While business on the "Gold Coast" was once mostly industrial plants, it now features a variety of fields with leaders ready to help each other succeed during a tough economic period.

The Gold Coast Chamber of Commerce celebrated its one-year anniversary at Fleming’s Steak House and Wine Bar on the Promenade in City Place Sept. 18. There had been an area-wide chamber in the past but nothing the last few years.

"This is a very special area, different from the rest of New Jersey," Chamber President Brigitte Neumann said. "The atmosphere is so exhilarating being by the river."

The chamber ranges from Englewood Cliffs to Jersey City, Neumann said.

"With today’s economy we really need to help each other," Neumann said.

Borough Council President Neda Rose said that support is especially important during these economic times.

"The more local businesses that we support the more financially secure those towns will be," Rose said. "We have to protect our tax base."

Chamber Vice President Buddy Chick is operating partner of Fleming’s. Neumann said they like having affordable luncheons at upscale restaurants.

"It makes people feel good to be eating here and that’s why we chose a place like this," she said.

Chick said when he came to New Jersey he didn’t think there was growth in the state.

"But with all the condos and outlets opening it’s like a new growth area now," he said.

The luncheon was packed with members from a variety of fields.

"People have a tendency to stay with their own groups so we make sure that they mingle," Neumann said.

Annette Shandolow-Hassell, a "virtual assistant" for professionals, said she likes the diversity.

"Everyone does real estate in the area, but here we get a new group of people, fresh blood," she said.

Nicknamed the "Goddess of Referrals," she enjoys networking at these events and setting up mutual friends for business deals.

Steven Cohen is a regional sales manager for Times Systems International, an Englewood-based business that sells time clocks.

"We’ve been in business since 1920 starting with the old mechanical time clocks," he said. "We’ve changed with the times and now have clocks with biometrics hand scanners."

Cohen sees the chamber events as a good way to meet potential customers.

The chamber also holds educational events. Jacqui Atcheson of GMAC Mortgage leads a "power luncheon" every month that focuses on a different business skill.

Chamber Secretary Martino Vassallo, from Lemarc Hallmark store in Edgewater, said it all got started by them going to door to door in Edgewater.

Now the chamber has more than 100 members and Neumann said it’s hoping to get 200 by April.