Mingle event deemed success

Published 10:17 pm Thursday, May 31, 2012

Sam’s Club employees James Sturgeon and Nikki Fielder, former AT&T employee Tracey Sturgeon, and AT&T employees Jennifer Mitchell and Sharon Noe attended the Mingle on Main Street on Thursday.

About 200 people enjoyed the Mingle on Main Street event held Thursday evening at the pavilion behind the Suffolk Visitor Center.

The Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce event drew regional businesses to show off their products and chat with potential customers and other business owners.

“It’s been a very successful event,” said Dean McClain, Suffolk governmental affairs director. “Everybody has said, ‘What a beautiful venue.’ We wanted to help showcase the new pavilion here.”

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About 35 exhibitors came to the event to meet potential customers. But plenty of people came just to network.

“I’ve been to a lot of events for the Chamber, and I think this was a lot of fun,” said B.J. Henley, a volunteer ambassador for the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce. “I just like the feel of the business environment in Suffolk.”

McClain said the exhibitors were a mix of local businesses, regional businesses, and even a couple of politicians hoping to talk to voters in the upcoming primary elections.

There also was a good mix of new businesses and folks who have been in business for many years, he said.

Darren Schultz, past chair of the Suffolk Division of the Chamber of Commerce, said he thought the event was successful.

“I was happy to see the turnout,” he said. “The weather was nice, so it made it easier.”