What a FANTASTIC way to increase awareness of both our Local4Local4Local organization as well as the Ronald McDonald House Northern Alberta that our organization supports! Last Thursday afternoon saw a group of fantastic business people from Edmonton and surrounding areas come together for a 'Mixed Up Mixer' at Edmonton's lovely Petroleum Club. The Local4Local4Local organization desired to offer guests a unique and intentional networking function, and from the feedback received after the event, they hit their mark.
The event was ambassadored by a group of local business people whose role was threefold: open their circles through invitation to the event, greetings and farewells to guests onsite, and ensuring that the event itself was inclusive.
The event was ambassadored by a group of local business people whose role was threefold: open their circles through invitation to the event, greetings and farewells to guests onsite, and ensuring that the event itself was inclusive.
"Tonight was an exceptionally heartfelt evening of #supportlocal #yeg with some amazing people."
~Catherine Finlayson, Exciton Technologies, from Twitter
Guests attending the event had to answer three questions:
1. What is your product or service?
2. What does your business or career need right now?
3. What do you hope to come away from after this event?
By each guest intentionally sharing what their business requires at present, connections and collaborations could be made much more easily. It also seemed to create a level 'playing field', recognizing that no matter where your business rates on any 'success scale', there is always a need that can be filled towards reaching a future goal.
As well, around the room were a series of 5 survey questions, each with its own QR Code, and guests were encouraged to answer. The questions ranged
from naming a local business that 'WOW'd' you recently with its product or service (Cafe Tiramisu, Hotel MacDonald, and AMA were among the named) to rating how much the guests rely upon referrals in their business, to asking for input on how to respond to negative comments or feedback posted about your business on social media. It was interesting to hear the conversations that ensued surrounding these surveys as guests responded. The guests will be provided with a breakdown of the data collected as a follow up to the event, as an added value 'bonus' for attending.
1. What is your product or service?
2. What does your business or career need right now?
3. What do you hope to come away from after this event?
By each guest intentionally sharing what their business requires at present, connections and collaborations could be made much more easily. It also seemed to create a level 'playing field', recognizing that no matter where your business rates on any 'success scale', there is always a need that can be filled towards reaching a future goal.
As well, around the room were a series of 5 survey questions, each with its own QR Code, and guests were encouraged to answer. The questions ranged
from naming a local business that 'WOW'd' you recently with its product or service (Cafe Tiramisu, Hotel MacDonald, and AMA were among the named) to rating how much the guests rely upon referrals in their business, to asking for input on how to respond to negative comments or feedback posted about your business on social media. It was interesting to hear the conversations that ensued surrounding these surveys as guests responded. The guests will be provided with a breakdown of the data collected as a follow up to the event, as an added value 'bonus' for attending.
"Incredibly honoured to be part of this amazing and unselfish group"
~Jim Mueller, McCallum Printing, from Twitter
Local4Local4Local Founder, Kristi Hammond, shared the mission and vision of the Organization, and invited the businesses in attendance to join the organization. The guests were pleasantly surprised to hear that the financial and time commitments to be a part of Local4Local4Local are extremely manageable, even for independent small business. As well, Jen Panteluk, Business Development Officer for Ronald McDonald House Northern Alberta shared some of the mission and vision of the House that L4L4L supports. Guests learned that the House relies on the kindness of community for 90% of its $2.4 million annual budget. They also heard how meaningful and appreciated the support given by L4L4L to the House's 'Home for Dinner' Program is, and how the organization has helped bolster the program.
"We love what Local4Local4Local does to support the House!"
~Jen Panteluk, Ronald McDonald House Northern Alberta, Adapted from Twitter
Last but certainly not least, the event ws sponsored by some of Edmonton & Area's finest businesses and friends of Local4Local4Local. HUGE shouts out to Edmonton Petroleum Club for hosting our event AND sponsoring the amazing Signature Cocktails at the event. The cocktails were original creations by the talented Tarquin Melnyck, Bar & Promotions Consultant and 2012 Top 3 Finalist Canada Angostura Cocktail Challenge, and they were WONDERFUL! The light and fruity 'Alstromeria' was a fan favourite and promises to make its way to more Local4Local4Local events! Wine and 'bubbly' was graciously sponsored by Sasha McCauley, agent for Authentic Wine and Spirits, a 'Business 2 Business' liquor company catering to restaurants and clubs in Edmonton and area. The event was captured in photos by the talented Linda Patterson of Timeless Edge Photography, specializing in event and corporate photography. And Somerville Wine Room on 124th Street was kind to grant all businesses who joined the Local4Local4Local Organization at the event with a dining gift card for their lovely restaurant.
The success of this event relied on so many: Ambassadors, Local4LocalLocal Business Members, Sponsors, and Guests. Our heartfelt gratitude to all who played a role.
"What next?" you may ask? Watch for more Local4Local4Local events in future! We are PROUD to be offering some additional public events through the year, such as The Mixed Up Mixer, to promote and support our organization's mission and vision... but we are also PROUD to be offering some events in the kitchens of Ronald McDonald House Northern Alberta to further engage our VERY 'rich' Edmonton community, and provide further fun, food, and fellowship for the families that we diligently serve at Ronald McDonald House Northern Alberta. Stay Tuned!
The success of this event relied on so many: Ambassadors, Local4LocalLocal Business Members, Sponsors, and Guests. Our heartfelt gratitude to all who played a role.
"What next?" you may ask? Watch for more Local4Local4Local events in future! We are PROUD to be offering some additional public events through the year, such as The Mixed Up Mixer, to promote and support our organization's mission and vision... but we are also PROUD to be offering some events in the kitchens of Ronald McDonald House Northern Alberta to further engage our VERY 'rich' Edmonton community, and provide further fun, food, and fellowship for the families that we diligently serve at Ronald McDonald House Northern Alberta. Stay Tuned!
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