Chamber News & Views
By LYNNE CONLAN
Executive director, Sun City Center Area Chamber of Commerce
Do you realize that you can effectively conduct business after hours? No, please, don’t sigh.
I know. It’s after 5 o’clock, and you’ve had a long day. But what if I told you, you could actually enjoy cashing in on some business after your office doors are closed.
Every fourth Thursday of the month, the Sun City Center Area Chamber of Commerce makes it happen. By sponsoring a Business After Hours event at the chamber or your location, you can draw a crowd of other chamber members who could give you plenty of business referrals.
The chamber will spread the word to generate your captive audience. You supply some snacks, beverages and your sales pitch.
It’s been a great year thus far for our Business After Hours partners. In January, chamber board member Marcile Buzbee promoted her Touchstone Crystal by Swarovski collection just in time for Valentine’s Day. She made sales that night, after 5 p.m., and she was socializing with fellow chamber members the entire time. All in a day’s work… or, should I say, night’s work!
In February, C & G Educational Services had the Business After Hours group on our knees – literally – as we got pointers on the correct way to perform CPR. Owners Gene and Carol Pliska got to pitch how we can sign up for their lifesaving certification classes.
March’s event was hosted by the chamber’s golf committee. In preparation for the 8th Annual Chamber Cup Classic on April 20 at Sandpiper Golf Club, its members talked all things golf. On sale were foursomes, balls for the ball drop, hole sponsorships and tickets for the infamous chest of cheer.
The putting green was a huge success and great practice for the big day. The highlight of the evening was the tic-tac-toe putting challenge, which proved a little daunting even for the most seasoned golfers. I’m told the game helps you perfect your putt. All I know is there was more cursing than laughing coming from that corner of the room.
Next up is Dove Interiors Carpet One, which also happens to be the title sponsor for the chamber’s upcoming golf cup classic. Joan Miller and her staff are hosting the April 26 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. in her 6,000-square-foot, newly designed showroom at 2305 College Ave. in Ruskin.
We’ll all get to check out the store’s wide array of quality products from flooring to home décor to kitchens and baths.
Some Thursday night, you should test the waters to see how your business can benefit from hosting a Business After Hours. Give me a call at the chamber at 813-634-5111, and I can walk you through the details. It’s just another benefit of your Sun City Center Area Chamber of Commerce membership.
But don’t wait too long. The dates for sponsoring a Business After Hours for 2018 are filling up quickly. See you soon – After Hours!