News from the Middlesex Chamber - September 2019
Member Spotlight: The Blue Horse Restaurant is Already Making its Mark in Highland Park 
Joe Amore alongside a painting done by his mother for his restaurant The Blue Horse in Highland Park.
The Blue Horse Restaurant, on Raritan Avenue, is CAM Hospitality's newest endeavor as it hasn’t even been a year since they cut the blue ribbon, but Joe Amore, part owner, said that it has already become an important part of the Highland Park restaurant scene.

It was even recently named the “Best Restaurant for 2019” by the Edison Chamber of Commerce during its 22nd Taste of Middlesex event. 

Joe has been in the restaurant business since he was 14. He got his first job as a dishwasher at a local pizzeria and fell in love with the service industry. 

Joe’s love for food and entertainment led him to pursue a career in hospitality management, which eventually led him to form CAM Hospitality Group with his two partners, Dan Caputo and Jeff McNamara.

CAM Hospitality Group currently owns three establishments: the Pines Manor in Edison, the famous Skylark Diner in Edison and, of course, the Blue Horse Restaurant in Highland Park. 

“We’re so proud of how well the Blue Horse has been doing and we thank the community and the MCRCC for being so supportive of us,” said Joe. “At the Blue Horse, we provide good food at a good value and consistently great service.” 

Joe explained that he and his two partners created the Blue Horse for one purpose: to create a “one-stop-shop for food and beverage needs” in Highland Park.
 
Along with a menu that offers everything from vegan to bacon, the Blue Horse features bar bingo on Tuesday nights, live local entertainment Wednesday through Saturday, a delicious Sunday brunch and offers a private banquet space for events such as baby showers and graduation parties. 

The Blue Horse, along with CAM Hospitality's other two establishments, also offers off-site catering to fulfill all of your food and beverage needs. They offer an array of gluten-free and vegetarian dishes as well as vegan options. 

“Before we opened, we talked with the neighborhood about what they wanted and that’s how we crafted such a diverse menu,” said Joe. “We honestly have something for everyone here and we’re always open to new ideas from customers.” 

“You could eat around the world in Highland Park with its diverse restaurants and we’re happy to add something special to the restaurant district here,” Joe added. 

Joe and his team pride themselves on stocking beer from local breweries and making seasonal changes to their menu to reflect the local produce available. They are also very involved in the community by sponsoring local blood drives and providing food for the Rutgers Dance Marathon which benefits the Embrace Kids Foundation.

Joe has been a member of the Middlesex County Regional Chamber of Commerce for more than 10 years and even sat on the board for the Convention and Visitors Bureau years ago. He said that after all these years, he and his company still benefit from their chamber membership. 

“Being a part of the chamber has helped our company as a whole tremendously from the networking opportunities it offers to the promotional aspect, we’re proud to be an active member,” he said. 

Make sure to stop in to see a live band and enjoy a signature “Blue Horse Special” cocktail or try the famous roast brisket sandwich. Don’t forget to say hi to Joe if you see him. 

The Blue Horse is open for lunch and dinner, from 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Tuesday to Thursday, 11:30 a.m. to 1 a.m. on Friday and Saturday and from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Sunday. 

The restaurant also offers online ordering and delivery through its website. Click below for more information. 
Don't Miss the Global Opportunities Business Summit on Sept. 13
MCRCC is excited to once again partner with the Princeton-Mercer Chamber of Commerce for its fifth-annual Global Business Summit, Sept. 13, 8-11 a.m. at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in Princeton. 

The Summit is the largest Global Business event in Central New Jersey and filled with multi-chamber, regional and international networking opportunities. 

Two high-profile keynote speakers will be catching the eyes and ears of all attendees: Kathy Wyrofsky, President of International Products Corporation, and Ian Steff, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Manufacturing for the U.S. Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration. 

Wyrofsky and Steff will discuss pressing topics, including challenges in global markets and knowing how to enter the international marketplace.
Mark Your Calendars for the Largest Networking Party on Sept. 16
Launched in 1992, the Largest Networking Party (LNP) was created to offer an exciting and relaxed networking opportunity to business partners of Central Jersey. 

In its 27th year, the Middlesex County Regional Chamber of Commerce is celebrating all that Middlesex County has to offer with a distinguished event on Monday, Sept. 16 that tops all others. 

Held at the Hyatt Regency in New Brunswick, located at 2 Albany St., hundreds of professionals swarm to the largest showcasing of Central Jersey businesses each year, making it the event not to miss.

The event will be held from 5 - 8 p.m. this year. We hope to see you there. 
Join Us for a Special September 'Eat, Meet, Wine and Greet' on Sept. 24
Enjoy good conversation, light refreshments and, of course, wine at this special “after hours” meet and greet. Don’t forget to bring your business cards and your appetite. 

The event will be held on Sept. 24 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Provident Bank in East Brunswick, located at 208 Rues Lane. 
MCRCC Breakfast Series: Education, Entrepreneurship and Innovation on Oct. 8 
You won’t want to miss the first event of the Chamber’s Breakfast Series: “Education, Entrepreneurship and Innovation” on Tuesday, Oct. 8 at the Rutgers University Visitors Center, at 100 Sutphen Road in Piscataway. 

Rutgers- New Brunswick Chancellor, Dr. Christopher J. Molloy will be the keynote speaker and the 7th Annual New Jersey Immigrant Entrepreneur Awards will also be presented. 

Join us from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. for some delicious food and an engaging guest speaker.  
Calling All Ladies: Annual Women’s Leadership Summit on Oct. 18  
Ladies, here’s an event you won’t want to miss. Join the Chamber at the annual Women’s Leadership Summit on Friday, Oct. 18 at The DoubleTree by Hilton Somerset Hotel and Conference Center at 200 Atrium Drive in Franklin Township from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. 

This year’s theme is “Create Your Own Story” and the goal of this event is to provide essential tools for the development of today’s and tomorrow’s woman leaders. 
This event features a breakfast networking session, panel discussion, roundtable discussions, wellness expo, lunch and a keynote address. 

Sheriff Mildred Scott of Middlesex County Sheriff’s Office is the keynote speaker and Veronica Findlay from the Center for Great Expectations will be the philanthropic lunch speaker. 
Fun-Filled Member Orientation Held Sept. 6
The Chamber held yet another member orientation on Sept. 6 where new, current and prospective members got a chance to meet the staff and learn about the many benefits of Chamber membership. 

After a brief presentation, members enjoyed bagels and coffee, courtesy of Investors Bank in New Brunswick. 

Check out our website for more details on becoming a chamber member at mcrcc.org . Why wait? 
Congratulations and Welcome to the New Brunswick Performing Arts Center
Pictured above: Dignitaries at the Sept. 5 ribbon cutting of the New Brunswick Performing Arts Center.

Pictured below: New Brunswick Mayor Jim Cahill as he addressed the crowd at the ribbon cutting ceremony.
A new era began on Sept. 5 as the New Brunswick Performing Arts Center, located on Albany Street, held its ribbon cutting ceremony followed by the showing of their first performance, “Paul Robeson.” 

Residents from all over, local officials and dignitaries flooded the streets to witness this momentous occasion which took almost 12 years to come to fruition. 

The NBPAC features more than 200 apartment units, two theaters, six rehearsal spaces, a lobby/bar area, office space and a 344-car parking garage. 

The center will be home to four companies; American Repertory Ballet, George Street Playhouse, Rutgers University Mason Gross School of Arts and Crossroads Theatre Company. 

New Brunswick Mayor Jim Cahill was among the several guest speakers at the event. 

“It goes back to the 1970s when New Brunswick was a city in decline — when community change makers, local artists and elected officials reinvigorated the arts here in our city as a transformative force in New Brunswick, serving as an economic engine but also fueling the heart and soul of our community,” he said. 

Other speakers included Christopher Paladino, President of New Brunswick Development Corporation, one of the Managing owners of the New Brunswick Performing Arts Center, New Brunswick City Council President John Anderson, Middlesex County Freeholder Director Ronald Rios and Interim Executive Director of the New Brunswick Cultural Center, Tracey O’Reggio. 

The curtain rose on NBPAC with Crossroads Theatre Company’s “Paul Robeson.” Written by Phillip Hayes Dean, the show chronicles the glorious and complicated life of the scholar, athlete and activist. The production coincides with Rutgers’ commemoration of the 100th anniversary of Robeson’s graduation from the university.
Delicious August Networking Breakfast Was Held on Aug. 16
There was plenty of networking going on at the chamber's August Networking breakfast on Aug. 16 at Due Mari in downtown New Brunswick. 
Members enjoyed a delicious breakfast, ice breakers and great conversation to kick-start their Friday in beautiful Middlesex County. 

This month’s breakfast was hosted by Johnson & Johnson Director of WHQ Facilities Management Jay Driscoll who put emphasis on the importance of networking even if its not in one's preferred field. 

“You never know where a connection will take you,” he said to attendees. 

Chamber networking breakfasts are a great opportunity for members to network with the best of the local business community, develop new connections and further grow their businesses. 
Members Had a Blast at a Joint Meet and Greet with the South Brunswick EDC on Aug. 13 
There was tons of chewing and chatting at this joint meet and greet with the South Brunswick Economic Development Committee on Tuesday, Aug. 13. 

Members and other attendees enjoyed complimentary light fare and a cash bar while networking with the best of Middlesex County’s business community. 
Mark Your Calendars!
2019 Global Opportunities Summit

DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Princeton, 
4355 Route 1, Princeton
Friday, September 13
8 - 11 a.m.

Largest Networking Party

Hyatt Regency,
2 Albany St.,New Brunswick
Monday, September 16
5 - 8 p.m.
September Networking Breakfast

Due Mari,
 78 Albany St., New Brunswick
Friday, September 20
8:30 - 10 a.m.


Meet, Eat, Wine and Greet

Provident Bank East Brunswick,
308 Rues Lane, East Brunswick
Tuesday, September 24
5 - 7:30 p.m.
Welcome, New Members! Welcome Back, Returning Members!
Membership Reflects Central Jersey’s Growing Business Community

The Middlesex County Regional Chamber of Commerce is pleased to welcome new members to our ever-growing Central Jersey business community. We are also grateful to our returning partners, who have renewed their commitment to the Middlesex County Regional Chamber of Commerce.

Welcome, New Members!
Morgan Stanley - Bouros
Divya Tellakula Cruise One
Khwarizm Consulting Inc.
H&L Marketing

Welcome Back, Returning Members!
Rotondo & Associates Inc.
First Bank - Hamilton
Tour Masters Productions
Jewish Federation in the Heart of NJ
V&L Ventures LLC
Global Furniture USA
NJ Small Business Development Center - New Brunswick
Unity Bank - Homann
PRAB Inc.
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