Greater Wilmington Chamber Mega Business After Hours - 11/17/09

They just keep getting better and better. Last night's Mega Business After Hours at the Coastline Convention Center, sponsored by the Greater Wilmington Chamber of Commerce drew an enthusiastic, sizable crowd.

The first people we saw went we entered were newly elected Wilmington City Councilman Charlie Rivenbark and his fiance Dana Fisher.

David Merrill of Hertz was in the middle of the action as usual. David has teased me that lately I've mostly included photos of his back or side at networking events, so I'm making up for it in this post, I hope. David is also the guy who started and manages the very helpful Wilmington Networking Events Calendar.


Rick Huston of U-First and David Merrill.


Mary Bennies of the still new but already successful Town Planner community calendar.

Amanda Smith of Glasgow Hicks Insurance Agency, attorney Jonathan Washburn, and Charlie Rivenbark.


Marge Brown of SendOutCards and Steve West of N2 Publishing.

That's Michael Moore's mom, Jeannette Raines and vendor Mike Kress of Auto Supply Co., Inc. in Michael's booth (Michael of course is the guy on the right).

Here's another smiling Michael, the dappper Michael Byrd of WordWright Web.

Nelly Webb of Tuscany Tile & Design and Jim Tuzzeo of Blueprint Financial Advisory Group.

Todd Godbey of Kidsville Magazine and Michael Byrd.




Marge Brown and Greater Wilmington Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Connie Majur-Rhett.David Merrill with Robert Lewis of Lewis Labs and Susan Bunce of Lewis Dental Labs.

Someone grabbed the camera for a last photo, this time of David and me.

Yet another fine, well-attended event by the Greater Wilmington Chamber of Commerce. Thanks to Vera, Connie, and everyone who made it possible.

Wilmington Chamber of Commerce - SunTrust Bank Business After Hours

The Oleander branch of SunTrust bank hosted a Business After Hours for the Wilmington Chamber of Commerce on October 8th.

SunTrust's Denise Harris welcomes an attendee.

In the front parking lot SunTrust's mobile office services demo truck was receiving visitors.

Inside the truck (the walls of which are transparent glass, which was pretty cool), a SunTrust representative gave a quick presentation of the bank's business services.

Outside the truck I was happy to see SunTrust City President Donna Cameron and her guest, Sally Barton, visiting from Georgia. Donna and Sally have been friends since 3rd grade!

Kidsville's Todd Godbey, ActionCoach Reggie Shropshire, and Mike Moore of Atlantic Care Care chatted in the parking lot.

Scott Cromartie crossed he parking lot with a big smile. Scott wears several hats, including BNI Area Director, mortgage consultant with Stevens Mortgage, and member of the Board of Directors of the Wilmington Chamber of Commerce.

Inside the action was hopping. Here Donna May of PartyLite Candles and Scott Cromartie talk with other attendees.

Rick Huston of United Financial and Jessica Pirone of Just Perfect home staging had big smiles.



As you can see, Donna Cameron kept very busy greeting and talking with guests. She later exhibited a secret talent (secret to me anyway, read on).


Shannon Andrews, who I've known for years and was formerly in real estate, is now working with Michael Byrd at WordWright Web.

Shannan and Michael. I guess the dress code for the company includes matching shirts. Kidding aside, they're both very hard working, professional people. Check out www.wordwrightweb.com.

Anna Schraff of Boys & Girls Homes of NC, Inc. and James Arnold of South-Eastern Commercial Services.

Mark Evans of Green Cleaning Technicians.

Donna Cameron and her Jennifer Wayne.


Donna insisted on taking a photograph of me with Jennifer.

Premier Staffing's Peggy O'Leary and Donna. Both women, btw, are also on the Board of Directors of the North Brunswick Chamber of Commerce.

And here's Donna's secret talent. She can whistle a crowd of 80-100 networkers to almost instant silence.

Carol Mazure, President and CEO of the Wilmington Chamber of Commerce.

Vera Weiss, the WCC's Vice President of Organizational Development and Member Services assisted with the drawings.


Mike Moore won one of the prizes!

More drawings, this time Donna's friend Sally got into the act.

There was a great turn out for this Business After Hours.

Thanks SunTrust and thanks to the Wilmington Chamber of Commerce.

Wilmington Chamber of Commerce Goes Mega!

Well that was certainly a success. Congrats to the Connie Majure-Rhett, Vera Weiss and the rest of the Wilmington Chamber of Commerce for hosting one of if not the best Mega-After Hours this town has seen. There was more food on the vendors' tables than a crowd 5 times the size could eat and the energy level was thru the very high ceiling of the Coastline Convention Center.

David Merrill of Hertz Rentals and the Wilmington Area Networking Events Calendar came through the door ready to network!
Nationwide's Karen Shanley worked her way through the growing crowd.
Here's another crowd shot, oops, there's Karen again.


Ann and Ezell Willard of All Kinds of Stuff talked with an attendee.
Josh Caine of Past Present Future Digital, Inc. and Jon Hicks of Ethos Studios.

Mary Bennies' TownPlanner booth was busy. Mary started this successful community and business promotional calendar in Leland and is bringing it to Wilmington very soon.
Mark Evans of Green Cleaning Technicians, LLC
The ever-dapper Michael Byrd of WordWrightWeb.com
Michael and Karen
Mike Moore, owner of Atlantic Car Care in Wilmington.
Publisher Rob Kaiser and Account Exec Maggi Apel of The Greater Wilmington Business Journal.
Sabina Newman of SCN Insight and Frances Nichols of Coastline Mortgage.
Thanks WCC, it was great.