Issue 1112
25
Business networking in Southpointe
Not Just Another Lunch It’s Monday morning at the office sales meeting. I look at this week’s agenda. I see a memo from my boss. He asks me to go to a lunch. I grimace at the thought of another boring lunch as I pick at my rubber chicken and drink my watered down coffee while listening to a droning speaker rattle on about the 48 reasons I screwed up on my retirement plans. Reluctantly I open my web browser to www.southpointe. net and click on the event calendar. To my surprise my palate shifts from bland chicken to fine Italian cuisine at the exclusive Bella Sera venue. Even though my boss is paying for it, I’m impressed with the all-inclusive $13 price…a pleasant surprise while other chambers charge $30 or more. I then notice the agenda …instead of having the 45 minute monologue…it features a short interview with an interesting host, followed by a 45 minute meet and greet networking session. Having been jaded by campaign lies, I can’t believe this is true. Is this a come-on? It’s the day of the luncheon and I pull into the parking lot, slightly irritated with the number of cars and with the distance I have to walk. But then I realize…$$$$ signs spring from the roof of each car – a whole new potential for leads. I think, after all…I have never been able to get a lead from McDonalds. As I walk through the oak glass doors, I am surprised to see, instead of dropped ceiling, laminated desktops and folding office chairs, a beautiful indoor Italian courtyard, complete with stone arches, two story fireplace, and an elegant dining room style layout complete with white tablecloths and centerpieces. As I listen to light jazz on the Bose sound system, I hear interruptions of laughter, handshaking introductions and a general feel of excitement in the air. I am greeted with instructions to head for the buffet and then take a seat. The reality of the legendary Jason Capps’ palatable Italian entrees are arrayed before me. Am I really seeing a fresh salad bar with hot steaming soup, three entrees, and…Oh Yes! A dessert table?! I pinch myself wondering if I had a dyslexic moment and misread the price and it really is $31 instead of $13. I pick a table and sit down to be greeted by nine others with guest
tags reading names and companies they represent. I think “ this is good” ...I won’t have to worry about conversing with someone for 15 minutes only to find out that they are a local used car salesman, specializing in used Yugos, Oldsmobiles and Mercurys. As I took my first bite, I realized there was no line and that my name tag, registration and program were laid out in front of me. President Dale Risker immediately jumped into the program agenda by introducing Executive Director and Founder, Don Hodor, to announce the host. “Flood Lights,
Bella Sera is the official venue for the Southpointe Marcellus Shale Chamber network lunch.
camera, action!” started a humorous but informative interview being videotaped for YouTube and website viewing. The short 5 minute Larry King type segment was followed by an opening question opportunity that was punctuated with a series of prizes given away. The next 45 minutes felt like a dream (no, not a nightmare) as waves of individuals walked up to me to shake hands and offer their business cards. I knew I made a dumb mistake (is there such a thing a smart mistake?) as I realize I only have 20 business cards (I was sure to soon run out of bullets). What I thought was 45 minutes was really two hours. How could I leave such an opportunity with high energy people behind? Later in retrospect as I started my car, I glanced through my 40+ business cards I had collected from service and product energy related businesses. And then, a voice in my head rang out. Yes, Virginia…there is an effective chamber of commerce event and it’s called…the Southpointe Marcellus Shale Chamber of Commerce lunch.
Join Southpointe Chamber of Commerce Today! Call 724-873-7777 or visit our website www.southpointechamber.com