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Stars and Strikes owners Chris Albano, second from left, and Jack Canouse, right, who hosted the joint Business Afters Hours, were joined for some networking by Cumming-Forsyth Chamber of Commerce executives James McCoy, left, and Brian Dill, third from left. (click for larger version) | |
September 06, 2007
More than 140 local business professionals from two counties gathered Aug. 14 for the annual joint Business After Hours held by the Cumming-Forsyth Chamber of Commerce and the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce.
The two chambers alternate sponsoring and planning the annual event. This year the Cumming-Forsyth Chamber sponsored the event at Stars and Strikes Family Entertainment Center in Cumming.
Bringing the two chambers together is a unique event that benefits everyone involved, said James McCoy, president and chief executive officer of the Cumming-Forsyth Chamber of Commerce.
"Anytime we can get the business community together it benefits our members and guests," McCoy said. "It's an opportunity to meet folks that wouldn't have met otherwise, and at the end of the day, it's all about relationships"
Ken Martasin, founder of Peach State Promotions, has been a chamber member for about 10 years, and he has seen chamber membership grow in numbers over the years.
"By interacting with other business owners and leaders, we are building relationships," Martasin said.
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Lisa Hoxie, left, Ann Margaret Johnston, Ken Martasin and Missy Bushong network at the joint Businesss Afer Hours on Aug. 14. (click for larger version) | | |
During the short business portion of an otherwise social evening, Jeff Galloway, race director for the Kaiser Permanente Corporate Run/Walk, personally extended a challenge to chamber members encouraging them to participate in the event. The Run/Walk is a 5K race set for Sept. 27 and is another opportunity for developing teamwork and building relationships
Stars and Strikes' Tara Friedman, who is responsible for event sales and community relations, described Business After Hours as a popular event that maximizes networking. She considers the family entertainment center a great venue for a business function such as this one.
In fact, this is the second time the facility has hosted this event. Their first experience as host was in 2005, shortly after the facility first opened.
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| "Our members have an opportunity to come together and get to know other people in a social and casual environment,"
Kendra Plotkin, director of business services for the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce. |
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"It's not your typical bowling alley. It's a different and fun environment, and bowling is a team-building activity that is great for boosting morale," Friedman said.
Stars and Strikes, which is a member of both the Cumming-Forsyth Chamber and the Greater North Fulton Chamber, offers food, meeting rooms and activities such as bowling, laser tag, arcade games and billiards for a variety of corporate functions and meetings.
Chris Albano and Jack Canouse are owners of the facility.
"It's all about having fun," Albano said.
And Stars and Strikes is adding to the fun. They are planning to expand their current location and add new attractions like indoor bumper cars and miniature golf.
In December 2007 they plan to open a new location in Gwinnett County.
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