Brooklyn's Progress
June 2001

By Cara M. Tuzzolino Werben The number of Brooklyn Chamber Members just grew 10 percent, thanks to the Chamber volunteers who participated in the Chamber’s membership campaign held May 8-11. Over 120 businesses joined the Chamber. The businesses, most of which employ fewer than 50 employees, covered a variety of industries: pillow manufacturers, pastry shops, restaurants, ticket brokers, clothing designers, printers and more. Some of them are new businesses, just starting out in Brooklyn. Others have been in Brooklyn for many years, but were not Chamber Members. “They became Members because the right person asked them,” explained Jim Cusano, president of HRC Company, which led the campaign. Cusano, a nationally renown expert in membership campaigns for Chambers of Commerce, has conducted membership campaigns all over the country raising $24 million in 17 years of business. “Businesses join the Chamber—this is true around the country—for one of several reasons: networking, inclusion in a Chamber’s membership directory, and because the right person asked them.” Volunteers proved Cusano’s point true time and time again throughout the campaign. “I made about 10 phone calls during my volunteer shift,” said Robert Coleman, a volunteer from EAB. “I reached seven people in the office and all of them became Members.” KeySpan Corporation generously hosted the campaign, providing the phones, food and support necessary for the campaign’s success. Their spacious Community Room was ground zero for the campaign. David Manning, senior vice president at KeySpan and chairman of the Board of Directors of the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce, stopped in several times to offer thanks and encouragement to the volunteers. Over 60 volunteers participated in the campaign, comprising teams from throughout the borough. KeySpan Corporation kicked off the drive by having the first team on the first day of the campaign. Other Members with teams included JP Morgan Chase, EAB, Fleet National Bank, HEALTH PLUS, Independence Community Bank, Con Edison and Courier Life. Many small business owners participated, including Alex Conti, Northwestern Mutual, Susan Doban, Architect, Anne Etra, Anne Etra Marketing, David Turrigiano, Tax Preparation, Lisa Bing, Bing Consulting, and many others. Volunteers were handsomely rewarded for their efforts. Glenn Brown, of HSBC, is heading off to Rome, Italy, on an all-expense paid vacation in a luxury hotel as a result of selling the most memberships during the campaign, a total of 22! “It was easy,” Brown said, “and fun as well. I wish I could have done more!” Second prize winner Alex Conti will be vacationing in sunny Florida, via an all expense paid trip to a luxury condo on a secluded island. “I’ve got my suntan lotion ready,” said Conti. Conti sold 11 new memberships. HRC provided all the prizes for the volunteers. Well rewarded for her heroic efforts was Cathy Sevos, who received two free airline tickets for anywhere in the 48 states. Sevos, who signed up eight new Members, had to think quickly when she found out that two of her prospective new Members were already Chamber Members. True to the responsiveness of KeySpan employees, she came back a few hours later with additional Members. “The Chamber is a great organization and it only makes sense for these businesses to be Members,” said Sevos. Sevos also served as team captain for the KeySpan team, which sold 20 memberships. Team prize was awarded to KeySpan.