Brooklyn Chamber Reaches 1,500th Member Milestone

The Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce capped off 2013 in magnificent style last night - hosting over 600 people at its Winter Gala (a record for that annual event) and announced it had reached the historic milestone of 1,500 members.

"We are growing every day," said Carlo A. Scissura, President & CEO of the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce. "Last year at our Winter Gala, we announced a goal of 1,500 members by December 31. I am proud to say that we have reached 1,500 members, and surpassed that number this week, with the addition of Maggie Gu and her Park Asia restaurant in Sunset Park!

"A big thank you goes to our all our members (a particular thank you to our Ambassador Committee), our wonderful Board of Directors and ever-growing staff for making the Brooklyn Chamber the number one resource for businesses and a catalyst for economic development across the borough. We have truly had a wonderful year and 2014 will be even bigger and better."

"It is wonderful to see the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce reach so many milestones in 2013," said Brooklyn Chamber Board Chair Denise Arbesu. "In my first full year as Board Chair, I am proud to say that we have reached 1,500 members and that our Winter Gala, the Chamber's largest fundraiser, attracted over 600 people. A big thank you goes to our Board of Directors and the staff for all their hard work in making the Brooklyn Chamber the borough's go-to place for small businesses and economic development. It is also fitting that we honor Borough President Marty Markowitz and former Board Chair Phil Stenger for all they have done to make Brooklyn the place to do business."

"Wow! Fifteen in Chinese means 'quickly,'" said Gu. "My being the 1500th member is a sign of how quickly the Brooklyn Chamber has grown in this past year under Carlo's and his team's leadership. And going forward it will grow even more quickly. And it is also a sign that the businesses that make up the Chamber will develop quickly, too."

In addition, the Brooklyn Chamber also held a tribute to the "Legends of Brooklyn" - honoring Borough President Marty Markowitz and former Board Chair Phil Stenger for what they have done for the borough.

"I am honored that Brooklyn's business community would bestow this generous honor upon me this evening," said Markowitz. "It has been my pleasure to work with our local businesses in order to see them grow and get the promotion they deserve. The better Brooklyn's businesses do, the better we all do!"

"It is an honor to be called a Brooklyn legend and receive this recognition from the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce," said Stenger. "Thank you to the Brooklyn Chamber for all they have done and continue to do for this great borough."

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