Ensign Intermediate Students join Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce to learn benefits of networking

Twenty-five students from Ensign Intermediate School were given the opportunity to simulate a chamber of commerce business mixer and discover the purpose and fun of networking with their peers. As part of a career exploration class that uses The Real Game California Program, students were randomly assigned various occupational titles and information about specific jobs. Students had to fully explore their job descriptions and create personal business cards.

After finally reaching agreement, they unanimously named their community "Funky Town" and held their first chamber mixer in November. Members of the Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce were invited to attend, participate and mingle about with the young business professionals. Dressed in business attire, students greeted each other with handshakes, personal introductions and smiles. Each introduction included a card exchange so by the end of the period, not only did they have a handful of business cards, but they learned the value of networking with others in their community.

Students learned how to make contacts, give and receive business referrals, share ideas, help others, and market their own product and services. Chamber member Richard Morse was thrilled to be a part of the experience. He exclaimed, “I wish we had done this when I went to school.” The event was so successful that members of the “Funky Town” Chamber of Commerce will be joining the Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce at their breakfast meeting tomorrow, Wednesday, Feb. 10 at the Radisson Hotel Newport Beach (4545 MacArthur Blvd.) at 7:30 a.m. The speaker, Kelli C. Holmes, will discuss the challenges of networking and how to network effectively. The Newport Chamber of Commerce is looking forward to meeting and interacting with these young entrepreneurs.

The Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce is a business organization of almost 1,000 members representing more than 25,000 employees. The Chamber, with its five councils, committees, staff and valuable members, works with city officials, local businesses and the community at large to promote the local economy.