The Medford Business Association (MBA) held its first networking event of the year at Medford Lanes Bowling Center on Jan. 21.
The event was expected to be an evening of fun and great company.
“As a typical networking event is, it gives us the opportunity to all talk to each other and catch up on what’s been going on,” said Lesha Moore, executive director of the MBA. “It’s an opportunity for us to share what’s going on in our own business with others, and then these collaborations happen.”
The MBA welcomes non-member businesses to its free member networking events. The first is free and is a way for non-member businesses to learn about the MBA and meet its members.
“Sometimes businesses, they might need to connect with a person, or another business, and those kinds of connections can happen at our networking events,” Moore explained. “It’s important for us to gather and share our stories, our needs, our successes and even our faux paus, because other members are able to maybe offer suggestions on what we can do to improve business, whether it’s through social media or whatever the issue is.”
The MBA was founded in 1946 by a group of 23 business owners to promote a strong business community and to actively participate in civic and cultural programs that would make Medford a desirable place to live, work and shop. Through monthly events and speaking engagements, members can network and make connections to help their businesses succeed.
If you’re interested in learning more about the MBA or becoming a member, visit www.medfordbusiness.org.
“We are really lucky in the community of Medford,” Moore noted. “There is such a camaraderie that I’ve experienced at all of the networking events I’ve attended. There’s a sense of community among the business owners and people are eager to help each other out, so I think that’s the best part of all of it.”
This year will be a busy one for the MBA, with activities happening every month. They include a business panel, more networking events and a tour of Kirby’s Mill in Medford. The Medford Historical Society hopes to restore the complex to working order so current and future generations can wander back into the past and see part of early Americana.
“These are going to be fun events that I think we’re going to have the community be a part of, and they’re going to be focused towards the community and give our members a chance to really interact and bring a community awareness of our businesses,” Moore offered.
“Having (the MBA’s) board of directors, they are such a supportive group of people that, together we’re going to be able to bring some new and unique opportunities not only to our membership, but to the community itself.”
