Lakewood Ranch business types take shot at connection

I used to wonder if all those generic-brand networking events really worked.

You know the ones, where you get a drink, then you hang out with all the people you know, looking over at those you don't.

Once in a while, you nod.

Heather Kasten, executive director of the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance, knows it sometimes takes a push to get people to mix. To that end, she has loaded her members into a bus for a day-long tour of Lakewood Ranch or Bradenton. She has arranged intimate dinners and trips to Tampa Bay Lightning games. Then there is the usual day on the golf course.

I checked out one of the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance's more unusual networking events — an afternoon at Ancient Oak Gun Club March 3.

After all, what says "Let's do business" better than arming everyone with shotguns?

Actually, it quickly became apparent that those who blast apart clay targets share some kind of unspoken bond. A little camo and an ammo vest apparently can get people in the right frame of mind to talk business turkey.

Paul Adamson, of Gator Air Conditioning, said sporting clays is a great event for networking. "You have more interaction," he said. "It's definitely more effective than golf, where you ride around with one guy and maybe you see a couple others on the green."

Adamson, who formerly worked for a bank, said he once struck a financing deal for a business's new headquarters by networking at Ancient Oak.

Blam. Blam. Now sign on the dotted line.

"It's just a great way to meet people," Adamson said. "No one comes in your office to meet you."

Although everyone had a gun, John Barnott, the director of building and development services for Manatee County, said the shooting range is a great place to make contacts. "It is a casual atmosphere and a lot of fun," he said.

Matt Andrus, a managing partner of Anna Maria Oyster Bar, said he believes the Sporting Clays event is huge.

"Half our vendors, we find at an event like this," Andrus said.

Mark Black and Bradley Lauer of Conditioned Air, an event sponsor, said introductions to other business people can be incredibly important.

"You are not making back-end deals," Black said. "But people get to know who the players are."

"You can put a face to the name," Lauer said of those he does business with on the phone. "You get to know them."

Michelle Bianchi-Pingel and Jeffery Kin of The Players Centre for Performing Arts took advantage of the event to spread the word about the theater's move to the new Waterside at Lakewood Ranch. While Bianchi-Pingel is an accomplished shooter, Kin was trying his hand at sporting clays for the first time.

If they would come across the right person, perhaps they might find another key donor.

"There are so many high-profile people attending today," Kasten said of the event. "We provide a social aspect for them."

Besides making business connections and, perhaps, doing some deals, the shooters were competing for a CZ-USA 12 gauge shotgun provided by event sponsor High Noon Guns.

I checked out the gun. Very cool. I guess I need to learn to shoot.

If I can't hit the clays, perhaps I can make a business deal that will help me ease into retirement.

As Kasten says, "It's the power of connection."

Pull!