Even During Busy Times, Networking is Essential to Maintaining Business Success

The holiday season is a busy time for everyone especially for business owners. For most business owners, given the choice between networking and working in the business, most will choose the latter. However, this shouldn’t be the case. Building networks in the business community with diverse business-people is the key to success of any business. Contacts with like-minded professionals create better opportunities and provide business building in the future.

The Greater Dufferin Area Chamber of Commerce (GDACC) is the largest networking organization in Dufferin County. It provides members with opportunities to enhance their business leads with many organized events. Each year GDACC holds, three key events, the Business Excellence Awards, a Golf Tournament and the Home and Lifestyle Show.

But, aside from the major events, they also host two excellent networking opportunities for their members. Business After 5 Events are opportunities for members to invite other members to their location, by providing opportunities to meet and promote their business. Members then have the opportunity to network, hand out business cards and make connections that are vital. In celebration of the holiday season, the GDACC holds an open house and invites members only to an evening of food, fun and networking. This year’s event will be held Wednesday December 2nd, from 4:30PM-6:30PM. To RSVP please contact the chamber office at 519-941-0490.

In keeping with the holiday theme, the Dufferin Women in Business (DWIB) will be holding their annual Donna Messer, Woman in Pursuit of Excellence Award and Christmas Showcase. Enjoy an evening of wonderful food, entertainment and find out who this year’s winner will be. Five extraordinary business women from the community have been nominated for this prestigious award; Tammy Schneider, Snap Dufferin, Elizabeth Walker, CGA, Veronica Meneses, Investors Group, Mary Vervoort, Choices Youth Shelter and Judy Martene, Women Living Well.

“This event serves as a stage to recognize, honour, and celebrate some of the exceptional business women from our area who have made a significant contribution to the community,” Janet Blunt, Event Organizer said. “As role models, they exemplify qualities that Dufferin Women in Business seeks to promote and support; demonstrating for us how fostering and developing relationships not only encourages business growth, but has the power to impact and improve the lives of people within our community.”

Entertainment for the evening will be provided by two-time Juno Nominee and local musician Kenny Vehkavaara. Vehavaara will combine the sounds of the Mediterranean and holiday classics with the passionate melodies and vibrant rhythms of the Spanish guitar.

Following Vehavaara’s performance will be Trista Suke, Jessica Bradley and Rebecca Reeves, the winners of this year’s Headwaters Shining Stars competition held recently during the Home and Lifestyle Show. The trio will be performing individual songs with a special selection together.

The event will be held at the Orangeville Agriculture Centre, on Wednesday December 9th, from 5:30pm-8:30pm. Not only will the evening provide festive enjoyment, but is an excellent opportunity for networking. DWIB offers a friendly and welcoming atmosphere where women can foster mutual support, inspiration, advice and assistance between members. In a round table format, business representatives will have 20 seconds to promote their own business, followed by a dynamic speaker.

Tickets for the evening are $50.00 + gst and will consist of a holiday buffet catered by Robin’s Catering, entertainment, networking and the presentation of the Woman of In Pursuit of Excellence Award.

“On behalf of the DWIB, I want to take this opportunity to say thank you and congratulations to all the business women of Dufferin who have participated in DWIB networking events over the past year. Your support and involvement in our group is appreciated,” Blunt said.

RaDeana Montgomery is the Public Relations and Membership Coordinator for the GDACC. The GDACC has been the “Voice of Business” since 1909. To learn more about membership, visit www.gdacc.ca