News from the GVCCC

GVCCC Member Happenings!

Events, Discounts, Resources

9 February 2011

Hello Members and Friends,

It seems Mother Nature has given us a reprieve for the weather, and I hope that means increased foot traffic to our local businesses. On that note, we encourage you to come out and shop this Saturday February 12 at the Valentine for the Village Shopping Spree and Raffle. See below for more details on this amazing shop local event!

Perplexed by all the tweeting and facebooking out there? Our seminar on Social Media is scheduled for Friday, February 11 and we hope you will attend. This seminar will help you figure out which social marketing tools are right for you and how to get started optimizing your virtual footprint. RSVP today!

Chamber President, Tony Juliano, testified before the City Council on Thursday regarding the possible entrance of Walmart into New York City. See below to read his full testimony.

Best,

The GVCCC

In This Issue

GVCCC President Stands Up for Small Business

Social Media Seminar

Shop Local - Love the Village

Chamber Member Pays Tribute to 9/11 Hero

Google Member Profile and Event Invitation

GVCCC President Stands Up For Small Business, Says "No" To Walmart In Our Area

GVCCC President Tony Juliano testified at the the City Council's hearing on Walmart last week.

He stood up for our Chamber's small businesses by stating, "After careful consideration and a thorough look at the neighborhoods served by the Greenwich Village-Chelsea Chamber of Commerce, we could find no suitable location for a Walmart megastore to set up shop and we would oppose them here should they choose to do so." Click here for the full text of Mr. Juliano's testimony.

We'll keep you posted on further developments on this important issue.

Social Media Seminar FRIDAY

Facebook, Twitter, Linked in...You may have heard of them, you may even be using them, but what is Social Media? What social media sites are right for your business, how are you to best use these tools to reach and engage more people, and how can these programs be used to expand your customer base? We will discuss strategies and best practices for using these low-cost tools to best optimize your exposure, develop relationships and drive sales.

In addition to a social media expert from Constant Contact, hear from a few member businesses who have used social media to varying degrees of success and who have out-of-the box ideas for you to consider in your social media endeavors!

If you are considering social media avenues or are currently using them and want to improve your use and measure the return of your usage, this seminar is for you!

This Friday, February 11
8:30AM - 10:00AM

Hosted by/at TD Bank

2 Wall Street (Corner of Wall and Broadway)

3rd Floor Conference Room

Members FREE

Non-Members $20

Seating is limited so RSVP today to lauren@villagechelsea.com or call 212.337.5923.

Thanks to TD bank for hosting this event!

Live Here. Love Here. Shop Here.

Show your support for the Village and the businesses affected by the closure of St. Vincent's by shopping within the area triangle below this Saturday February 12! We encourage you to spread the word by printing and posting this flyer in your business and/or posting details through your facebook and twitter!

Simply shop. Spend a minimum of $10 at any 3 businesses located within the designated area on February 12.
Bring your receipts to the LGBT Community Center at 208 W. 13th Street (between 10am and 3pm). The first 100 people receive a limited edition "love the village" t-shirt!
For every $10 spent, receive a raffle ticket for a raffle of amazing items from local businesses including Magnolia Bakery, Murray's Cheese Shop, Partners & Crime Booksellers, Tea & Sympathy, Roasting Plant and many more!
Event kicks off with opening remarks at 10am on the NW corner of 7th Avenue at Greenwich Avenue.

Businesses interested in including a raffle item(s) should contact the Chamber at lauren@villagechelsea.com or 212.337.5923.

This event is presented in partnership with Assemblymember Deborah J. Glick and is co-sponsored by Community Board 2, Congressman Jerrold Nadler, Manhattan Borough President Scott M. Stringer, Senator Tom Duane, and Speaker Christine C. Quinn.

Chamber Member Pays Tribute to 9/11 Hero

Chamber Board Member Peter C. Deluca, owner of the Greenwich Village Funeral Home, payed tribute to 9/11 hero Josephine B. Harris by arranging for her burial funeral after her family was unable to afford the cost.

To read more about this amazing story please visit the following links:

February Member Profile (Website):
Google

Member since: 2010

Address: 76 9th Avenue (111 8th Avenue)

ph: 212.565.0000
Type of Business: Technology

http://www.google.com/

http://www.google.com/corporate/nyc/index.html/

Google's mission is "to organize the world's information and make it universally accessible and useful," a purpose that has kept it at the forefront of technological innovation. The brand Google, most notably the search engine, has become a part of our permanent technical lexicon. But Google doesn't just exist on our computer screens or as a part of our vernacular, they are also our neighbor.

In 2006 Google moved into their current home at 76 9th Avenue (also 111 8th Avenue), and in 2008 they expanded across the street into Chelsea Market. In December of 2010 they bought their space, the former Port Authority building in the center of Chelsea. They announced their investment on their official blog stating "We believe that this is a great real estate investment in a thriving neighborhood and a fantastic city" (Read the whole post here).

Their building stretches between 15th and 16th streets, housing their over 2,000 employees, a number they are continuing to grow with the assertion that they are "hiring across the board." The Google offices have a distinctive corporate culture with thousands of Lego blocks, 150 Razor scooters, a game room, and a vintage computer exhibit, all at the disposal of their employees, called "Googlers." These unique amenities aim to promote employee productivity and creativity, two of the characteristics of "Googleyness." Their environment is meant to motivate and this motivation is what has kept Google's list of products and services expanding. Click Here for full a list of Google Products and Services.

Googlers take pride in their community and their policy is both to integrate with and to enhance their neighborhoods. East Coast Community Affairs Manager, Alex Abelin, emphasized the importance of being a good neighbor and an active member of the community: "To Google being a good neighbor is not just being here, but investing in our surroundings, through local schools, community organizations, and non-profits." Education is also a large part of Google's community outreach. Googlers conduct small to medium seminars to promote awareness of their products and services in order to improve capacity for small businesses and to bring companies into the 21st Century.

Please join Google and the Chamber on Tuesday March 22 for "Expanding Past Your Storefront", a seminar targeted to small businesses and demonstrating the various uses of how Google products can help widen your online presence to connect with old and new customers.

Visit the Event Calendar for more information! Email Cat@villagechelsea.com to RSVP!