Saugus Chamber of Commerce keeping busy

SAUGUS – Saugus Chamber of Commerce members got to enjoy a night of pizza and magic at Prince Pizzeria Tuesday night at the chamber?s family networking night.Executive Director Nichole DiModica said around 25 people attended as newer members got to meet and talk business with some of the chamber?s older members.Family night networking is for those people who don?t want to lose a night with their family to go out and network,” said DiModica. “You can take your kids with you and Prince provided a magician for the kids. There were some new chamber members meeting people that have been around for a while.”Greg Hayward from Saugus Auto Repair is one of the chamber?s newest members as is Karen Venezia, owner the new bakery Torte DiVenezia.DiModica said she tries to hold at least one event per month and is looking to do more “multi-chamber” events too.This Wednesday there?s an event at Chatter?s Restaurant in Showcase Cinema with the Winthrop, Revere, East Boston and Peabody Chambers of Commerce.?The multi-chamber ones are great for us to be able to get out of our own circle and network with other cities and towns,” said DiModica. “Just because you?re a tree company in Saugus doesn?t mean all your business will come from Saugus. Those multi-chamber networking events are very valuable. And for the cost of $15 you get appetizers and a movie ticket, so it?s a wash basically.”DiModica said there are just over 130 members in the Saugus Chamber of Commerce, which is up from about 120 when she took over last year.?I need to grow that definitely,” said DiModica. “My job in the first six months since I took over was really to nurture the existing relationships ? I?ve been spending time with all of our existing members to give them their return on investments they deserve.”DiModica said some of the benefits of joining the chamber include a second web presence, direct referrals from the chamber website, access to other members and networking events.Matt Tempesta can be reached at [email protected].