Vol. 6, Issue #5 – Fall & Winter 2020

Commerce & Community
Preparing for a strong year-end
As we head into the fall and holiday season, Southern Ocean Chamber of Commerce has resources and workshops to accelerate your year-end sales or fundraising. Our focus is to provide plenty of programs and outreach each month from Grow with Google live streams, Women in Business Networking, Consumer promotion, and many other events.
Read on to learn more about our Strategic Plan and how to capitalize on the many changes the LBI region has seen in the wake of COVID-19, including how to get your business noticed to the new and incoming relocated residents.
news from the chamber

Breakfast is back! Join us with Freeholder Director Joseph Vicari to discuss small business in the Covid-19 recovery as well as announcements for 2021 strategies.


2021 will be an unprecedented year for the local and national economy. Get the big picture explained by Joel Naroff, Ph,d.


Application opening soon. $70 million to restaurants, micro-businesses, and other small businesses. $10 million to help small businesses purchase Personal Protective Equipment. $5 million to support food banks and hunger relief.

2020 Shop Small Saturday is a way to connect with consumers that will help drive business from contracting services, helping with gift lists, subscriptions, future overnight stays, dining and catering.

The NJDOL Benefits Eligibility Tool can help employees determine what benefits are available to them during COVID-19.

The State of New Jersey has announced the launch of a new website that will act as a one-stop-shop for the information you need to do business in New Jersey.

Is your business or nonprofit offering catering or specialty meals for Thanksgiving, Christmas or New Year's Eve? Let us know!

Land & Sea Passport
2021 Sales Underway
The NEW 2021 guide will combine the Land & Sea and Passport to LBI into one tour sized booklet. It will feature family-friendly activities, beach, sports, and recreation information, as well as showcase local business, maps, and points of interest that continue to make the LBI Region the best place to live, work, and vacation.
15,000 copies are distributed locally into vacation rental packets, through our visitor center and out of area marketing opportunities. It will be available as a digital download on visitLBIregion.com and southernoceanmade.com with live links directly to your business website or social media, as well as featured through the passport to LBI platforms.
Contact [email protected] or call 609-494-7211 for more information and click the button below to reserve your spot.
Tourism Opportunity
Create unique activities to drive virtual tourism
Our partnership with New Jersey Division of Travel and Tourism allows us to present a valuable marketing partnership with Airbnb, which offers revenue and promotional opportunities through their new Online Experiences.
Are you an expert in history, art, food and beverage, science or another field? Host a virtual activity and plan a digital field trip to allow guests from around the world to experience the people, locations, and opportunities that abound in LBI.
As the Host, you decide the price of your Experiences. Airbnb charges only a 20% service fee. This fee is waived for nonprofits. Experiences can take place as frequently as a host accommodates—some hold one once a month, while others five times a day. As part of our partnership, Airbnb provides onboarding and technical guidance, and advice on topics and promotions. Plus, Airbnb provides a means for guests to book your Experience directly and for you to communicate with guests via the platform, as well as a Zoom account for your Experience.
To learn more, email Lori Pepenella at [email protected], or click the button below to view inspiration on the types of Experiences you can host.

LBI Region cheat sheet
Chowderfest Month
Meet the champions of the 2020 ChowderfestMonthShip Bottom Annual Christmas Parade
Register your float and take part in the December 5th parade!!
executive board
Christopher Schwab
President Anderson Insurance AgencyJeremy Defilippis
1st Vice President Jetty LifeJerry Thompson
2nd Vice President Van Dyk GroupAndrea Driscoll
Treasurer The SandpaperLori Pepenella, CDME
Chief Executive Officer Southern Ocean County Chamber of CommerceMichele Cuff
Chief Financial Officer Southern Ocean County Chamber of Commerceboard of directors
Laura Benson
Berry, Sahradnik, Kotzas & BensonFrank Ritacco
LED Mobile BillboardsMichele Collins-Davies
Stockton UniversityElizabeth Giglio
Barlow Buick GMCTim Hart
Ocean County Cultural & Heritage CommissionCarol Holmes
Health Village ImagingTanek Hood
Reynolds LandscapingJohn Bell Maschal
Bay VillageJerry Thompson
The Van Dyk GroupNicole Dougherty
TD BankJoshua Roda
Vinyl AgencyJillian Elsasser
Panzones PizzaMarie Daley
Beasley Media Groupthe staff
Lori A Pepenella
Chief Executive Officer, Ext. 101 [email protected]Michele Cuff
Chief Financial Officer, Ext. 103 [email protected]Cindy Galvin
Business Support Associate, Ext. 105 [email protected]Kate Krier
Business Outreach Coordinator, Ext. 104 [email protected]Todd Elsasser
Chowderfest Coordinator [email protected]Samantha Cisternas
Membership & Marketing Associate, Ext. 108 [email protected]
Partner Members
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Anderson Insurance Agency
Protecting families & businesses across the Jersey Shore since 1967.
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Atlantic City Electric
Southern New Jersey’s safe, reliable & affordable electric service.
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Barlow Buick GMC of Manahawkin
Where everyone is treated like family.
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G Anderson Agency
Choosing to Sell, Rent or Buy on begins with choosing G. Anderson Agency.
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Jetty
Jetty is a lifestyle apparel & printing company born of its East coast roots.
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Panzone’s Restaurants
Serving Long Beach Island’s Favorite Pizza since 1980
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Reynolds Garden Shop
Everything you need for your favorite place – your home.
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Terrace Tavern & Delaware Avenue Oyster House
Family owned restaurants where good food and a fun environment bring people together.
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TD Bank
America’s Most Convenient Bank
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The SandPaper
The Newsmagazine of Long Beach Island & Southern Ocean County.
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The Wireless Experience
A leading wireless solution and home automation AT&T retailer dedicated to providing unmatched customer service and product selection.
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Van Dyk Group
Full service agency offering a family of services including Real Estate, Insurance, Financial, Mortgage & Human Resource Services.
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Hotel LBI/ Mainland
Premium amenities and a relaxed atmospherehere; where comfort meets luxury at Hotel LBI! Find the ultimate destination for fun with friends and family at The Mainland
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AtlantiCare
Building healthy communities together.
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Tide Table Group
In each of our establishments, we aim to serve the freshest seafood and provide quality experience.
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Orsted
It’s time to take real action to create a wold that runs on green energy.
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Berkshire Hathaway Home Services: Zach Shore Realtors
Find your perfect home

New Members
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Roberto’s Dolce Vita
Robert Viele
122907 Long Beach Township
Long Beach Township, NJ 08008
609-492-1001
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Dune 18
Virginia Zanone
1916 Long Beach Boulevard
Ship Bottom, NJ 08008
609-494-3354
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Birdy’s Cafe and Artisan Market
Amy Haeberlein
7801 Long Beach Boulevard
Harvey Cedars, NJ 08008
609-661-1586
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Topsail Steamer
Brian Gove
2608 Long BEach Boulevard, Unit 3
Ship Bottom, NJ 08008
609-494-7686