Networking at Noon welcomes new, potential members to the chamber

Networking at Noon is back and with a lot of fresh faces. This Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce event was held from 11:30 a.m to 1:30 p.m on July 28 at the Chart House. 

After a relaxing summer, everyone was excited to see each other again. Andrew Vac, real estate consultant and broker, moderated the event and welcomed all members and their guests. People had a choice of shrimp Caesar salad, a burger or pasta. 

Medge Jaspan, Richard Sanders and Mark Stough are new members and attended this luncheon as their first networking event with the chamber. Jaspan owns the Holistic Healing and Wellness Center of Longboat Key. Sanders and Stough work for Finch Roof Consulting in Sarasota. 

Many chamber members brought guests to this event who they thought would be interested in becoming a member. Director of Event Planning at Cafe L’ Europe Ashley Watts brought Beth Robertson, owner of the new company Etch And Burn. Diane Lopez, director of resort operations at the Resort at Longboat Key Club, brought her new manager-in-training Kyle Doering, who started in May. The town’s new grant coordinator, Kalee Shaberts, also attended with the town’s finance director, Susan Smith. 

Debbie Shaffer, marketing communications specialist for ServPro, is a longtime member of the chamber and loves to advocate for all business owners to join and connect with the chamber. 

“The first time I ever joined the Longboat Key chamber was 14 years ago, and I came to this exact restaurant. I have been part of the chamber ever since,” said Shaffer while introducing herself. “I've been an ambassador and I've got all kinds of awards but I do love the chamber and you're gonna love it too. It's family.” 

After mingling and introductions, Kelly Spring, sales and marketing representative for ServPro, led the traditional raffle with drop-by gifts chamber members donate from their businesses. 

Vac emphasized this is a great way to advertise a product and pass around contact information to other business owners in the area. The chamber will meet for its next Networking at Noon on Aug. 24 at the Lazy Lobster.