Business & Tech
Chamber Speeds Through Networking
Taking a cue from speed-dating, the Suffield Chamber of Commerce introduced new and current members at a rapid-fire event.
Thirty-two people moved like a giant gear in the dining room of the Suffield Country Club on Thursday night. They shook hands, exchanged information and moved in sync at the sound of the train whistle.
It was all part of the Suffield Chamber of Commerce's new Speed Networking event, designed to let prospective members realize the benefits of chamber membership.
“This is a year we’re trying to experiment and do some new programming,” said John Smith, president of the chamber, as he welcomed the group.
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After enjoying cocktails and hors d’oeurves, the members and guests arranged themselves in two circles and greeted each other. Each person had a minute to speak about their business. At the sound of the whistle, the other person began to talk. Another whistle meant it was time to rotate.
“What I like about this is everybody gets chance to talk,” explained Krystal Holmes, the event's organizer. “No one goes off into groups to talk.”
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Participants said they enjoyed the high-energy event.
“I’ve been to other speed-networking events and this one was really efficient,” said Heather Conley, a local photographer. “I got to meet a lot of people in a short amount of time.”
Chamber board members were pleased with the turnout.
“We thought ‘well, there’s speed dating, why not speed-networking?'” said Sue Thorner, chamber board member.
The next chamber event is Business After Hours at the Tunxis Grill in Windsor on Wednesday from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. with the Tobacco Valley Chamber Association. Participants can learn about this Windsor restaurant and enjoy refreshments, participate in a raffle and network with Chamber members from the seven Tobacco Valley Chamber Association members: Windsor, Bloomfield, East Granby, East Windsor, Granby, Suffield and Windsor Locks. The Tunxis Grill is located at 3 Tunxis Street.
Free to Windsor Chamber, TVCA and Metro Hartford Chamber members, $5.00 for non-chamber members. Please call 860-688-5165 or visit www.WindsorCC.org for more information. Check out the Suffield Chamber of Commerce website at www.suffieldchamber.com.
