HERMISTON, Ore.- The Hermiston Chamber of Commerce held a Spring Speed Networking luncheon for local businesses at Midway Bar and Grill on April 22.
“We’re thrilled to be here, it’s a more intimate setting with smaller tables,” said Val Hoxie, Executive Director of the Hermiston Chamber of Commerce, of having the event at Midway. “It’s a great opportunity to connect with other businesses and learn about their challenges and successes.”
New and established businesses, nonprofits, and service organizations ranging from staffing and recruitment services and the American Legion to construction services, sunshades and more were represented at the event.
Miranda Rector, founder of World Beyond Barriers, a new full-service travel agency in Hermiston, attended the event to make business connections and get the word out about her services.
Rector offers travel advisory services to help families, especially those with accessibility needs, plan stress-free, inclusive vacations.
Between 20 and 25 businesses registered for the spring speed networking event, the third one put on by the Hermiston Chamber this year, with about 40 employees, owners and representatives of those businesses attending.
“We couldn’t really work outside today because of the weather, and I saw the post about the speed networking event and figured I’d come see what it was all about,” said Tyler Olea, founder of Xotix Outdoor Care, a landscape design, installation and maintenance company in Hermiston.
Demand for the speed networking event remains high, according to Hoxie, with somewhere between 60 and 70 businesses attending one of the events in the past year.
“The more money we can keep local, the more businesses that draws in,” said Hoxie. “When dollars stay local, that supports sports teams, service organizations, foundations, and the Hermiston community.”
Attendees held informal one-on-one conversations, each lasting about two minutes in a sort of “speed dating” format, before moving to the next business or service for another conversation.
The speed networking format was designed to allow business owners and representatives to quickly make connections by sharing what they do, while identifying potential areas of collaboration that could be followed up on in the future.
The networking event was also an opportunity for businesses to hear about the latest Hermiston Chamber news.
“Becoming a Chamber member is probably one of the most valuable things a business can do, investing in themselves and their employees is important,” said Alex Boecke, Marketing Director at the Hermiston Chamber. “We try to tailor benefits to individual members, and we work with them to get where they want to be.”
In addition to groundbreakings, ribbon-cutting ceremonies and open houses, the Hermiston Chamber is there to support local businesses whenever they need it.
The Chamber recently launched Resource Lunches, classes on business-related topics, such as social media basics or how to use Canva, taught by Boecker in small gatherings of members and the Chamber Board.
Boecker was also instrumental in creating the Hermiston Chamber’s “Brand Kits,” a new resource available to help members with their marketing needs.
The Chamber worked with the Umatilla County Fair on its first Brand Kit, that includes a one or two-page write-up, facts about the business, the mission, official colors and logos, and other marketing materials.
“We work with the business or organization’s marketing team throughout the creative process,” said Boecker. “It’s a new benefit for members that creates a brand standard that can be used to promote their business.”
Following several rounds of speed networking, attendees enjoyed lunch catered by Midway Bar and Grill, as they continued cultivating newfound business connections.
More information about the Hermiston Chamber of Commerce, its services, resources and member businesses is available online.
