WHAT IS A BUSINESS AFTER HOURS?
A Business After Hours (BAH) is a business/social gathering of Chamber members and their guests at your business or chosen location. As a business after hours sponsor, the BAH provides you with the opportunity to showcase the products and services of your business, and offers area business people a chance to get to gather informally, see old friends, make new business contacts, and find out what our area businesses have to offer.
The BAH generally takes place at the end of the business day, from 5:30 – 7:30 pm. It is usually held on a Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday evening. All Sponsoring parties must be current members of the Gr. Hudson Chamber of Commerce. Businesses may also co-sponsor a BAH.
WHO IS INVITED?
Representatives of area businesses belonging to the Chamber, their employees and guests may be invited. Also a small list of area officials, potential members and area resource people might be included.
HOW DO THEY LEARN OF THE EVENT?
The Chamber will share your press releases in the local papers, a listing on the Chamber’s website in the events calendar, a listing in the Chamber newsletter, email blast notifications of the event, a listing on the Chamber Facebook page, as well as flyers available at previous Chamber events and of course word of mouth!
WHAT HAPPENS AT THE EVENT?
- A Chamber representative will arrive early to assist as necessary to set up an area for nametags and door prize registration.
- As our host, we will ask you, or one of your employees to greet guests as they come in. A Chamber staff member or representative will assist with this.
- Participants will be asked to wear nametags – which the Chamber will provide.
- Participants will place their business card into a basket for the door prize drawing. You will be allowed to keep the business cards for your reference following the BAH.
- Tickets will be sold for a 50/50 raffle drawing, if the sponsoring business is in favor of this.
- During the evening, the Sponsors, Chamber Board Members and Special Guests will be introduced to the attendees.
- You will be introduced and have the opportunity to say a few words about your business.
- A Chamber representative will make brief announcements regarding any upcoming Chamber events and activities.
WHAT DOES THE SPONSOR PROVIDE FOR THE EVENT?
- The location - If you would like your event to stand out, consider a theme to create a festive and appealing event.
- Hors D’oeuvres & beverages (can be alcoholic and/or non-alcoholic – its up to you)
- Door prizes (related to the sponsoring business)
- Promotional information, displays, or tours of the business. Guest speakers can also be a part of the program.
- Provide the Chamber a paragraph about your business at least one month in advance of the date you are hosting.
- A table or desk, preferably near the entrance, for registration of our members and guests. We will also use this surface to set up any raffles and to display member literature and upcoming events.
WHAT DOES THE CHAMBER PROVIDE FOR THE EVENT?
- Publicity for the event. The Chamber will provide the sponsor with a listing of all current chamber members for the sponsor to mail invites. The Chamber will announce the Business After Hours in the GHCC newsletter, circulate it to local media contacts, and promote the event in email blasts, as well as have flyers available at the previous Business After Hours. The GHCC will include your logo in information distributed giving you optimal advertising and awareness of your business.
- The Chamber will list the event on the Chamber Facebook page, email blasts to chamber members and other area businesses, and include the event on the Chamber website events calendar.
- Name tags for attendees, door prize card blanks (for those without business cards), and basket for door prize tickets/business cards.
- Raffle tickets for the 50/50 drawing.
- Staff support and guidance. The Chamber staff will work with you to ensure that all necessary steps are taken for you to host a fun and successful Business After Hours!
WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE IN ADVANCE?
- Work with the Chamber to promote the event.
- You may do your own publicity as well, please be sure to indicate that it is a Gr. Hudson Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours.
If a Business After Hours is difficult to plan, why not consider a Before Hours Breakfast or Brunch, or perhaps a Luncheon. Please contact the Gr. Hudson Chamber of Commerce at (603) 889-4731 or email at info@hudsonchamber.com if you would like to be a sponsoring host. There is a $75 fee for hosting.
Typical Business After Hours
Agenda:
| 5:30 - 5:45 |
Registration of members
and guests. |
| 5:30 - 6:30 |
Networking |
| About 6:30 |
Announcement of upcoming
events and
Introduction by President or other Chamber
representative. |
| About 6:30 |
Brief Presentation by
Host. |
| About 6:45 |
Door prize(s) are drawn.
|
| 6:45 |
Thank you to Host by
Chamber
Representative. Any last minute announcements
are made. |
| 6:45 - 7:30 |
Networking continues. |
|
