Chamber Kicks Off Super Bowl-Sanctioned Pre-Game Event

The New York - New Jersey Super Bowl Host Committee has given the Mahwah Regional Chamber of Commerce’s Super Community Spirit Showcase its stamp of approval.

Local Politicians and Chamber members gathered at a luncheon Tuesday to officially kick off the Community Spirit Showcase, set to happen about two weeks before the big game is played at MetLife Stadium. Organizers say the event is one that will help translate the Super Bowl’s spirit of teamwork to Mahwah.

According to the Chamber, the Super Community Spirit Showcase – which has already been sanctioned by the Host Committee and is set to happen at the Sheraton Mahwah Hotel on January 22 – is meant to show off the work of 100 local non-profit organizations. The groups will set up tables at the event, and attendees will be able to learn more about what they do.

“It’s basically going to be a big party with a theme of teamwork,” Chamber President Martha Harvey, of Sharp Electronics, said. “Non-profits don’t operate without a team of volunteers. Businesses don’t operate without a team of employees. And we, as a Chamber, couldn’t operate without all of our members working as a team toward the same initiatives.”

The Chamber, she said, came up with the Showcase as a way to celebrate the teamwork prevalent in both football and the greater Mahwah community.

The Showcase will feature current and former football players and coaches, including Mahwah High School grad Kevin Haslam, who currently plays for the Detroit Lions. It will also have football memorabilia up for silent and live auction, raffles, food and drink, and the chance to help the non-profits headlining the event.

Throughout the night, attendees will vote for the non-profit of their choice, and the one with the most votes at the end will take home the proceeds of the night as a, “pretty sizable donation,” Harvey said.

Local politicians at the kickoff Tuesday commended the Chamber for putting together an event that they said ties football to the community.

The Super Bowl coming to Bergen County, “is an opportunity for this Regional Chamber of Commerce to rise to the occasion,” Mayor Bill Laforet said. “They are doing that with one of the premiere [pre-Super Bowl] events happening in the county.”

County Freeholder Tracy Zur said she is “excited” for the Showcase.

“The national attention will be on us. This is our opportunity to showcase Bergen County as a community,” she said.

The Super Bowl, “is a way for local businesses to bring money up to our respective communities, and a phenomenal way to showcase our businesses and local charities,” Assemblywoman Holly Schepisi added.

Between now and January, Chamber members said they’ll be working to involve non-profit organizations in the event, and securing business sponsors to help put it on.

Members say they expect 1,000 attendees at the Showcase.