Business After Hours Attracts
Large Crowd On Thursday

 

by: Bobby McDonald

 

The second "Business After Hours" session, sponsored by the Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce, was hosted by Century-21 First Group, Allstate Insurance, and City National Mortgage, and attracted a large crowd of local businessmen and women, as they visited, laughed, and "swapped" business cards. The program is designed to allow interaction  between local business owners and provide a forum for idea exchanges.

 

Jana Henderson, with City National Mortgage, right, visits with other members of the local business
community, at Thursday afternoon's "Business After Hours."

 

"It's just a great way for local business owners to meet one another and exchange ideas," expressed project coordinator, Bob Weaver, owner of Town and Country Cleaners. "It's a way for you to meet the person down the street, who is frustrated with the same problem or share ideas for solving local business problems!"

 

Bob Weaver, left, coordinator of the Business After Hours Program,
draws for one of the door prizes offered at Thursday afternoon's gathering.

 

"We're all operating in the very same local economy and share many, many of the same challenges," continued Weaver. "And, many, many times 'two-heads' are better than one!"

 

 

"It's a great way to meet people," offered Billy Sam Elliott, CEO of the Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce. "Regardless of the fact that you've just moved to Sulphur Springs, or been a lifetime resident, it's a great way to meet other people in business."

 

Local business owners share ideas at Thursday afternoon's gathering at Century-21 First Group
on Gilmer Street.

 

The Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors are a major part of the program, as they are those individuals who typically know the new business owners in town and serve as a group to introduce new business owners to some of those more established. "We try to make sure that everyone is introduced to one another," expressed Charlotte Baxter, coordinator of the Chamber of Commerce Ambassador Program. "We want to make certain that anyone new to Sulphur Springs feels welcome!"

Thursday's 5:15 p.m. gathering featured door prizes and a very large crowd of new business owners and those who have been a part of the community for many years. The entire crowd enjoyed the hospitality of the local sponsors and shared information with one another. Other events will be sponsored the remainder of the year to encourage interaction among local business owners. Call (903)885-6515 for the next scheduled event.

 

Matt Brown and Joel Jackson of Guaranty Bond Bank visit with Pat Chase of Century-21 First Group,
at Thursday's Business After Hours meeting.

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