Coaster Photo
Matt Whelan is the new executive director of the Asbury Park Chamber of Commerce. He is pictured with Emma Sylvia, marketing assistant.
By ED SALVAS
Matthew Whelan takes over as executive director at the Asbury Park Chamber of Commerce as Sylvia Sylvia Cioffi moves into City Hall as head of the Urban Enterprise Zone.
Whelan had been the assistant executive director and marketing coordinator since 2016 but has been with the chamber since 2012 when he started working with then Director Jackie Pappas.
The promotion puts him in charge at a crucial time for the xhamber, heading into the Summer season and three weeks away from AsburyFest, the weekend of June 7, 8 and 9 and the Chamber’s biggest money-raising event.
AsburyFest was moved up from September to June after being hit by storms last year. The new time also allows for more hours of daylight and leads into the annual North to Shore Festival starting June 10.
“We had a big drop-off (in members) after Covid,” Whelan said, but the membership is now growing with 300 members. “We’re averaging a new member a week.”
The membership is not only for Asbury Park businesses but anyone who wants to do business in Asbury Park. Two bright spots for Asbury Park are the reopening of the House of Independents on Cookman Avenue this summer and the potential reopening of the Paramount Theater on the boardwalk following renovations.
Whelan said feels comfortable taking over as executive director after working with the two previous directors, Sylvia Sylvia Cioffi and Jackie Pappas. He also worked with two who were involved with the chamber for many years: Both Joan Flatley and Ken Roth.
Whelan has a degree in theater from Montclair State University and did marketing for the Premier Theater Company for many years. He appeared in their annual production of “Scrooge” where he performed in several roles.
The chamber has an office space in The Coaster building at 1011 Main St. Working with Whelan in the office is Sylvia Cioffi’s daughter Emma, a graduate of Pace University, as marketing assistant. They are working on plans to bring back the Carousel Awards dinner in the fall. The event has not been held for a couple of years.
Sponsors are still being sought for AsburyFest which will feature live music by 11 local bands, including Whelan’s own band, Jimmy Shoez and the Magooz. For sponsorship information go to www.AsburyParkChamber.com.or 732-775-7676.
