Business After Hours

What Is Business After Hours

Since its inception in 1981, the BUSINESS AFTER HOURS program, created by chambers of commerce all over the country, has become not only one of the most successful ideas in chamber history, but something of a business phenomenon as well.

BUSINESS AFTER HOURS is designed to provide a relaxed, informal get-together of Chamber business members after regular business hours. The program is held at various sites around Chenango County. BUSINESS AFTER HOURS has been held in restaurants, private offices, retail stores, banks, and health care institutions. In addition to meeting people, making new contacts, and winning door prizes, attendees have enjoyed computer demonstrations, musical entertainers, office equipment shows, business tours, and small business showcases.

What Is The Chamber’s Role?

             The cost to sponsor a BAH is $275.00.  The Chamber will handle the mailing costs, promotion   (News Releases, mention in the Chamber Memo and the Chenango Reports Newsletter), registration table and issuing of name badges.

How Do You Become A Sponsor?:

Sponsoring a BUSINESS AFTER HOURS will give your business high visibility with local news media coverage, the Chamber newsletter, and the weekly Chamber Memo

which is emailed and faxed to Chamber members.

The business sponsor decides the date and location of the event. The hours should immediately follow business hours - (typically 5:00- 7:00 p.m.) and not exceed two hours in length.

The sponsor is responsible for all related food and refreshment costs, door prizes and a registration table. As a sponsor, you are entitled to showcase any promotional materials or displays regarding your business to highlight a new product or focus on your area of expertise. It is suggested that the sponsor send special invitations to potential and valued customers.

  The cost covers the invitation, (mailing, printing, and postage) name badges, signage and regsitration.

Your Advantages as a Business After Hours Sponsor

• You automatically target promotional efforts to Chenango County’s most successful, conscientious and dynamic business leaders - the members of one of the strongest chambers of commerce: the Chenango County Chamber of Commerce.
• Business After Hours Chamber staff will help you to plan and administer the event.
• Your firm has exclusive rights to distribute promotional material, offer door prizes, set up static displays.
• You secure the registration list of everyone who attends.
• Any number of your employees can be on hand to insure that we get the message you want us to get.
• Speak to a captive audience.

What Is Showcasing?

Small businesses are invited to display their products and services at Business After Hours. This opportunity offers exposure to the smaller companies that generally do not have large advertising budgets.

Take advantage of our membership gatherings to promote your goods and services to other Chamber members. Remember, your Chamber membership will be more valuable if you do business with fellow members.

The Bottom Line

Small businesses are invited to display their products and services at Business After Hours. This opportunity offers exposure to the smaller companies that generally do not have large advertising budgets.

Take advantage of our membership gatherings to promote your goods and services to other Chamber members. Remember, your Chamber membership will be more valuable if you do business with fellow members.

To Participate in the program and become a BAH Sponsor, please call the Chamber offices at 607-334-1402.

Personal Tips To Prepare For A Networking Event

• Set a goal for the number of new business contacts you want to make at the mixer. Greet your friends, then work hard to meet those Chamber members you do not know.
• Rehearse a ten-word description of your business that will clearly explain what you do. Keep your business cards handy.
• Mixers are a time for brief chats, not an hour-long sales call. If someone is interested, take his or her card and promise to call the next day.
• Get others in your company to attend so you can achieve maximum coverage of the room.
• Use time in food and beverage lines to talk to people. Do not count on getting a chance to sit in a quiet corner with your new acquaintances.
• Attitude is everything. You must be friendly and outgoing to enjoy and benefit from mixers.
• Wear a nametag with your first and last name - and the company name. That can be a conversation starter! (Proper protocol is to wear your nametag on the right).
• If there is a door prize drawing, enter it. You may win an instant fame and an opening for people to approach you. Next time, sponsor a door prize - this is additional promotion for your company.

return to top