Oceanside Chamber hosts annual Summer Send-Off networking event

Posted Friday, September 11, 2026 8:00 am

Tina and Christopher Sasso, Oceanside Chamber members, attended the Oceanside Chamber of Commerce’s Summer Send-Off networking event on Aug. 26 at Old Spirit Distillery and Quattro Amici Winery.

Tim Baker/Herald

Joe Ponte, far left, Baldwin Chamber Recording Secretary Nancy Capozzi, Owner of Old Spirit Distillery John Dianellos and Roman Fuzaylov, far right, connected with fellow local business professionals during the Summer Send-Off.

Tim Baker/Herald

Kyle Rogers, left, Paul Messano, center, and Nick Parmiter, right, all of Oceanside, supported Quattro Amici Wine during an evening of community.

Tim Baker/Herald

Marsha Colatosti, left, Cinzia Colatosti, center, and Anna Makarevich celebrated the close of summer with members of local businesses.

Tim Baker/Herald

Baldwin Chamber Recording Secretary Nancy Capozzi, far left, Baldwin Chamber Treasurer Florence Sanicola, Baldwin Chamber Board Member Lyndell Senior and Baldwin Chamber Website Designer Mark Greenberg connected during the summer networking event.

Tim Baker/Herald

Floral Park couple Lauren Kennedy and Joey Gelman enjoyed the evening at Quattro Amici Wine, where Gelman’s father is the owner.

Tim Baker/Herald

By Abigail Grieco

As summer winds down, local business owners and professionals gathered to celebrate the season and strengthen connections at the Oceanside Chamber of Commerce’s annual Summer Send-Off networking event.

The Aug. 26 event, held in partnership with the Baldwin Chamber of Commerce, took place between two local businesses, Old Spirit Distillery and Quattro Amici Winery. The gathering gave members of the business community an opportunity to network, socialize and build relationships in a relaxed setting.

“Casual events, like the Summer Send-Off, make it easier for local business owners and professionals to build real relationships without the pressure or formality that can come with other events,” Brittany Humes, vice president of the Oceanside Chamber of Commerce, said.

Humes said the event is held annually at the end of the summer as a way to celebrate another season of business and community in Oceanside.

Beyond networking, the chamber hopes events like the Summer Send-Off encourage local businesses to collaborate and support one another. Attendees were able to meet fellow professionals, exchange ideas and make connections that could continue beyond the event.

“Our hope is that our local business owners and professionals leave the Summer Send-Off having met people they genuinely want to stay in touch with, discover opportunities to support one another, and feel more connected to their Oceanside business community,” Humes said.

Humes emphasized the importance of supporting businesses within the community, noting that shopping at local stores, dining at Oceanside restaurants and using services provided by local businesses all contribute to the strength of the local economy.

“When people shop at stores in Oceanside, eat at restaurants in Oceanside, or use services that are provided by businesses in Oceanside, they are then supporting our local economy,” she said.

Although summer is coming to an end, the Oceanside Chamber will continue its community involvement. The chamber will once again serve as a community sponsor for Oceanside’s annual Fall Festival, scheduled for Oct. 17.

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