The Lunch Exchange is one of the Chamber’s most popular events!
Imagine networking in the fashion of “speed-dating”. You have the opportunity to connect with each of the 39 other individuals in attendance as you move from station to station. Each stop will include ample time for introductions as well as a few moments to learn more about what each of the individuals at your station specializes in.
The July Lunch Exchange is being hosted by Mount St. Mary’s at their Frederick Campus and will feature a buffet style menu provided by Renaissance Chef.
We have only a few slots left so be sure to head over and register now to claim one: Register for Lunch Exchange
If you’re still not sure this is for you, we asked a few of our prior participants to share what they love about the event.
What People Love About the Frederick County Chamber of Commerce Lunch Exchanges
Lunch Exchanges are interactive…
The Chamber’s Business lunch exchange is one of the networking events I look forward to the most. It’s
interactive, engaging, and not to mention, fun. I regularly attend to meet new professionals who are
motivated and serious about growing their business, and that is exactly what I get out of it. -Alex Villegas, Key Financial Group, LLC
Lunch Exchanges help you make new contacts…
This networking event was not only fun, but I was able to meet a lot of great people and create new contacts within our Frederick business community! -Heather Houck, Manpower Staffing
The Chamber lunch exchange is a great opportunity to meet and talk to a number of members at comfortable tables in a short amount of time. Then follow up is possible with anyone that you want to talk with further during and after lunch. I always come from the lunch exchanges with 4 or 5 strong new connections to people in the community. -Linda Thornton, Other Voices Theatre
Lunch Exchanges give you an opportunity to share your business with people in a valuable way…
The lunch exchanges help me connect with far more local businesses than I would at a typical open networking event. The structured format means I get the essential information about other businesses, and learn to hone my own message so those at my table have a clear picture of our services. The lunches afterward are always delicious, and let the attendees enjoy more in-depth conversations. These events are always worth attending! -Welmoed Sisson, Inspections by Bob
Convinced?
Go ahead and register here and read on for some helpful tips that will allow you to make the most of the event.
Making the Most of Your Lunch Exchange Experience
Get great business cards.
And by great we mean accurate, informative, and good looking.
You’re not going to make a great impression if you’re handing over a dirty, ,mangled business card that you dug out of the bottom of your bag. You also don’t want to have to explain that your email, phone number, and address are all different.
Order your business cards now, with up to date information, and have them clean, crisp, and accurate for the big day.
Perfect your elevator pitch.
Your elevator pitch is that one minute synopsis about what it is that you do. You want it to be engaging, memorable, and accurate-so don’t bother saying you can sing the National Anthem if you can’t.
Your goal is to have everyone you speak to leave knowing what it is you do and why you’re great it at, and you want to be the business that comes to mind when they are in need of your service or have a collaboration opportunity you’d be perfect for.
Dress your best.
This experience is all about first impressions and, with 39 people in the room to meet, you want to make sure that yours is great in just a few moments.
Don’t feel like you have to go overboard here though, just plan to come to the event in the clean version of whatever it is you wear to do whatever it is that you do. If you have a uniform, it’s fine to wear it. If you are in an industry where a tie or jacket is expected, you should come in that.
Part of what you’re doing here is meeting people’s expectations and then blowing them out of the water. That’s how you make yourself memorable.
Make sure you register in advance.
It will save you the embarrassment of being turned away in front of a room full of business professionals. We do not allow walk-ins at the Lunch Exchange events so if you don’t want your first impression of you to be that you’re disorganized or unable to follow protocol be sure you register to attend this event.