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Networking after hours: How Dutchess chamber engages local business professionals

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Networking after hours: How Dutchess chamber engages local business professionals

Chrysanthemums adorned each entry of the Curry Estate in Hopewell Junction on Wednesday evening, and inside, crystal chandeliers shimmered in the hall while professionals from the mid-Hudson Valley chatted over music.

Hors d’oeuvres were served, glasses were filled, and people were happy to create new connections and see some familiar faces as the evening progressed at the Dutchess County Regional Chamber of Commerce’s October Business After Hours event.

The free event is open to anyone; all you have to do is register ahead of time on the Chamber’s website.

If you missed this one, no matter, there’s another coming up in mid-November at the Culinary Institute’s Marriott Pavilion at 1946 Campus Drive in Hyde Park on Nov. 13 from 5-7 p.m.

“It’s about showcasing people to places they’ve never been in the community,” Frank Castella, chamber president and CEO.

What Dutchess business networking event involves

This isn’t the first time the Business After Hours was held at the Curry Estate, as Cathleen Andreveci, one of the six sisters who’ve owned the estate going on six years noted. “Almost every year we’ve had one,” she said.

Each time they host an After Hours or another special occasion on their property, Andreveci and another sister and co-owner at the event, Patricia ‘Prish’ Devito, said, they want you to feel like you are a part of their family.

This time around, the sisters put together a scavenger hunt around the estate. Attendees could walk the grounds, learn more about Curry Estate, fill out the hunt form, get stickers for completion and submit to win a prize at the end of the night.

Lisa Currier, who works for Hudson Valley Federal Credit Union, was there Wednesday evening working on the scavenger hunt, and said it was a good time. At the time, she said she had two stops left to visit — “get my last two stickers.”

But what makes Business After Hours unique, Castella said, is that the location changes each time.

“We like to highlight our members in that way, but moving around the community, as opposed to just being in one spot,” he said.

There are various attendees from the business sector. For example, Women’s Enterprise Development Center, a non-profit organization that’s been around for over 26 years, was tabling at the Wednesday event.

Overall, the chamber hopes to further its goals of economic development, continuing education, being advocates for members and a voice for them in the community through events like these. It hosts 165 over the course of the year.

Speakers at the event included Castella, Andreveci, as well as leaders from the sponsoring organizations, Habitat from Humanity CEO Maureen Lashlee, who is retiring in December, and CDPHP Director of Growth Sarah Johnson.

“I feel as if there is an opportunity here that you will not get anywhere else,” Lashlee said about the chamber.

Following the speeches, with 15 minutes left in the event, some went on their way, but others, especially some of the younger professionals, ended up staying a tad later, sharing laughs, getting to know each other better, and figuring out what upcoming local events might bring them together again.

What attendees had to say about the experience

Quinn Adams, representing Adams Fairacre Farms in this year’s Leadership Dutchess class, hosted by The Chamber Foundation, was at the event Wednesday; he’s been to a few After Hours before. He said his two takeaways are always, “seeing the different venues,” as well as meeting different people and business owners each time he attends.

Dawn Castello, another one of the six sister co-owners of the Curry Estate, said even as a host, she gets something out of the event. She gets to talk with others in the restaurant business, allowing her to change her perspective or frame of mind from time to time, as well as getting to know one another and providing new referrals for their clients.

“We share information, and I think that for us, that’s really one of the nicest things,” Castello said.

It’s a networking event, as well as a showcase for local businesses, but the atmosphere is more relaxed then what you might expect. There was a cash bar available at Wednesday evening’s event.

As Chassity Acevedo, leadership development program coordinator for The Chamber Foundation noted, the event allows you to get out of the office, while still working on your professional development, but not be so constrained.

“This is my second Business After Hours — my first time being at the Curry Estate,” she said.

Juan Gil Urrego, Ulster Savings Bank Branch Supervisor in Hyde Park, said since becoming more involved with chamber events, with Wednesday evening being his third After Hours, he’s been able to work on “professional expansion,” and “a real sense of connection with the community.”

Royal Ricci, a member Dutchess County Association of Realtors, said being a part of the Chamber of Commerce is one of the best decisions he made. “It’s a wonderful community of business people who really care about each other.”

Castella concluded if you’ve never been to a Business After Hours before, and might be a bit nervous, “people are thinking the same thing you are when they come in.”

Where to learn more

The Dutchess County Regional Chamber of Commerce website at dcrcoc.org has more information on these events and others designed to get professionals involved and engaged in the local business community.

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