By NEIL ZOLOT
NORTH READING — About 80 people representing Chamber of Commerce chapters from local communities attended a networking social sponsored by the Reading-North Reading Chamber Thursday, July 17 at Hopothecary Ales Brewery and Kitchen, 303 Main Street.
“It’s always nice to get a great turnout in the summer,” RNR Chamber Marketing Director Jamie Bradley said. “We got a great turnout because the location is so accessible.”
“It was a great multi-Chamber networking event with the purpose of connecting members and non-members to various businesses across our region,” added RNR Chamber Director Robert Miner. “It was highly attended due to the strong reputation of our collective chambers that always host at great venues such as Hopothecary Ales, all within a fun, vibrant and professional environment.”
“I’ve gotten business from these events,” commented insurance broker Josh Harrington, who works out of a home office in North Reading. “They’re a good way to get your name out there,” he said of the networking events. Harrington helps organize the local Town Day event and is a past president and board member of the Reading-North Reading Chamber.
Harrington moved to North Reading from Reading and said the Reading-North Reading Chamber helps business owners on the same street that runs through both communities — Route 28 — meet. “A lot of businesses have clients in both communities,” he pointed out.
Among them was Aaron Thomas, a banking executive from Danvers. He said he attended this multi-chamber event because he has clients in North Reading, Reading and other adjacent communities.
Sheila Walker McMahan, of Walker McMahan Counseling on Main Street, said she attended the social event because “I thought it was time to join the Chamber. My business is spread primarily through word of mouth.”
She moved to North Reading in 2007 and has been in business here since 2012. Although she grew up in Somerville she was familiar with the town because her grandparents lived near Martin’s Pond and she spent most of her summers there.
Melrose Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Stephanie Nelson was one of many Chamber Directors and members of area communities who attended the event. “Our job is to support and amplify the work of our small businesses, and networking events give our members exposure outside the community,” she said. “If you walk out of here with one or two connections that benefit your business, it’s a win.”
Northeast Illuminators President Joe Guarino’s business and personal lives link Melrose and North Reading, He lives in Melrose where his business was originally located before he moved it to North Reading. “The effort you put into it is what you get out of it,” he said of networking events.
Hopothecary Ales is a brew pub. On-duty manager Morty Naggar said the Reading-North Reading Chamber reached out to them to host the event. “We have two function areas, so we’re used to renting out space for events,” he said.
Hopothecary has been open four years. Naggar said the business is going well.
“One purpose of these gatherings is to give a local business exposure,” Miner pointed out.