Business After Hours provides an opportunity for a company to introduce itself to the business community. This program allows the host/sponsor to showcase its business, services, and facilities to fellow Chamber members. It also offers members the chance to meet one another and network in a casual, relaxed atmosphere.
The Greater Mount Airy Chamber of Commerce holds a monthly networking event that is hosted by its members and is a benefit for its members to attend. This function is known as Business After Hours. The event is typically held every first Thursday of each month from 5:30pm to 7:00pm; dates for each Business After Hours are pre-determined. In preparation for hosting this Chamber event, it would be helpful to follow the guidelines listed below.
The normal attendance at these functions runs somewhere between 50-75 people; however, numbers have gone as high as 100 people depending on the location, time-of-year, and type of business. The Chamber will collect RSVPs and provide an estimate of the number of guests 7-10 business days before the event.
Themes are optional and are at the discretion of the host. Although, keep in mind, events are better attended when the Chamber advertises with a theme, some form of entertainment, and beverages. If you need assistance formulating ideas, the Chamber can help you with your planning.
After 6pm the Chamber staff will welcome everyone and go over any upcoming Chamber events. The host business will be introduced and then have the opportunity to talk about their business/organization and highlight their products or services. Chamber staff will then give out door prizes. The event ends at 7pm.
The hosting business will need to set up a table and two chairs at the entrance of the event to be used for greeting, business card collection, and for Chamber information display.
The host business is asked to provide one or more door prizes for the event. They can be anything to promote your business such as products or gift cards from your business or another Chamber member’s business. Door prizes are usually drawn around 6:15, following the program. At that time representatives of the Chamber will announce the winners. *Guests must be present to win.*
Business After Hours can be a great opportunity for your business or organization to gain recognition in the Chamber of Commerce community and business community as a whole. It is important to the Chamber that we take care of our members. We have a proven process to this event, but we will consider any change to the guidelines at your request.
The business hosting the event is providing the space and complimentary hors d’oeuvres. Although the Chamber does not charge the host to put on the event, we strongly recommend that you support other Chamber members in your planning. If it is not your business, Chamber members should provide all hors d’oeuvres, beverages, and services. Providing wine/beer at the event is optional and at the discretion of the host. If you plan to not serve alcohol, please indicate this either by notifying the Chamber staff or putting this in your interest form. The staff can provide you with a list of suppliers for your specific needs. It is best to keep the food simple but plentiful. Food set up in several locations is best so that the crowd circulates.
Casual networking is from 5:30-6pm. During this time guests will eat and mingle.
The Chamber deeply appreciates the efforts of each business that hosts this monthly event. It is also a wonderful opportunity for the hosting business to showcase themselves in the best light possible. Remember, the attendees are our local business community. Owners, management, and staff should be visible so that attendees will have the opportunity to meet their hosts.
After the event the host will receive a copy of the business cards collected during the event. This can be a great prospect list.