Chamber Hosts 2025 “Aloha Island” Gala
On Friday, June 20, 2025, the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce hosted "Aloha Island" at The Vanderbilt at South Beach, the Chamber's 2025 Gala. The event transformed the waterfront venue into a tropical paradise for an evening of fun, networking, and dancing. The event welcomed members and guests into a vibrant Hawaiian luau-inspired atmosphere, complete with festive and attire, island and kitsch-themed décor, and the stunning backdrop of the Staten Island shoreline.
The evening began at 7:00 p.m. with a lively cocktail hour featuring background music, followed by a buffet and welcome remarks from Chamber President Linda Baran and Board Chair Carol Decina. Guests were greeted with colorful cocktails, including an hour of tiki bartending by Dom Provenzano of the Staten Island Chamber staff, who shook, poured, and garnished tropical drinks to set the tone for a fun and festive night.
Attendees were treated to a traditional hula and island dance performance that brought authentic energy to the room. Live music by Cause and the Effects kept guests dancing through two high-energy sets, while a fire demonstration lit up the outdoor space. Dessert was provided by Cake Chef indoors and Flipside Griddle outdoors, capping off the night with both spectacle and sweetness.
The gala would not have been possible without the generous support of our incredible sponsors. Big thanks to our Aloha Sponsors Atlantic Salt Inc., The College of Staten Island, and Empire State Bank. Hula Sponsor National Grid. Surfer Sponsors Amazon, Con Edison, DoorDash, and Northfield Bank. Kona Sponsors Angiuli & Gentile, Tekie Geek, Valley Bank, Safari Realty, Sherwin-Williams, Green Environmental Services, T-Mobile For Business, and Renewal by Andersen.
The event committee was led by Michele Esposito (Staten Island Chamber of Commerce) and co-chaired by Pamela DeRose (John Calabrese Financial) and Jeanne Sarno (Empire State Bank). The committee included:
Deliah Bell, Gaeta Green Environmental
Leilani Bernadskiy, With A Touch of Aloha
Maria Carrozza, Cake Chef Companies
Renee DeMatteo, Partners in Sound Productions
Lauren Grimaldi, Eden II School for Autistic Children
Laurie Guinta, Northfield Bank
Vincent Innocente, Northfield Bank
Dr. Janet Leslie, Gift of Experience, LLC
Sabrina Petrillo, Sherwin Williams Paint Store
Dan Ryan, Staten Island Media Group
Jennifer Sammartino, Community Media of Staten Island
Dina Shehadeh, Staten Island Chamber of Commerce
From the warm welcomes to the final dance, the Aloha Island Gala was a joyful celebration of the Chamber’s ongoing work to strengthen community connections, support local entrepreneurs, and promote economic vitality across the borough.
Photo gallery by Steve White, Staten Arts Photography. 📸
