Jim Cooper, president of the South Dundas Chamber of Commerce says that in business the inclination might be to look for more business by going farther away, but you might find what you’re looking for in your own back yard. Tinkess Photo
MORRISBURG – On a warm evening in June there isn’t a nicer place to be than Stone Crop Acres, sitting at the patio with a gentle breeze blowing and a cool, locally produced glass of Pinot Grigio in your hand.
Maybe that is why the South Dundas Chamber of Commerce keeps coming back.
The chamber held a business networking event at Stone Crop Acres on Thurs., June 22 as it continues its efforts to gently reintroduce people to the practice of meeting in place and face-to-face. It’s a practice that chamber president Jim Cooper strongly believes in. Getting out reinforces that sometimes the best place you could be, is close to home.
“Quite often in business, people say, “Well, I used to go further away, maybe to Ottawa, maybe to Toronto, or maybe Montreal, and so many times you overlook what’s right in front of our very noses,” said Cooper. “It’s amazing what we have in our back yards, not just Stone Crop Acres, but all the other businesses who are here, as well as the ones that couldn’t make it tonight.
“The Chamber of Commerce is here to promote its members, first and foremost, and to promote the area, anything that is going on, we’re here for you.”
Each attendee was given the opportunity to sample one of the many beverages available, and as the evening progressed, thin crust pizza and assorted charcuterie boards made an appearance.
Guest speakers for the event were MP Eric Duncan and MPP Nolan Quinn, and while each spoke briefly, they for the most part made the rounds speaking to individuals and small groups personally.
Ideas were shared, business cards exchanged, and more importantly faces and names were connected. It is a bit more work getting to know someone when you’re not looking at their name directly below their face on a computer screen, but it’s worth the effort.
If you are interested in learning more about the South Dundas Chamber of Commerce, you can contact their office at manager@southdundaschamber.ca.
Terry Tinkess is a professional photographer, educator and journalist. He has been making a living with a camera and keyboard since 1999 and has been featured in such publications as The Ottawa Citizen, Cornwall Standard Freeholder, The Globe and Mail, The Miami Herald, Ottawa Construction News, The Ontario Construction Report, Ontario Home Builder Magazine, Reed Construction Data, Canadian Potato Business and most recently, The Record and Eastern Ontario AgriNews. Terry lives in Ingleside, Ontario with his wife Brenda, Mia the anxious Pittie and cats Wally and Chubbers.
