MONROE TOWNSHIP, N.J., March 31, 2010 – For women in commercial real estate and related industries, networking is a vital part of business. As an alternate to traditional dinner and cocktail events, golf outings have always been a popular, relaxed environment at which business and deal making often take place and in many cases, to support local charities. Thanks to events like the Annual Golf Classic of the New Jersey Chapter of Industrial/Commercial Real Estate Women (ICREW NJ), more women in the industry are hitting the links.
“It is very important for women in the industry to know how to play golf,” stated Marcella Cassanelli Marchi, client services manager for NK Architects in Morristown, N.J., who started playing golf 15 years ago with encouragement from her husband. “Golf outings are terrific events, and those who don’t play are often left back at the office.”
This year, Marchi, along with Jean McDonnell of New Millennium Bank in New Brunswick, N.J., are co-chairs for ICREW NJ’s Ninth Annual Golf Classic to benefit the NJ Sharing Network. The event is set for Thursday, May 6, beginning at 10 a.m. at the Forsgate Country Club in Monroe Township, N.J. Open to the public, the fundraiser features a scramble format for 100 golfers to play 9 or 18 holes, while 45 golfers can participate in a beginner or intermediate clinic and then play 9 holes.
“Golf outings are a great way to network, which allows you to get to know three new business contacts in the golf foursome alone,” noted Deborah H. Cerbone, president of Deborah Cerbone Associates, Inc. in Rockaway, N.J., who will be playing in her second ICREW NJ outing this year. “The group tends to talk a little about business on the links, while enjoying a lot of laughs.”
Nine years ago, the Golf Classic began as a small clinic for members. Now the event includes a buffet lunch, as well as a dinner reception, featuring raffle drawings and awards. “During the dinner, the contacts you made on the course often will introduce you to other people they associate with,” added Cerbone. “It expands your circle of networking contacts so greatly in just one day.”
Founded in 1982, ICREW NJ is a non-profit organization that promotes communication and interaction between experienced female professionals in all facets of the commercial real estate industry. NJ Sharing Network is a non-profit organization responsible for the recovery of donated organs and tissue for the 4,500 New Jersey residents currently awaiting a life-saving transplant. Since it was founded in 1987, NJ Sharing Network has been committed to working with its hospital, community, volunteer and professional partners to increase the number of lives saved each year.
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About ICREW NJ
ICREW NJ, a non-profit organization, is the New Jersey Chapter of CREW Network, the Network of Commercial Real Estate Women. They are a full-service network of commercial real estate professionals and represent all disciplines of the commercial real estate industry including but not limited to accountants, architects, appraisers, asset/property managers, attorneys, consultants, developers, lenders, leasing and sales brokers, mortgage bankers/brokers, marketing specialists, market and investment analysts, corporate real estate representatives and title/escrow officers. Membership is open to qualified professionals in the commercial and industrial real estate field. For more information on the Golf Classic, membership or monthly meetings, contact ICREW NJ at 609-585-6871, or check out the organization’s web site at www.icrewnj.org.
About NJ Sharing Network
Founded in 1987, NJ Sharing Network is a non-profit, federally-certified, state-approved organ procurement organization responsible for the recovery of organs and tissue for the 4,500 New Jersey residents currently awaiting transplantation, and is part of the national recovery system, which is in place for the over 100,000 people on waiting lists. To register as a donor, residents can say “yes” on their driver license or go online anytime at¬† www.donatelifenj.org.