Staten Island's entrepreneurs network with speed photos
Back to Main MenuEditorialsLetters to the EditorDaniel LeddyTom WrobleskiBack to Main MenuDining OutCooking and RecipesRestaurant GuideDrinks and BarsStaten Island CookbookHealthy EatingMy Recipe BoxSOUTH BEACH Every time the bell rang and it rang at least 100 times Thursday night a businessperson made a connection.The Staten Island Economic Development Corporation's "Ultimate Networking" event at The Vanderbilt at South Beach, which drew 219 entrepreneurs, dovetailed neatly with Islanders' distaste for beating about the bush.The format was akin to "speed dating,cheap champion nba jerseys free shipping For Sale from China," as participants, color coded by industry, were afforded two minutes to get to know each other before moving to a new station. Following the frenzy, they repaired to another room for food and more leisurely overtures.The oft sounding bell testified to the affair's success."All the business groups on the Island network among themselves, but this is a way of getting them all together with people they don't normally see or meet," said Cesar Claro,Wholesale MLB Jerseys - Wholesale MLB Jerseys Free Shipping From China, the organization's president and CEO.This year, the SIEDC partnered with Staten Island business groups to promote the event to all members of the SIEDC, the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce, the Bucks Business Network, Staten Island Board of Realtors, Rotary Clubs of Staten Island and the National Association of the Remodeling Industry Home Improvement Contractors."Staten Island is a very dynamic place for people doing business,cheap mlb jerseys china|http://active-tools.com/Product.html|active-tools.com/Product.html}, because it's done in an old fashioned style. It's done face to face. It's who you know,Good Quality cheap kids nba jerseys for sale Online, not what you know," said Ryan Goldberg, SIEDC ambassador of the event and director of Circle Urgent Care in Bulls Head."With speed networking, you're able to remember what someone looks like when you pick up the business card they gave you," he added.With three rows of cocktail tables, businesspeople lined up and had about two minutes to exchange business cards, and give a quick pitch about their business and what they have to offer their fellow entrepreneur.Then the bullhorn sounded and each businessperson moved down the line to meet the next potential "match.""Speed networking is like speed dating," said Cory Schifter, owner of Casale Jewelers in Dongan Hills and an SIEDC member. "This is a good way to introduce yourself in a comfortable way."Everyone who participated in the event made at least 28 connections, said Alexander Federico, a project manager for Coastal Plumbing Supply in Stapleton, and a member of the SIEDC team that orchestrated the event.After the speed networking portion of the event, participants were able to gather in the main ballroom to further their networking opportunities."These events have helped me get business. It's helped me make loans and get accounts," said Philip Guarnieri, president and CEO of Empire State Bank, who attended for the third straight year.Said Dave Rampulla,buy authentic jerseys cheap, president of the Dongan Hills based Ferry Ads,wholesale soccer jerseys thailand, "I got to speak to a lot of people. I met bankers, contractors, and one builder was a very good prospective lead for me. There are two or three people I got to meet that would have otherwise taken me hours, maybe days or weeks of networking to meet."He noted that networking in the borough isn't as simple as it is in other places in the country."Staten Island business owners have to stick together; we're all facing the same challenges. Networking here is different. When you're in Ohio, your market goes 300 miles in all directions. But on Staten Island your market is confined within the borders," said Rampulla, who also is president of the Bucks Business Network.Newcomers to the speed networking format said they were surprised at how quickly they were able to make business contacts."This is really unique. I've never been to something like this," said James LaPiedra a partner of Guided Professional Solutions, and president and CEO of ID 360 in Richmond Valley."This gives you the opportunity to get face to face with people. You have more opportunity to meet someone in a room that's packed than when you're doing what we call 'gripping and grinning,'" he added.Said Frank Sardina, president of the Dongan Hills based Sardina Sons Contracting, "I got to network with banks who can offer loans. . As a small business owner this was a great opportunity to meet new people who can provide new experiences for me."
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