Events for April 2014
North Port Area Chamber of Commerce
Apr 2    NPYP (North Port Young Professionals)
This committee is less of a committee and more of a networking group, intended to connect chamber members ages 21-40 via unique networking, marketing, and service opportunities. For more information please contact committee chair Brett Hawker at 941--626-3560
Date: April 2, 2014
Time: 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Location:
The location of this meeting will rotate to expose the NPYP to a number of chamber partners throughout the year.
May is being held at Beef O'Bradys
1037 N. Sumter Blvd
North Port

 
 
**Menus will be available for you to order at your own cost.
Contact: Brett Hawker 941-626-3560
EMail: Brett.Hawker@e-hps.com
Date/Time Details:
First Wednesday of every month at 6 pm
Fees/Admission:
None.
Apr 4    Marketing & Communication Committee
This committee identifies an implements ways to promote and enhance the Chambers' image and place in the community.  If you enjoy building something from scratch and want to tell the Chambers' story, this is the committee for you!
Date: April 4, 2014
Time: 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Location: Charlotte State Bank & Trust
4300 Aiden Lane
North Port
Contact: NPACC - (941) 564-3040
EMail: info@northportareachamber.com
Date/Time Details:
First Friday of every month at 9 AM
Fees/Admission:
None
Apr 5    Annual Business & Community Expo
28th Annual Business & Community Expo
This year's Business & Community Expo will host business and community promoting their products and services, live band, live performances, entertainment, children activities, food and drink, free give-a-ways. raffle prizes and much more. 
The Business & Community Expo is free to the public to attend.
***Click Photos and Images below to view registration forms***



Date: April 5, 2014
Location: Gene Matthews Boys & Girls Clubs
6851 Biscayne Blvd
North Port
Contact: Sandie Karp
EMail: skarp@northportareachamber.com
Date/Time Details: Saturday April 5, 2014
9:00am - 3:00pm
Fees/Admission: Free Parking & Admission
Apr 15    Business After Hours
The networking gets started at 5:30 PM, with a short program taking place after 6 PM. During that program, an update on chamber committee activities will be given, along with announcements regarding upcoming events.  Door prizes will be drawn after the announcements, including an opportunity to have your business displayed in the chamber's window for an entire month.  You are encouraged to bring a door prize to promote your business or organization.
Date: April 15, 2014
Time: 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM
Location: After Hours with The Punta Gorda Chamber
Palm Auto Mall Jeep Chrysler
2323 Tamiami Trail
Punta Gorda FL
 
Contact: Sandie Karp
EMail: skarp@northportareachamber.com
Date/Time Details:
Tuesday April 15th at 5:30 PM
Fees/Admission:
None.
Apr 22    Business & Economic Development Committee Meeting
  This Committee assists the business community with business, economic and workforce development. Some of the things that this committee may focus on includes seminars, workshops, education outreach, expos, etc.

This committee is going through a restructuring process in order to better address the business and economic needs of the community. Anyone interested in taking part in this Committee is welcome to attend this meeting.

If you have any questions, please call the Chamber office at (941) 564-3040 or e-mail
wgunnin@northportareachamber.com.
 
Date: April 22, 2014
Time: 8:30 AM - 9:30 AM
Location: University of South Florida - Sarasota-Manatee
5920 Pan American Boulevard, 2nd Floor
North Port, FL 34287
(941) 426-7330
Contact: William Gunnin
EMail: wgunnin@northportareachamber.com
Date/Time Details: Fourth Tuesday of every month
Apr 23    Meet & Greet
Meet & Greet

RSVP By April 21, 2013
Date: April 23, 2014
Time: 7:30 AM - 9:00 AM
Location: Olde World Restaurant
North Port
Contact: Sandie Karp
EMail: skarp@northportareachamber.com
Date/Time Details: 7:30 am - 9:00 am
Fees/Admission: Complimentary Continental Breakfast
Apr 23    Meet & Greet
Meet & Greet
RSVP by April 21, 2014
Date: April 23, 2014
Time: 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM
Location: Olde World Restaurant
North Port   
Contact: Sandie Karp
EMail: skarp@northportareachamber.com
Date/Time Details: 5:30pm - 7:00 pm
Fees/Admission: Complimentary heavy hors d'oeuvres & Drinks
Cash Bar Available
Apr 24    Government Relations Committee
This committee acts as the liaison between chamber members and the various local regional, and state governing bodies, as well as monitoring any public policy or legislation that we feel may have an effect on the business community.  Pre-registration required. For more information please contact committee chair Fred Tower at (941) 416-0876.
Date: April 24, 2014
Time: 8:30 AM - 9:30 AM
Location: SMH - ER, 2nd floor
2345 Bobcat Village Center Rd.


 
Contact: NPACC 941-564-3040
EMail: info@northportareachamber.com
Date/Time Details: The fourth Thursday of every month at 8:30 am.
Apr 30    Speed Networking
The event is designed for home based and store front businesses. It is not required to be a member of the Chamber to participate in this event. Registration for the event is on a first come/first serve basis and will be limited to the first 20 people that sign up. Light appetizers and refreshments will be provided. A cash bar will be available.

When business people attend conferences and other networking events, they tend to gravitate towards people they know, and don’t always meet new individuals or business contacts. The "throw-everyone-into-a-room" system of commonplace networking events is especially daunting for someone who may be shy or new to the marketplace.

With increasingly busy schedules, business people spend a lot of time trying to make the necessary contacts to keep their businesses growing. Time is of the essence. Speed networking is a new and fresh way to build your business Rolodex in a time efficient manner! Speed networking is a networking event with an accelerated twist. The program is specifically designed to allow attendees the quick and entertaining opportunity to introduce themselves and pitch their company to other people in business. With a unique format, participants of Speed networking will meet more people, make more contacts, and generate more business ideas in one short evening, than they ever thought was possible at a networking event!

With all participants seated in pairs, the Speed networking sessions will commence. During each fast paced session, participants will be able to network face-to-face. After the end of each session, participants will quickly alternate their seating arrangements to pair up with their next networking opportunity. This process will continue until all participants have interacted with each other.

In just a few minutes, participants will share business cards, history and offer new contacts with valuable information about their business. For example:

• Who do you know that might need their services?
• Who has a similar client base and might like to exchange client leads with them?
• How might each company do business with one another?
• Can you introduce them to anyone who can help them?

After the official Speed networking event is over, participants are encouraged to continue networking throughout the evening.
 
Date: April 30, 2014
Time: 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Location: Bobcat Trail Golf Club
1350 Bobcat Trail
North Port, FL
EMail: skarp@northportareachamber.com
Date/Time Details: Wednesday, April 30, 2014
5:00 - 7:00pm
Fees/Admission: $12 Chamber Members
**payment due prior to event, no later than Friday, April 25