Huntington Chamber’s Breakfast Series Presents Clark Gillies

The Huntington Chamber’s 2012 May Networking Breakfast will provide a great opportunity to kick-off the summer business season.  The breakfast will take place on Tuesday, May 22 and will be filled with great networking opportunities and insightful information as former New York Islanders Great and Hockey Hall of Fame Player Clark Gillies joins the organization for an entertaining business breakfast event.  This breakfast signifies the Chamber’s Annual Meeting and all are encouraged to attend.  The Chamber will update guests about its initiatives and accomplishments as well as introduce their very committed Board of Directors.  The program will take place at the Huntington Yacht Club (95 East Shore Road, Huntington), from 7:30 to 10 a.m.

Clark Gillies, born in Moose Jaw, Canada, was selected 4th overall in the 1974 NHL entry draft by the New York Islanders after several outstanding seasons in junior hockey with the Regina Pats of the WHL. In 1977, at age 22, Gillies replaced Ed Westfall as team captain and would lead the Islanders on an amazing run as 4-time consecutive Stanley Cup Champions from 1980 to 1983.  He continued his career with the Islanders until 1986 and then played for the Buffalo Sabres for two seasons, retiring in 1988.  Gillies #9 jersey was retired by the Islanders in December of 1996.  In 2002 he was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame.

Gilles continued his winning spirit, impacting Long Island, as he created the Clark Gillies Foundation, as a non-profit corporation focused on children that are mentally, physically, or financially handicapped. The foundation’s goal is to help improve the quality of life for children and encourage sports as a way to enhance their lives.  One of the most profound projects of the foundation is the Clark Gillies Pediatric Unit at Huntington Hospital, which the organization helped fund through a generous donation and fundraising campaign.

 “Our new Chamber breakfast format has been a phenomenal success.  The breakfasts are focused on fostering an effective networking environment with solid speakers who provide useful information within a fun and engaging program for all our members,” said Huntington Chairman Robert Bontempi. “Our breakfasts have been designed as a useful tool to build relationships with business colleagues as well as influential professionals with the skills, influence and/or funding to help support and grow business successfully," Bontempi added.

The program includes a significantly reduced ticket price of $25 for Chamber members and $35 for non-members. Each breakfast has a keynote speaker(s) who will provide valuable information and tips for doing business on Long Island.

The May Chamber Networking Breakfast is sponsored by Kushnick Pallaci PLLC; JVKelly Group; The Bristal; Newsday; and Nightingale PR.  Media Sponsors include Village Connection; Huntington Buzz; Village Tattler; Huntington Times; Long Islander and Anton Community Newspapers. Sponsorship opportunities are still available. For more information on the program, sponsorships or to register, call (631) 423-6100 or visit www.huntingtonchamber.com.

About the Huntington Township Chamber of Commerce: Incorporated in 1925 as a Chamber of Commerce in the Village of Huntington, the Huntington Township Chamber of Commerce represents the interests of business, industry, financial service, not-for-profit and other professionals within the greater Huntington area. Its mission is the promotion of business, economic development and job creation through the coordinated effort of its membership. The Chamber is dedicated to serving the needs of its members through government advocacy, networking, community development and education. In fulfillment of its service and community goals, the Chamber develops public policy positions; provides networking opportunities to create a stronger business environment; collects and analyzes data for dissemination of vital information and promotes economic development, job growth, education and an enhanced quality of life for all Long Islanders.