Host a Meeting or Event
Showcase Your Facilities
Hosting a meeting or an event at your offices is an excellent way to allow members of the business community to see your facility and what you do. It could be a committee meeting, an educational seminar or a Business Card Exchange. Contact us for further details.
Why not have a Business Card Exchange at your organization's site? The Somerset County Business Partnership has its networking socials at different locations throughout the county, drawing approximately 100-150 attendees. These events can be held in the morning (7:30-9:00 a.m.), noontime (11:30-1:00 p.m.) or early evening (5:00-6:30 p.m.). If you are willing, and meet the following criteria, this is a great chance for you to "show off" your company:
You, the Host:
- Expect approximately 100-150 business people to attend (be sure there is ample parking).
- Set up two 6-foot tables at the entrance for registration and one 6-foot table for the Business Partnership display.
- The host company is encouraged to set up a display and have a "theme" with decorations.
- Tabletop displays are available to Business Partnership members. A minimum of six to eight 6-foot tables will be needed for members. Electricity may also be needed, along with a sound system for announcements. Some events may be joint events with another organization.
- Provide your business logo and promotional information to the Business Partnership two months in advance. Postcards have increased attendance by 15%. The Business Partnership will supply a camera-ready card for your printer. (The host company pays for the postage.) Our mailing list is approximately 1,200 businesspeople. Approximate cost to print and mail 1,200 postcards is $375. The postcards should be mailed by you ten days prior to the event.
- Setup is one hour prior to the event. An evening reception starts at 5:00 p.m., although some people do show up earlier, and the event ends at 6:30. A morning reception begins at 7:30 a.m. and ends at 9:00 a.m.
- Post signs outside and inside for directions for parking and reception area. Provide a microphone and podium.
- Food and beverage should be ready for guests 15 minutes prior to starting time and served until the end. Catered hors d'oeuvres for 100-150 people are provided by the host company. If you use an outside caterer, let them know this is an opportunity to market to many prospective businesses. The hors d'oeuvres should be high-grade (not chips and dip) and easy to eat. Plates need to be supplied as well as hot and cold cups, napkins and silverware or plasticware.
- Non-alcoholic drinks are expected: coffee, tea, soft drinks (both diet and regular), water or punch. Alcoholic drinks may be served from a cash bar, operated by the hosting company or the caterer, at a reasonable price. Normally beer and wine are free, provided by the host.
- Designate a person from your company who will be present during the announcements to be introduced, to welcome your guests and select door-prize winners. The host should provide the door prize. If the event has tabletop displays, those companies may also offer a door prize (usually a $50 value).
We, The Business Partnership:
Will provide an excellent marketing opportunity for the host company to showcase their products or services to businesspeople from Somerset County, including dignitaries.
Publish and mail a direct mail flyer, with your logo, promoting the event to about 1,700 members and other business people. The Business Partnership will provide the host with the mailing labels and artwork for the announcement postcards.
Promotion of the event and name of host will be in Business Partnership publications and local media.
At most events display tables are available to Business Partnership members. Advance notice on the exact number of tables needed will be provided.
Personnel for registration, name tags, and greeters will be provided. Within a week after the event, a list of attendees will be provided to the host company.
