Looking for marketing solutions to help grow your small business in 2011? Join the Women's Business Network of the Chamber for a luncheon on Thursday, Jan. 13, as Peebles Creative Group leads an interactive discussion about best practices for marketing your business in the new year.

The event (which is open to any Chamber member, regardless of gender) will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. at the Holiday Inn -Columbus/Worthington, 7007 N. High St.

The discussion will be facilitated by Laura Calhoon, vice president, and Jill Clark, director of client service, of Peebles Creative Group, Inc.

Come prepared to share and compare marketing strategies that have (or have not) worked for you, and exchange questions and suggestions with your peers.  Topics will include: building your brand visually and from within, media buying, public relations, social media and building customer relationships in the digital age.

Support our scholarship fund by making announcements ($5/member; $10/guest), distributing promotional literature or samples ($10), and participating in door prize drawings ($1/member/guest).

Reservations are required by Jan. 7. Reserve your place (and pay by credit card, if desired) by clicking "REGISTER NOW" above to reach the Web event page on the Chamber's online Calendar of Events. Follow the prompts under REGISTER NOW, and click "SUBMIT" when finished. You'll receive a confirmation e-mail when successfully registered. Reservations may be made by phone at 888-3040.

There is no charge to attend the event. Pre-registration is encouraged through the REGISTER NOW link above. Light hors d'oeuvres will be furnished, courtesy of Worthington Libraries and the Chamber, and beverages will be available for purchase.

To inquire about the group or reserve copies of the book selection, contact Jeff Regensburger at Worthington Libraries, phone (614) 807-2621.

QuickConnect, the Chamber's direct sales opportunity for members, gives participants the opportunity to determine quickly if there is a fit in meeting each other's business or personal consumer needs. It's fun, fast and very effective.

The Jan. 25 session will be held at the Schoedinger Funeral Service chapel, 6699 N. High St., Worthington, from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. (Check-in is at 9:45 a.m. Please be sure to arrive at this time so the start of the timed exercise will not be delayed.) 

The QuickConnect session is structured so that each participant will make one-on-one contact with 10 others. Participants face each other and have 90 seconds to discuss their company's products or services. Following each contact, participants indicate the next steps, including talking further about doing business; not a fit; and offering a referral. Prior to the session, participants are provided a business profile/feedback form to complete and bring 11 copies to the session.

Registration is required by Jan. 17, and commitment to your reservation is important to maintain the correct number and "mix" of contacts for optimum connections. Please register clicking on the REGISTER NOW link above or by calling the Chamber office at 888-3040.

Young Professionals of Worthington (YPoW)

Not yet signed up as a YPoW member? This is your chance! The event is free for YPoW members. For prospective members, $30 is your admission to the event AND your annual membership fee if your company is a current Chamber member.

Click here to download a brochure describing YPoW and membership opportunities.

Young professionals from all over central Ohio are invited to a young professionals networking and career development event on Jan. 27, 2011, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at Franklin University-Dublin Campus, 495 Metro Place South, Dublin.

The event is co-sponsored by NexGen, the young professionals affiliate of the Dublin Chamber of Commerce; YPoW, a program of the Worthington Area Chamber of Commerce; and Union County Young Professionals.

The evening features a discussion on "Taking Ownership of Your Career Path" by expert Holly McFarland.

Choosing the right career path is one of the most defining decisions you can make in your life. Today, it is estimated that you will make several major career shifts throughout your working years. By attending this networking event, you will not only meet other young professionals, but also will learn how to stay up-to-date on career management strategies and tools in today's competitive job market.

In this presentation, Holly McFarland, director of the Center for Career Development and Graduate Coaching at Franklin University, will discuss your career plan, how to keep yourself and your skills valuable to your current or potential employer, where to look for career information resources, and the current "hot" careers.

After the presentation, attendees will enjoy networking, free appetizers, and a door prize drawing. The evening is FREE for YPoW, NexGen and Union County YP members, and $10 for non-members. Make your reservation today!

For more information, or to RSVP, visit the Calendar of Events at www.worthingtonchamber.org or call the Chamber office at 614-888-3040.