Chamber Breakfasts Provide Nourishment and Networking
Ask any member of the Washington County Chamber of Commerce what their favorite chamber benefits are, and their response will likely include the chamber's monthly Third Thursday breakfast series.
Held in the Virginia Ballroom at the Abingdon Senior Center the third Thursday of every month except December and January, the chamber breakfasts draw about 80 business people for a hot breakfast, educational programs and the opportunity to meet and mingle with other local businessmen and women.
"It's a very good networking opportunity, and we've gotten excellent feedback from attendees," says Suzanne Lay, executive vice president of the Washington County Chamber of Commerce. "We draw a business card at each breakfast, and the person whose card is drawn gets to stand up and give an infomercial about their business. At the end of each breakfast, we also encourage everyone to draw a card and make an effort to introduce themselves to that person during the coming month."
The breakfasts typically include homemade waffles, eggs cooked to order, fresh fruit, yogurt, bacon or sausage links, biscuits and gravy, and coffee. Thanks to sponsoring businesses, the event is free for chamber members. Non-members can attend for $10, and many have joined the chamber just so they can attend the breakfasts for free.
"It has been a great way to obtain new members," Lay says. "Our sponsors develop the program each month, and it is always very interesting. It gives our members a lot of information they may not have had the opportunity to know about otherwise."
Sponsors for the 2010 Third Thursday breakfast series include Alpha Natural Resources, Wellmont Bristol Regional Medical Center, TruPoint Bank, the Virginia Farm Bureau, First Bank & Trust Co., Abingdon Cleaners, Highlands Union Bank, The Office Place Inc., Virginia Highlands Community College Foundation and the Industrial Development Authority of Washington County. The theme for 2010 is "Let's do it again: Keeping Washington County wealthy and wise."
Program topics range from customer service to the importance of agriculture to the local economy. The breakfasts begin at 7:30 a.m. and conclude by 8:45.
Meanwhile, the chamber continues to offer a multitude of other member events and seminars covering everything from developing marketing plans to helping startup businesses. The chamber also sponsors the Leadership Washington County Program, which challenges individuals to become active in community affairs and enhances their leadership abilities. For more information, visit www.washingtonvachamber.org.
