Search Results for: mixer

Seven Springs Multi-Chamber Mixer


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Kick off 2022 at Seven Springs Mountain Resort on January 7 for a joint collaboration of over 30 first-class Western PA organizations and business networking reception, organized by the Pittsburgh Business Exchange (PBEx).

Enjoy cocktails and light fare at this annual gathering of business professionals. Discounted room rates and lift tickets are available to all participants.

The Venango Chamber is excited to be partnering on this event. See the insert in this newsletter for more information and register at WinterKickoff2022.com.

This article was published in the Venango Chamber’s December 2021 VenangoWorks! Newsletter.

Plan Your 2020 Mixer Now


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In the past year, we have featured three articles about the art of the Business After Hours Mixer. We know how quick calendars can fill up, so we invite you to start planning for 2020 right now.

Are you interested in hosting a Business After Hours Mixer in 2020? Several businesses have already reserved a date for the coming year. Contact the Chamber as soon as possible to secure a date.

Not sure if hosting a mixer is right for your business? Contact us to learn more about the benefits of hosting an event and learn about the many options to ensure your event meets your goals for spotlighting your business.

This article was published in the Venango Chamber’s November 2019 VenangoWorks! Newsletter.

Mixers, More Than Just Networking


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Business After Hours Mixers have long been a main stay of Chambers of Commerce. These short gatherings, just at the end of the workday, include refreshments, a few door prizes and a mix of other chamber members. While those who attend may vary depending on a mixers host, the location and scheduling, there are members who frequently attend and those who never do. If you are the latter, we’d like to suggest you consider a few of the reasons you might want to give a try.

Relationships – Mixers are hosted by businesses to invite others to visit their location, sometimes to celebrate an accomplishment, or perhaps just to give exposure to products and services. Either way, attendance is a show of support that is always appreciated. When you visit a member’s event, they understand that you are busy but still willing to show them support with your attendance.

Information Gathering – We often think we know our community, but in the busyness of our own lives, we often miss the changes taking place. From new staff members to significant investments in products, services or infrastructure, information can often best be gathered through a visit, and a mixer can be a unique opportunity to get inside a business.

Preparation for Your Mixer – You may not be planning it now but hosting a mixer might be something you want to do in the future. It’s best to attend other mixers to get a sense of what you’d want to do as a host. Just like any social invitation, those who you have supported are most likely to support you.

There are several mixers still planned for 2019, each an opportunity for you to test out these suggestions. One of those mixers is hosted by FLEX and will be held in the courtyard of the Venango Chamber on August 22. FLEX members promise to help you build better relationships with local young professionals, learn about how to better engage them, and will set a great example for your next get together. We hope to see you there!

This article was published in the Venango Area Chamber of Commerce’s August 2019 VenangoWorks! Newsletter.

Making Your Mixer Memorable


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Mixer at Deer Creek Winery

In the last two issues of VenangoWorks!, we’ve shared why mixers remain a valuable opportunity to bring members of the business community together and then how to go about planning to host an event at your business.

Now, we’d like to encourage you to consider how you can make your mixer as unique as your business. At one time, mixers were considered to be the like of a clique, getting together just to “hob nob” and share drinks after work. In the last decade, we have seen these events take on a very different flavor, each uniquely planned by the business or organization hosting. 

While some things just seem to work well, like inviting people to stop by from 5 to 7 p.m., before retiring to home for the evening; everything else is open to your designs.  They can be held inside or out and include elaborate feasting, light appetizers, or desserts.  While many hosts opt to serve beer and wine, it is not necessary to serve alcohol to have a successful event.

Mixer at Deer Creek Winery

So, why not plan for how you can make a memory around your business and plan a business after hours that will keep your business top of mind for months or even years to come?

The real key is to get excited about your business and help us tell people why now is the time to visit you.  Are you celebrating an accomplishment? Are you a new business or simply have something new to share, like a remodel or new products? Some of the most memorable mixers have included a theme.  Who could forget the Hawaiian shirts and limbo contest more than a decade ago?  And the annual joint Christmas mixer at Cross creek each December makes it on our calendar months in advance, a sure sign of the upcoming holiday.

This article was published in the Venango Area Chamber of Commerce’s April 2019 VenangoWorks! Newsletter.

How to Host a Business After Hours Mixer


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Are you looking to meet local business owners, or introduce your new business, products, or services to the community? A mixer is an excellent way to get together in person and gain new contacts. If you want to gain more exposure for your business and increase your company’s brand awareness, consider hosting a chamber mixer. Here are some tips for doing so:

Consider Your Guest List

The main point of hosting a business mixer is to network with fellow business owners, managers, and employees. The Chamber will promote your mixer and extend an invitation to all other members, but you can create a guest list which reflects your business’s goals. Let us know who you really would like to see there and feel free to extend an invitation directly to those you know personally.

Location, Location, Location

Choosing the right venue for your mixer is important. If possible, you should host your event in your business; this will get people into your location and promote your services or products. If your business space isn’t large enough, consider a venue with plenty of room to mingle but quiet enough for guests to easily converse. Perhaps you can co-host your mixer with another Chamber member who has a great space. A location that is visually pleasing and comfortable will make a lasting impression on your attendees, and catering and beverages services are a must!

Make It Fun

You want your guests to enjoy themselves, stay throughout the event, and associate your company with the mixer, so don’t think the evening has to be “all business.” Consider including entertainment, music, and door prizes, to put your guests in a great mood.

Remember It’s About Networking

Create an atmosphere that encourages mingling. Don’t place too many chairs and tables around; instead, make sure people are walking around, talking, and exchanging information. Include a table to display merchandise or brochures about your services and products. Finally, remember to keep it light and talk with as many guests as you can; try not to overwhelm the evening with speeches and presentations.

Set the Date

Contact the Chamber a few months ahead of when you’d like to schedule your mixer, so we can make sure the date is available, design an invitation, and begin letting our members know about the mixer.

Support Others

People like to support those who support them.  Plan to attend other Chamber mixers before yours.  Come and begin building relationships with other members and personally extend the invitation to them to visit your business.

Contact us at (814) 676-8521 or chamber@venangochamber.org, or stop into our office at 24 Seneca Street in Oil City to begin planning your chamber business after hours mixer.

This article was published in the Venango Area Chamber of Commerce’s March 2019 VenangoWorks! Newsletter.