The Clarendon County Chamber of Commerce is looking to revive a familiar opportunity for local business owners and community leaders to connect.
The Chamber hosted Business After Hours on Sept. 29 at its North Brooks Street office in Manning, bringing members together for food, beverages, door prizes and networking. The two-hour event also included a business card swap. BAHSEPT
Chamber Board President Jason Montgomery said Business After Hours gatherings were once held regularly but became less frequent following the COVID-19 pandemic. Hosting the September event at the Chamber was an effort to get them started again.
“It’s a way for the business community to network and give back,” Montgomery said.
For Chamber Director Caroline Buyck, the gatherings also offer something less formal — an opportunity to get people in the same room.
“I’m a very social person, so I like seeing everyone together, talking and getting along,” Buyck said.
Buyck said she had not pushed to resume Business After Hours earlier as she settled into her role as director, learned the Chamber’s schedule and determined how she wanted to approach running the office.
Now, she said, she feels she has strong support from the Chamber board and is ready to move forward with more of her ideas.
The Sept. 29 gathering included door prizes donated by businesses and organizations throughout the community. Donors included Duke Energy, SAFE Federal Credit Union, State Farm, Agape, Simpson’s, Sub Station II, Food-Med Health, the City of Manning, Wealth Strategies, Doyle’s B&B at Players Course and Thompson Construction.
The event comes as the Chamber prepares for several activities in the coming months, including Soups, Stews & Sweets, one of its signature winter events. Buyck said organizers hope to add some new elements this year.
The Chamber is also planning its members-only holiday dinner and a long-range planning meeting with its board. Buyck said the board has not held a long-range planning session in several years.
Business After Hours may also be returning to the Chamber calendar more regularly.
Before the Sept. 29 gathering had ended, Buyck said representatives from two businesses had already approached her about hosting future Business After Hours events.
