Chamber of Commerce has first in-person networking event since pandemic
Concerning in-person networking events, the Vallejo Chamber of Commerce and Vallejo Chambers Alliance is back in business.
For the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic hit, the chamber held an in-person networking event for local businesses Thursday night at Suite Treatments on Sonoma Boulevard. Approximately 85 people came to the mixer to introduce themselves to the community, mingle with members of other businesses and share possible opportunities.
“It went well and we have had a lot of positive feedback,” said Chamber of Commerce Membership Coordinator Tina Fowler. “We haven’t done something like this in 17 months. We talked about the importance of supporting each other in the community and also what to do if the city were to shut down again due to COVID.”
The alliance, which focuses on promoting business and community in all sectors of Vallejo. The alliance works on issues of mutual interest of the membership’s organizations.
For Fowler, the event was especially gratifying as she said one of the best parts of her job and a “real joy in life is to help connect people.
“I’m a people person and I love connectivity,” Fowler said. “There is a certain kind of connection you get from meeting someone in person that you can’t get by connecting with someone on Zoom. If you’re trying to connect on Zoom it’s usually because it’s a longstanding relationship or you have a very similar reason to be working together. In person you can really get to know someone a little better.”
People at the event included eight new members as well as many people from Leadership Vallejo, Solano County Library and many more. Fowler was out to spread the word about trivia nights coming back to the Vallejo Naval and Historical Museum.
The night started out with a networking game created by Fowler that involved poker cards. When a person entered the event they were given a card, whether it be a four, five, queen, jack, king or ace. The person then had to find others in the building with the same card as them.
“It was a game that is meant to get people to come out of their comfort zone and talk to people,” Fowler said. “It allows everyone to get past the small talk as the small talk is finding the other card. People will say, ‘What do you have? A four? Oh I saw that person had another four. Do you know who has the other queen?’ So it gets people talking to each other right away.”
Fowler said Suite Treatments was a great place to hold the networking event with it’s many rooms and ample space, but she’s already looking forward to the next business networking event on Aug. 26. That event will be at Solano Community College’s Vallejo Center at 545 Columbus Parkway.
The event will be another in-person mixer on the patio. Food and drink will be offered as well as a chance to network with other business associates. Sponsorships and marketing tables are available.
For more information call Curt Johnston at (707) 249-1667 or email him at curt.johnston@solano.edu.