The card exchange gave people from both on and off the peninsula an opportunity to open a dialogue about increasing business opportunities in Rockaway. In an effort to expand and keep business in the Rockaways, the Rockaway Development and Revitalization Corporation hosted a business card exchange gathering at Arverne By The Sea last week.

"Business on the east end and west end must talk. Imagine if you can capture the millions of dollars leaving the Rockaways," said Kevin Alexander, the executive director of RDRC, noting that portions of the area, from the business district in Far Rockaway to Beach 116 Street, have been designated an Empire Zone by the city.

"Our goal is to help all the businesses in the Rockaways," said Alexander.

Representatives from event sponsor National Grid/LIPA; Dianne Dixon, the deputy superintendent of the New York State Banking Department; LaVida Jervis, president of the Rockaway East Merchants Association (REMA); and Laura Sporny, the sales manager for ABTS were among those taking part in the card exchange.

Among those attending were Joan Furey Palinkas, left, of one of the area's newest businesses, HSBC; Jared Walkowitz, second from left, the Empire Zone coordinator for the Mayor's Office of Industrial and Manufacturing Businesses; and Rockaway Chamber of Commerce president John Lepore, second from right. Jack Friedman, executive vice president of the Queens Chamber of Commerce, pledged his organization's support in advocating for businesses in the Rockaways and helping to rebuild the local Chamber of Commerce. Also pictured are Kevin Alexander and Linda Plummer of RDRC.