Letter: Businesses 'Stay Connected' After Hours

Last week Wednesday, May 16, ConvexSERV Technology Solutions held their second annual Business After Hours networking event. It was titled the Village Green Spring Roll, which sparked interest for several reasons.

First, this event was open to the public and it featured not just ConvexSERV, but a majority of the businesses that are in the Village Green Shopping Plaza in Forked River. With a “block party” atmosphere, patrons were able to come and network in a relaxed setting.

The other businesses from the Plaza involved in the event included: Verizon Wireless, All Aboard Trains and Hobbies, Victoria’s Hair Salon, CrossBridge Church, and Gladiator Gym. To add even more, other vendor spots were filled by Axis Builders, Spaloss Studios, Just Joszie, and Ocean Professional Theatre Company.

The second reason behind the name was the Asian theme, courtesy of Lisa Bennett-Luciotti, of Affordable Party Planning Services. With three wait staff, she transformed a section of the Plaza with a culturally tasteful appearance. Spring rolls, seaweed salad, chicken skewers, fried rice, and several other edible delights were passed around in big enough sizes to eat, but proportionately appropriate for networking. This is Lisa’s second time as the event planner for ConvexSERV’s afterhours events. Some of the patrons that came this year and had also been at last year’s event, were noted as saying how impressive the event was, and how much they enjoyed the food.

Jim Spaloss, owner of ConvexSERV Technology Solutions, wanted to create an event where it did not have a “stuffy” feel, but embraced networking and got people talking. He believes that small business prosperity doesn’t just start and end with your own business’s success, but rather with the overall success of small businesses within your community. He is the President of the Lacey Chamber of Commerce, and a member of the Southern Ocean County Chamber, the Barnegat Chamber, and BNI-Waretown chapter. Jim sees the importance of how staying connected raises more awareness for your business, but also for you as a business person; people get the opportunity to know you better. Where familiarity grows, then trust soon follows.

It was a great event, which had almost 100 people pass through for networking and a bite to eat. Members of several Chambers, and the local community, including some from as far as the Jackson Chamber, came to the event. People from varying business backgrounds were present. Having spoken with the other vendors that participated, it was an opportunity not wasted, as every vendor had some face time with the patrons. Our wish for them is for more future business leads to follow.

And lastly, there was the grand prize. Every guest that visited and networked with all the vendors was put into a drawing for the mystery prize. Barbara Nacca, of Mr. Maintenance Cleaning Service, was the winner of a new Kindle Fire!

If you would like to know more about Jim Spaloss, his team, and ConvexSERV, visit their website atwww.convexserv.com, or give them a call at the office, 609-242-1540.

For more information about the Lacey Chamber of Commerce, please visit their website at www.laceychamberofcommerce.com, or call the office at 609-607-7670. For more information on the Barnegat Chamber of Commerce, please visit their website at www.barnegatchamber.com, or call the office at 609-698-1944. For more information on the Southern Ocean County Chamber of Commerce, please visit their website at www.visitlbiregion.com, or call the office at 609-494-7211.