Not just networking, but job searching, was on the menu at Dutchess County ?Regional Chamber event.
Energized members of Dutchess County Regional Chamber of Commerce (DCRCOC) joined in a speed-networking event at Castillo Espanol Restaurant in Poughkeepsie Wednesday, May 20. Networking events, whether evening mixers or those where participants move from table to table to introduce themselves, have taken on a special meaning since Wall Street crashed and unemployment continues to climb in the Hudson Valley.
Among the nearly 40 chamber members who took part, four were members of Work Local First (WLF), a new initiative by the DCRCOC to help out-of-work residents connect with possible employers and provide a venue to do essential networking. Members of Work Local First can attend chamber events, as well as receive a listing on the chamber”™s WLF page on its Web site. To further help those pounding the pavement in a tough job market, DCRCOC opened a new career center at its offices available Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. They also receive 100 complimentary business cards to hand out to prospective employers, courtesy of Harmon & Castella Printing of Poughkeepsie. The chamber charges $100 for a 12-month membership in Work Local First, and for those who start their own business, the amount can be applied toward membership in the chamber.
“It”™s tough out there and we”™re doing what we can to help,” said DCROC”™s president and CEO Charles North, who came to kick off the speed-networking event. “We”™re creating as many opportunities as possible to help people in our area connect with others and find a new job.”
Among those participating in the event:
{gallery}westfair/facesandplaces/hv052509{/gallery}
