By Laura Rodell
The affiliation encourages closer ties between the chambers' member businesses through jointly sponsored seminars and events. “This affiliation adds value to joining both organizations,” said William Egan, executive vice president of the Queens Chamber of Commerce. “Members will have an opportunity to meet and conduct business with people whom, prior to this, they did not have access.””There will also be an equal exchange of information, whereby the Sunnyside Chamber will publish information on activities sponsored by the Queens Chamber and vice versa,” Executive Director of the Sunnyside Chamber of Commerce Luke Adams said of the two groups' agreement to cross-promote. Adams added that members of one chamber will also be able to attend lectures and events hosted by the other chamber at reduced member rates. The chambers typically operate independently in the shared role of providing guidance and networking opportunities to member businesses. Egan described them as non-profit agencies comprised of businesses of all sizes and sectors, differing primarily in size and geographic scope. The Sunnyside Chamber of Commerce represents about 100 businesses located within the Sunnyside-Woodside region, while the Queens Chamber represents some 1,200 throughout the borough of Queens.Adams said the affiliation marks the beginning of what he hopes will be a mutually beneficial affiliation between the distinct Chambers. “To date, we haven't had much of a relationship with the Queens Chamber of Commerce, but it looks like going forward, we will be working together to advance the borough of Queens,” he said.Adams credits Bruce Bendell, owner of the automotive dealership Major Chevrolet in Long Island City and a member of both chambers, for recognizing the potential in such a partnership. “A lot of credit goes to him [Bendell] for stopping and noticing that everyone could benefit from a relationship between the Chambers,” he noted. The affiliation will take effect immediately and Egan said he expects the first jointly sponsored event to occur in September.
