Membership Mixer

A huge part of the Greater Phoenix Convention and Visitors Bureau, and actually any CVB, are its members. According to the GPCVB website, they "provide benefits that generate and enhance business opportunities for its members and organizations". The benefits include being listed in the Meeting and Travel Planner Guide for Greater Phoenix and in the Official Visitor's Guide to Greater Phoenix, they have access to a confidential convention calendar, they get sent leads, they receive the "Memberandum" (a quarterly news letter), and they are allowed to display their brochures at the Downtown Visitor Information Center. There are currently 1,305 members, but that amount is always growing. Member types range from accommodations, to dining, to venues, to convention and event services, and even to relocation (banks, churches, etc.), and much more. **If you are interested in viewing the full list of members, click here to see the Member Directory.**

About every month or two the Greater Phoenix Convention and Visitors Bureau holds a Membership Mixer. This event is held to provide an ideal opportunity for casual networking to make lasting business connections. This month, the mixer was held at the gorgeous Wrigley Mansion (featured in the picture above) that was built in the 1920's which is at the top of a hill above the Biltmore Hotel. It is now an event venue for weddings, proms, and any type of special event, and can hold up to 1,500 people. There is also a restaurant, Geordie's, there in which anyone who eats lunch there actually gets to choose the price they are going to pay for their meal; they pay what they feel is fair. I had never heard of this concept before, but it is very intriguing. People could either over pay for their food as to not embarrass themselves, which must happen since it is in business, or they could be frugal about it.
**For more information about the Wrigley Mansion, visit their website at http://www.wrigleymansionclub.com/welcome.php**

I went to the mixer and it was very fun! There were complimentary hors d'oeuvres and drinks available at the event, which were delicious. The hors d'oeuvres consisted of fruit, a variety of cheese and crackers, shrimp cocktail, and two small meat items. As the members entered the event, they placed their business card in a basket in order to get entered in the raffle. Unfortunately, I obviously do not have a business card so I could not be included. However, the prizes were great! They gave away stays at resorts, a golf package, a photo session, and more.

I did not do as well as I had hoped in the networking aspect of the mixer. As an intern and as this being the first type of thing I have been to like this, it was very intimidating. But, I did work up the courage to talk to a couple people. The only name I remember is Stephanie and she works at the Sheraton Downtown. I also met a couple photographers, a manager from the Phoenix Raceway, and a couple other people who I cannot even remember now where they work. I am very glad that I went though and it was a great experience that better prepared me for future events of that sort.