Business After Five Committee

For the year 2007 the Business After Five event visited many new and unique venues. Only four were hosted by repeat venues and all the rest were new and unique locations.

• We kicked off the New Year by attending Sharky’s Fitness Club which was co-sponsored by Fabien Jagoo, Co-operators Insurance and The PhoneGuide. A great way to promote our new year’s fitness resolutions and the attendance was good for the typically slower January.
• February brought us to the Strangway Centre sponsored by the City of Sarnia and CGA’s. It was eye-opening for many to see what the Strangway Centre has to offer inside of its walls.
• March was spent at Paddy Flaherty’s celebrating St. Patrick’s Day a little late, but festive none the less, and a large turnout. Co-sponsor was JOBSTART a division of Community Living.
• In April we returned to the always well attended On the Front which was co-sponsored by Investors Group and First Sarnia Place. Although the lobby was under construction, we had an interesting touring networking game that took us through the lobby, the new condominium model and the 14th floor where the Investors Group was set up.
• May was a road trip to the Enniskillen Pepper Co Ltd in Petrolia and co-sponsored by Libro Financial. Unique plant tours of the green house operations was very interesting and everyone took home fresh Enniskillen Peppers with them!
• June wrapped for the summer at Sunset Golf with co-sponsors SA&P. A perfect day for golf and rock climbing.
• September was a spectacular event held beneath the Bluewater Bridge and sponsored solely by Blue Water Bridge Canada. Complete with an outdoor tent, Purdy’s fish fry, Coffee Lodge smoothies, Brewbaker’s subs and live entertainment by Rick Steeves. Opulent gift bags were given as parting gifts but the best gift was the warm (well, maybe hot) sunny day.
• Our annual showcase was held at Hiawatha once again with 110 display tables. It was hugely successful and grows every year. Hiawatha is a perfect venue size wise, has ample, easily accessible parking and they are very keen to work with us. We need to give serious thought as to whether this should be our annual location.
• November’s event at Forever Furniture was very interesting and the networking game involved perusing the store and itemizing your furniture wish list for a chance to win a $500 La-z-boy chair. There was much interest and good exposure for the location. We also asked members if they would help complete surveys for our Chamber’s new strategic plan mandate.
• December’s Christmas BAF was December 12th and the sponsor was the Village Inn with co-sponsors Caryl Baker Visage and The PhoneGuide. As always, there was much Christmas cheer, a chance to network with new members and get a little Christmas shopping done.

It is believed by BAF and membership committees that the Business After 5 is a value added benefit for members and potential members. A policy change was instituted this fall where non-member visitors are informed in writing by Chamber staff of a two visit maximum before a formal membership must be put in place.

For more information, please contact:

Steve Cozier
Royal Lepage
Tel: (519)336-7560
Fax: (519) 336-8228
Email:stevecrozier@royalkey.ca

Andrea Hands 
Tel: (519) 336-2400
Fax: (519) 336-2085
E-mail:ahands@sarnialambtonchamber.com