in a world where perception is reality.”
“If Margate did not continually build and invest in our images, we would be suffering the pains of a staggering majority of coastal NJ towns,” he said.
The MBA organizes the city’s major events, including Beachstock! The Planet’s Largest Beach Party in June and the Fall Funfest by the Bay in September. But it does so much more, including hosting Thrilling Thursdays, a Ducky Derby, Wine Tasting, and Shop Small Weekend in November.
Margate Funfest by the Bay.
The MBA has also invested in creating a free smart phone app, called Catch The Wave, that provides information about local businesses, events and activities, and provides businesses with the opportunity for push notifications.
The organization assists the city’s green team, Sustainable Margate, with its “Bag It Forward” campaign that enlisted the support of business community to distribute 20,000 free reusable bags. The latest iteration of the Bag It Forward campaign will coincide with the state’s new bag ban legislation that goes into effect on May 4. The MBA will distribute reusable string bags at no cost to shoppers and businesses.
New this year is the Margate Welcome Wave, a program to greet all new homeowners and businesses. The welcome wagon concept will deliver information, coupons and more stuffed into the string bags.
The MBA is also a partner sponsor with other Downbeach towns in the Le Tour de Downbeach bicycle ride, this year to be held on June 5 starting on the Ventnor boardwalk.
The MBA is also responsible for creating the city’s annual community calendar, which contains photographs of community events, information about when and where public meetings are held.
Margate Business Association volunteers and staff, eco friendly reusable “Bag It Forward” bags at the Colmar Home Center warehouse. Wally Korzeniewski, Lee Rothblatt, Anna Maria Courter, Michael Collins, Tom Collins.
Philanthropy is also a cornerstone of the MBA. The organization funds college scholarships for students graduating from the Margate schools, and provides necessities for students in need.
The organization’s budget this year will top $300,000, and it requested $98,800 from the city to cover certain costs, including the required liability and event insurance that names the city as additional insured.
This year’s special event schedule includes:
- May 2 – Cornhole League Spring Season begins
- June 5 – Le Tour de Downbeach
- June 25 – Beachstock! The Planet’s Largest Beach Party
- July 11 – Summer Cornhole League begins
- July 29 – Wine Tasting
- Aug. 14 – Ducky Derby
- Sept. 24-25 – Fall Funfest By The Bay and Funfest After Dark
- Nov. 25-26 – Shop Small Weekend
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