The Chamber’s monthly Business After Hours usually is a moderately-attended affair. It’s used to promote a business, which opens its doors, serves hors d’oeuvres and refreshments, and hopes more than a few dozen drop in.
This month’s Business After Hours — known by the rather inappropriate acronym as BAH — may draw 1,000. It’s a sports expo which will take up the entire Adam’s Mark Hotel ballroom on Wednesday night.
“We should have over 50 exhibitors,” said the hotel’s corporate sales director, Laura Cagan, who is coordinating the event with the Chamber’s events planner, Maja Blaskova. “We’ve been trying to come up with a good promotion and someone suggested this — apparently, there’s never been a real sports show here.”
Apparently, there hasn’t, even in this sports-minded area.
“Our members really have responded,” said Blaskova. “Everything from the Daytona International Speedway pace car to the new hockey team.”
It’s likely that a number of Jaguars will be there. Donovin Darius will be promoting his new foundation and Axcess Sports, which represents athletes, will have several of its clients at a booth.
Portions of the Jaguars’ Adams Street Experience will be there and the Jacksonville Tomcats, an Arena league football team, will have an interactive display.
The Business After Hours runs from 5-8 p.m. and is open at all Chamber members. There is no charge — BAH usually charges $5 — and each person will get two drink tickets for beer, wine or soft drinks.