Members of the Margate Business Association attended a ‘small batch’ meeting at Tomatoe’s March 12.
By NANETTE LoBIONDO GALLOWAY
MARGATE – A group of Margate business owners turned out Tuesday after business hours for a “small batch” meeting held in a private dining room at Tomatoe’s restaurant on Amherst Avenue. It was the first such meeting held to let local business owners know what the Margate Business Association is doing to promote commerce in Margate.
“We are holding these small batch meetings to let our business owners know how we are working behind the scenes to help your business,” MBA Executive Director Anna Maria Blescia said.
The meetings answer the question: “MBA, what have you done for me lately?” she said.
Blescia said the MBA has joined a collaboration with the Greater Atlantic City Chamber of Commerce and other business associations in Atlantic County to hold mixers hosted by the local associations to develop public policy positions on legislation being proposed at the state level, and create a “Christmas tree list” of Margate’s needs that will be presented to NJ Sen. Vince Polistina.
The next mixer will be held 5:30-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 11 at Ventura’s Greenhouse. The event is free and open to all members of participating business associations. Non-members are $25 per person.
“We are not just about putting on fabulous events,” Blescia said. “We are working behind the scenes to escalate issues to the state, such as the current legislation revising liquor license regulations, and more. We have worked with Atlantic City chamber President Michael Chait sharing ideas and 99% of the time we are on the same page. But your feedback and interest is great and we want to work together to make things happen.”
Blescia introduced two guest speakers who shared information about programs that can help business owners hire new employees and increase sales at their businesses.
JFS Business Liaison Bruce Weeks speaks to Margate business owners about hiring new employees.
Jewish Family Service of Atlantic and Cape May Counties Business Liaison Bruce Weeks spoke about how JFS works to help individuals overcome barriers to employment through pre-screening and pre-employment coaching. It also helps business owners navigate hiring incentive programs, such as the federal Work Opportunity Tax Credit program, which provides up to $2,400 to employers who hire individuals who face barriers to employment.
Weeks said JFS not only works with individuals to help them find employment, but also with business owners who need help maneuvering the program.
“We partner with local businesses at targeted hiring events for businesses that need workers. We have an untapped group of employee candidates. Businesses can help us in other ways as well, by volunteering to conduct mock interviews and job shadowing. It’s a good way to give back to the community,” he said.
Other organizations that have taken advantage of the JFS program include AtlantiCare, Acme Markets and more, he said.
“We work with anyone in Atlantic and Cape May counties trying to put together a good fit, offer tax credit advice, and help you do the paperwork for each qualified candidate,” he said.
Longtime Ocean First branch manager Nancy Lynch said although the bank currently has no openings, it recently heard a presentation about the JFS program.
“I left the program invigorated,” she said. “Trying to give someone a chance at getting a new job is a great service to the community.”
Website developer Steve Dunwoody of Cold Soup Marketing speaks about the AddEvent program.
Blescia also introduced the MBA’s website developer, Steve Dunwoody of Cold Soup Marketing, who has worked with the business association to increase its social media presence.
“Our digital social media presence has skyrocketed, and we were looking for a cutting edge, user-friendly way to connect with customers,” Blescia said.
Instead of printing a map of businesses this year, which has not been effective in expanding the MBA’s reach, there will be a digital map on the MBA website, margatehasmore.com, Blescia said.
The organization will employ the use of QR codes that easily link shoppers and visitors to MBA events and happenings. Additionally, a two-sided rack card will be distributed to local businesses for distribution to the general public.
The latest promotion, which will keep shoppers and visitors informed about community events, sidewalk sales and anything MBA, includes registering for the AddEvent app using a QR code or link. All MBA events will be added to the platform, and when someone registers for the app, it automatically syncs the information to whatever calendar program the person uses, i.e. Apple Calendar, Microsoft Outlook, etc. It takes just seconds to register.
“The listings go straight to your personal calendar,” Dunwoody said. “Anyone who signs up for the service will get the latest and greatest information and automatic updates. The program also provides MBA with analytics to show engagement numbers for each event.”
AddEvent streamlines communication so there are no last minute surprises, such as issues with parking and weather.
The QR code, which can be scanned using a cell phone photo capture program, will be posted on social media sites and on billboards leading to and from Philadelphia. Stickers with the QR code will be distributed to business owners along with rack cards that can be displayed in windows or on store counters.
Register for AddEvent at http://www.addevent.com/calendar/ia643587. For more information about the MBA, see www.margatehasmore.com.
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