By Fran Pelham. Historical photographs courtesy of the Southern Ocean Chamber of Commerce Archives
Long Beach Island, New Jersey has come a long way in 110 years. In 1914, stunning hotels, including the Baldwin and Engleside, graced the coastline; summer visitors found a magnificent 18-mile barrier island, a place to boat, fish, and play. Some built summer homes. Others became full-time residents. And a brave few found the perfect place to start a business.
In May of 1914, a small group of dreamers with a vision for the future of Long Beach Island founded The Long Beach Island Board of Trade, known today as The Southern Ocean Chamber of Commerce. Since its inception, the Chamber has strengthened the LBI community, promoting business and tourism, and encouraging responsible growth through the development of infrastructure.
“The mission of the chamber is to provide business support and resources through multiple channels and in-person events,” said Lori Peppenella, CEO of the Southern Ocean Chamber of Commerce. These events include the annual Christmas Tree Lighting and Parade, fishing tournaments, and perhaps most famously, the Chowderfest. In fact Long Beach Island was named the chowder capital of New Jersey in 2018.
Moreover, the Chamber has assisted the community in less visible ways — raising substantial funds for local hunger relief and the development of infrastructure, paving of safer roads, public sewers, and water. In its earliest days, the Board of Trade had a part in the construction of the 1914 Causeway. It was instrumental in the 1959 and 2014 bridge projects and the current Causeway bridge. Now, in its 110th year, the Chamber and its nearly 600 members continue to play a vital role in support of the $4.2 billion tourism in Ocean County.
At every turn, the Chamber has helped Southern Ocean County navigate numerous disasters, sometimes through uncharted waters, that have threatened the region’s quality of life and financial sustainability.
In 2012, after the devastation of Superstorm Sandy, the Chamber opened the Business Emergency Response Center the day after the storm, launched the Super Storm Sandy Response, and was the first in New Jersey to host a Small Business Administration Recovery Center. More recently, the Chamber provided a regional response to COVID-19 that received recognition for recovery programming and post pandemic support.
Since 2015, The Southern Ocean Chamber of Commerce has received continuous recognition as one of the top Chambers of Commerce in New Jersey. Today, with its vision always fixed toward the future of LBI, The Southern Ocean Chamber of Commerce continues its mission.
1914: The Long Beach Island Board of Trade, today known as Southern Ocean Chamber of Commerce, is founded. Their mission: To promote businesses and foster tourism.
1938: The first local guidebook was published, and has since served as the main resource for tourism information and a guide to the LBI community for visitors.
1942: Officially operating as a staffed visitor center, running educational programs out of the office.
1945: The first Long Beach Island Christmas Tree Lighting held at the traffic circle in Ship Bottom.
1954: The first Striped Bass Derby – A competition for surf anglers – is held.
1958: The Chamber becomes sponsor of the Miss Magic LBI Pageant.
1959: The Chamber becomes an instrumental part of the Causeway and bridge projects.
1989: The first annual Chowderfest was held in Beach Haven.
2007-2008: Officially renamed Southern Ocean Chamber of Commerce. Wedding Road Show & Party Planning Tour became the premier wedding event in southern New Jersey.
2012: Founded Superstorm Sandy Response, and opened Business Emergency Response Center the day after the storm. First in state to host a SBA recovery center.
2015: Recognition as one of the Top Chambers of Commerce in New Jersey.
2020-2021: COVID-19 regional response with ongoing support and destination marketing and management. Received recognition for recovery programming and ongoing post pandemic support.
2024: Celebrating 110 years of continued service.
