To many, networking is a means to discover new business opportunities and fundraising sources. To others, it provides an arena in which new friendships can be found, old ones renewed and maintained.
On Thursday June 18, the Leduc Regional Chamber of Commerce hosted an after hours business mixer at the Halo Lounge in the Renaissance Hotel. This chamber event was the last networking opportunity before the summer break. A small group of chamber members and friends were welcomed by congenial chamber team members Jennifer Garries (executive director), Tracy Hartfelder, Jill Lange and Vanessa. The mixer agenda was a plentiful array of delicious appetizers, a tour of this modern hotel and live entertainment.
The Renaissance management booked a unique musician to perform that evening: Tammy Lamouche, a lovely and talented First Nations singer-songwriter, former Canadian Idol competitor and a U of A double major student, was accompanied by two skilled guitarists, Vanessa and Cassie. Tammy’s captivating voice and charismatic presence slowed conversation in the Halo Lounge, and applause for each song was vigorous and well-deserved.
Chamber functions are directed at members, but they also welcome non-members who might enjoy meeting local business people and getting a feel of this Chamber’s dynamics. During a few relaxed chats, interesting topics were discussed, such as the recent unveiling of the new flight simulator at EIA (Edmonton International Airport), a valuable training module owned by Canadian North and available to other carriers when schedules will allow.
Tony Valente, EIA’s manager of real estate development and a chamber board director, was passionate in describing the flight simulator’s acquisition and critical value; some guests who missed the event’s limited TV broadcasts expressed that it was tempting to ask for a special invite to view this expensive, fascinating piece of avionics training, hosted in a hangar south of the terminal. It was also interesting to hear that the Collection at EIA, the much-anticipated outlet mall is “vertical-ready”, meaning the ground is ready and the next phase of planning will start soon.
Nils Skalin, Leduc Branch manager of Servus Credit Union, surprised a few guests by quietly sharing his “other career”, that of a saxophone player who cleverly made plans before moving to Leduc to join a couple of regional jazz bands. Chamber friends are now waiting for an invite to hear Nils perform in the near future.
Regional friends are always welcome at chamber functions. Bas Kirby, business development manager with Jones Transportation, dynamically described the fascinating aspects of “flat bed hauling”: he enjoyed the networking and the group tour of the Renaissance Hotel’s chic and comfy suites.
Monthly chamber luncheons will resume after the summer break; if you are a business owner, operator, sales executive, or a business person wanting to experience the dynamic atmosphere of a large business event with interesting speakers, you will find Leduc’s chamber team helpful and welcoming, and you will see for yourself that networking pays off, every time!