The Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce, which is an amazing five star organization, holds a networking event once a month at various member locations. The purpose is two fold: it gives JACC members an opportunity to chat with others about business and life and set up appointments to meet and further each other’s businesses and it allows a company to shine in the spotlight by hosting the event.
This evening Keller Williams Realty hosted the Business After Hours, opening its doors and firing up the grill to welcome the business community. I believe Keller Williams had an after hours years ago, when the company first opened a market center in Joplin. However, this was the first Business After Hours in its current location and my first time to participate here in the Keller Williams office.
It was a beautiful evening for this get together and the KW Social Committee did a wonderful job of preparing for and hosting the fun event. I know agents Debbie, Joni, Sandy and Barbara put in many hours of work before the first guests arrived at 5:30 today. Our Team Leader, Vicki, was busy running a vacuum cleaner when I arrived late this afternoon and our Director of First Impressions, Dylan, was tidying up and wiping down counters. Members of the Social Committee were finishing up food prep in the kitchen while out back, on the patio, drinks were chilling in tubs of ice and Tim was grilling brats. Throughout our gorgeous building, agents were making sure their offices were neat and the hallways clear. I love the people and culture of KW. This feels like a family and we operate as such in the office. We uphold the culture by supporting and encouraging each other in all aspects of our businesses and our lives.
The Business After Hours was a success. The food was plentiful and delicious and the drinks cold. A jazz band performed beneath a KW canopy. And the back patio and parking lot overflowed with business people chatting in groups, exchanging biz cards and setting up appointments and lunches. I loved seeing people I haven’t seen in a while and also greeting friends and fellow agents that I see frequently. Next week I’ll enjoy several lunches and meetings that I set up tonight. And I had the pleasure of introducing some people to each other and connecting people together. I appreciate that in Joplin, and at Keller Williams, it’s not about competing so much as it is working together to make everyone successful and profitable. I am very proud to be part of such an extraordinary community and part of such an innovative and progressive company. I am blessed!
