Chamber members now network at monthly ‘Happy Hour’

See why the East Portland Chamber of Commerce, known for its weekly early morning events, has added an outer East Portland evening networking ‘mixer’ …

This is the establishment, near Mall 205, where the East Portland Chamber of Commerce hosts its monthly “Happy Hour” events.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
For more than ten years now, members of the East Portland Chamber of Commerce (EPCC) get together on Wednesdays at 7:30 a.m. for “Good Morning East Portland” events.

At these early morning programs, members and guests meet at a host member’s business, or listen to candidate forums or public affairs presentations, or enjoy educational seminars.

Charter member Pam Olson, Farmers Insurance Agent, and Susan Brown of Experience Solutions LLC, share hospitality during an EPCC Happy Hour held at Old Chicago Pizza.

But, members like Susan Brown of Experience Solutions LLC, and other people who work into the evening hours, have hoped for a regularly-scheduled after-hours meeting.

“I started with the East Portland Chamber of Commerce in August,” Brown told East Portland News. “And, I noticed almost all of their events are in the early morning – at 7:30 a.m. Between client meetings, and working late nights doing projects, I just did not want to get up early.”

Members and guests of the East Portland Chamber of Commerce gather on the first Thursday of the month in the Gateway area for “Happy Hour”.

EPCC Ambassador Holly Moss heads in to participate in another EPCC Happy Hour event.

So, she talked to veteran EPCC member Holly Moss of The Bookkeeping Company, and one of the long-standing Chamber Ambassadors, asking her to think about offering a “happy hour”.

“That’s when we started holding a monthly ‘Happy Hour’ here at Old Chicago Pizza, near Mall 205, in the Gateway area,” Brown said. “Sometimes it’s just a handful of people who come. Sometimes are surprised with a larger group.”

One of the benefits Brown says she sees from having such regular evening events, “Is that this doesn’t have a lot of structure. Sometimes when you go to an event, the guest speakers take up the whole time, limiting actual chatting and meeting time. At this event, it’s simply just about talking with one another.

“Sometime we’re not even talking about business,” Brown added. “Instead, it’s talking about one another’s lives, and building relationships.”

Rick DeVries of Oregon Roof Cleaning, Inc. joins Scott Edward Peterson III and Sierra Adams, both with Classique Floors, at the April EPCC “Happy Hour”.

The next EPCC Happy Hour will be on May 1, from 5:30 until 7:30 p.m., at Old Chicago Pizza, 10300 SE Washington St near Mall 205.

Visit the East Portland News COMMUNITY CALENDAR to find the location of upcoming meetings and events the Chamber hosts. Or, for more information, CLICK HERE to see the Chamber’s website, or call (503) 788-8589.

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