Richner Communications hosts Nassau Council of Chambers of Commerce breakfast

The six long tables were evenly divided, with chairs on either side, with plenty of room for breakfast, coffee and some juice.

The large conference room inside the Garden City headquarters of Richner Communications Inc., sprang to life, as the Herald publisher welcomed members of the Nassau Council of Chambers of Commerce last week to do something they haven’t done much of during the pandemic era — get together in-person.

“For almost two years, we did just Zoom,” said Frank Camarano, the council’s president. Although it was convenient under the circumstances, “I didn’t like it.”
Pointing to the room full of people talking, either one-on-one, or in small groups, Camarano declared that “in-person is much better. We need in-person.”

The council is a group of 42 chambers of commerce from across the county collectively addressing legislative issues that could have an impact on Nassau businesses.

The council seeks to promote what it calls “economic security and enhanced growth.” Through promotion of campaign like “Shop Local,” the group looks to ensure a bright future for the businesses and the communities where they are located.

“We just went to Albany and we partner with Suffolk County and Vision Long Island,” Camarano said. “We are a sounding board and give our members a voice.”
He also noted the organization also discusses issues on the county, town and village levels.

Breakfasts like these are held the last Thursday of every month except October, when the council holds its annual Businessperson of the Year and Legislative Breakfast that serves as a fundraiser for the organization.

With 24 community weekly newspapers and a website, Herald Community Newspapers has a wide reach, according to company president — and breakfast host — Stuart Richner. In fact, “92 percent of Long Islanders go to their mailbox daily,” meaning that traditional print products remain an effective way to reach existing and potential customers.

That’s proven with a robust printing business on the premises, as well as new products like the magazine LI Home. Richner also shared the recent success of its Business Women of Long Island Awards dinner where 400 people attended an in-person gala at the Heritage Club in Bethpage State Park.

Richner also focuses on quality digitial maketing that's accessible to ever business. There is programmtic display and video, geo-fencing, search engine optimization,  search engine marketing, social media and email marketing.

Spotlighting the talents of the in-house graphic designers, Richner added: “You can write on the back of a napkin, and we’ll turn it into something good.”
All of Long Island was the focus of a presentation by Kristen Reynolds, president and chief executive of Discover Long Island, an organization that promotes Long Island as a tourist destination. She was joined by her chief operations officer, Sharon Wyman.

Reynolds spoke about her 14-employee staff that oversees a $3 million annual budget — money generated from hotel occupancy taxes. Yet, her budget is paltry compared to the $37 million available to New York City.

With 10 social media channels — including one on YouTube — Reynolds said Discover Long Island aims to tell people “what Long Island has to offer,” adding the group looks to host parties focused on events such as the Belmont Stakes.

It will relaunch its website in October.

To learn more about the Nassau Council of Chambers of Commerce, visit NCChambers.org.

For Discover Long Island, visit DiscoverLongIsland.com.