Holiday Cheer and Networking Highlights at December Business After Hours
The Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce hosted its final quarterly Business After Hours event of 2024 on December 5th at the Holiday Inn Express on Kruse Way in Springfield, attracting nearly 150 attendees for an evening filled with festive fun, networking, and holiday spirit.
Co-sponsored by Travel Lane County and Mereté Hotel Management, the event offered a relaxed, informal atmosphere where Chamber members could unwind after business hours, catch up with other area businesses, and make new connections. With a lineup of craft beer, wine from Iris Vineyards, and delicious fare served up by Falling Sky Brewing, the evening was an ideal setting for professional networking while celebrating the season.
One of the highlights was the holiday sweater contest, which encouraged attendees to sport their “most festive” (or ugliest) holiday sweaters. Contestants were judged by the number of candy canes they collected, with the most candy canes earning a festive prize. Travel Lane County’s Andy Vobora and Sarah Keepers, Wellness Director of West Coast Strength, were the finalists.
Speakers included Liz Tate from Mereté Hotel Management, Samara Phelps from Travel Lane County, and Vonnie Mikkelsen, President & CEO of the Springfield Chamber of Commerce.
As always, Business After Hours provided ample opportunities for Chamber members to strengthen existing relationships, build new ones, and promote their businesses in a casual setting. The event also featured fun raffle drawings, with several lucky attendees walking away with prizes.
The solid turnout underscores the growing energy and excitement around these events, and the Springfield Chamber would like to thank Mereté Hotel Management, Travel Lane County, and Holiday Inn Express, as well as marketing table sponsors Oak Hill School, Kitchen Tune-Up, Eugene Area Radio Stations (EARS), Lane Community College, Vollara Air Scrubbers, and Perfect Climate.
Business After Hours is a quarterly event designed to provide a relaxed, informal get-together of Chamber business members after regular business hours. Build new relationships and make new connections with relaxed, professional networking; craft beer, wine and refreshments; and raffle drawings and prizes. Pacesetters and Champions have one or more free entries (depending on membership level) to the event!
