Ohana Growth Partners knows the importance of networking in the community, which is why the franchise held a Business After Hours event in Cookeville, Tennessee, on March 2. The informal social networking event was meant to help business professionals develop relationships with each other and with the local Chamber of Commerce.

The event was also an opportunity for Ohana Growth Partners to develop strong relationships with prospective members in the community. The group partnered up with the Cookeville-Putnam County Chamber of Commerce for the event and was the Cookeville location’s second year sponsoring the event with the Chamber of Commerce.

“Hosting an event like a Business After Hours at your place of business is a great opportunity to get people talking about your business, which elevates your brand awareness. One reason why people attend events is to meet and interact with like-minded people. Hosting an event for your business can be a great way to bring key players together. Creating a sense of community, inviting your customers and employees to an event goes a long way in showing them that they are an important part of the business,” said Rikki Criswell, general manager of Ohana’s Cookeville club.

Criswell and her team hosted the Business After Hours and received praise for their involvement with the Business After Hours event and with the franchise. Criswell has worked with the franchise for nine years, allowing her to develop good relationships with those in the community.

The event included food and décor such as beautiful tablescapes and florals. The attendance at this year’s event more than doubled from the previous year, with over 108 people. Chamber of Commerce members were given the opportunity to drop their business cards for a drawing for a one-year Black Card membership.

“At Ohana Growth Partners, we view ‘ohana’ not only as an extended family within our organization, but one which extends out into each of the communities we serve. We strive to be involved in each of our communities, and being an active Chamber member is one way we can do that,” said Andrew Poirier, director of operations in Tennessee.