East Portland Chamber hosts mixer in Woodstock

Find out how this business association is bringing together business people from all over outer East Portland – and inner Southeast Portland as well …

Yes, in the foreground, that’s the former US Bank Woodstock branch vault door, now made into a table, in the Woodstock food cart pod in the dining hall of The Heist — the venue for this East Portland Chamber of Commerce networking opportunity.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton

It’s typical for local Neighborhood Business District associations – and Chambers of Commerce – to hold networking mixers to help business people meet one another.

But, on Wednesday evening, March 19th, the East Portland Chamber of Commerce (EPCC) held a “super mixer” – for all East side business association members – at “The Heist”, a new food cart collection built in and around the former Woodstock U.S. Bank branch in that East Portland neighborhood business district.

Here are Ambassador Codie Jennison of Northwest Enforcement, Inc, EPCC Administrator Jocelyn Jester, and guest Ron Shandler of Lighthouse Enterprises.

“Tonight’s activity is part of our ‘EPCC Presents Networking Afterhours’ series; specifically, our first Inter-Chamber Business Mixer,” explained EPCC Administrator Jocelyn Jester, as some of the 45 preregistered guests were checking in.

“We’ve invited all Neighborhood Business District associations, chambers of commerce, and their membership and leaders from the greater Portland area, to come here to the Woodstock neighborhood for this unstructured networking session,” Jester told East Portland News.

At the mixer we found longtime EPCC members and supporters Mary Ann Gray of Westside Secretarial Service, as well as EPCC Ambassador Lauren Kane, and Karen Kane – both from Insurance Solutions NW.

“In addition to folks introducing themselves to one another, our guests have the opportunity to learn more about, and perhaps to join, the East Portland Chamber of Commerce. And, at the same time, they may find a neighboring business district that might be helpful for them to learn about or join as well,” continued Jester.

“So, instead of creating competition among the districts and/or the chambers, we’re providing an opportunity for people to come together and work together cooperatively to improve the climate for all small businesses in East Portland!”

Woodstock neighborhood Association Chair Brett Scott and Scott Allen of Toast Restaurant are also Board Members of the Woodstock Community Business Association.

“Hopefully we are exponentially increasing their networks, so they can continue to grow their businesses,” Jester concluded.

Find out more about the East Portland Chamber of Commerce by visiting their website: CLICK HERE.

And, check in with the Woodstock Community Business Association – they also serve businesses in the Brentwood-Darlington neighborhood – at their website: CLICK HERE.

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