Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance members don leis for social hour

From safari hunters to Hawaiian shirts and parrot earrings, local business representatives fully embraced Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance's Jimmy Buffet-themed July networking night.

More than 100 members gathered at the ComCenter Wednesday evening, July 1, to mingle amid the tropically-inspired decorations which included a tiki bar. 

"A different theme is a great opportunity to showcase the offices—and everyone has a bit of fun," said Sue Abbott with C1 Bank, who helped members sign in. "And the theme is perfect for summer."

While the Alliance provided leis for those members who didn't have time for a costume change, other members delved into the theme to make homemade accessories, such as Shelley Schreiber and Kate Lanni with Orange Theory Fitness, who dressed up as a safari hunter and a parrot, respectively. Judy Athari, the Alliance membership co-chair, put her best effort into her hat, which was complete with a stuffed animal shark. 

"This whole group is unusual in that you really take the time to get to know people—you make 500 new friends," Athari said.