MODERN MIXER: Chamber networking event rides People Mover
The Detroit News
Similar to speed dating -- where men and women are given a few minutes to exchange glances, words and phone numbers before moving on to another candidate -- workers from across the region get five minutes to meet one another, find out what they have to offer and trade business cards.
The chamber has hosted several five-minute networking events throughout Metro Detroit since last year. The registration fee is $30 for members and $50 for nonmembers of the chamber; that includes the event and appetizers. Some 60 people attended Tuesday evening's sold-out session, which ran 4:30 -7:30 p.m.
The chamber's meet-and-greet events usually take place indoors at places such as Joe Louis Arena and Citizens Bank. But during Tuesday's event, groups of business people rode the downtown Detroit tram to five stations to exchange information with other participants already stationed on the platforms. The mobile group spent 30 minutes at each station before reboarding the People Mover to head to the next stop.
"It's an innovative way to meet people," said Jon Kreger, chamber spokesman. "It's just a really fun way to meet everybody."
Members have been "very responsive" to the creative new way of networking, he added. This was the first time the chamber has offered the mobile sessions.
This method makes networking "a little more interesting," said Dennis Green, spokesman for the People Mover. It's the latest of several innovative uses of the tram, which previously has hosted speed dating and a fashion show.
If Tuesday's trial networking run is successful, authorities from the People Mover and chamber will do it again.
"We have yet to see how it works out, but we're very optimistic," he said. "It puts a little different spin on networking."
Penney was excited to be among the first group of people to try out the unique technique.
"It's a different way of networking," said the executive director of Urban Health Care Solutions, a health and wellness management firm. "I thought it would be interesting."
Attendees were also able to network before and after the People Mover ride at the Hard Rock Cafe in the Compuware building.
Most of the participants are from small companies and business-to-business services such as consulting, Kreger said. The program is open to chamber members and nonmembers.
The next networking event takes place Nov. 16.
You can reach Jennifer Youssef at (313) 222-2319 or jyoussef@detnews.com.
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