Looking for new business connections? The luck of the Irish is with you this month. Great networking,  as well as complimentary appetizers and beverages, door prizes and professional exchange with a St. Patrick's Day theme, will be available at the Chamber's next Business After Hours. Hosted by the Hilton Garden Inn, 8535 Lyra Dr., in the Polaris area, the BAH will be held on Tuesday, March 15, from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.  Business After Hours (BAH) events are designed to give Worthington Chamber members the opportunity to network with other members in an informal setting and to learn more about Chamber member businesses.

We encourage pre-registration. Select "REGISTER NOW" above to reach the online registration page, and follow the registration prompts.  Be sure to click "SUBMIT." You'll receive an e-mail confirmation when successfully registered. Members who pre-register on our website by March 14 at noon will receive preprinted name tags, eligibility for extra door prizes, and listing in the "Know Before You Go" section of the Web site.

Looking ahead: Business Before Hours on April 20 at Greek Express; Business After Hours on May 11 at Rivage Atlantique.  

Join members of Young Professionals of Worthington (YpoW) for a March Madness career- and connection-building event on Wednesday, March 23, from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. at Nationwide's Polaris On Your Side Center (corner of Rt. 23 and Polaris Parkway).

From 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., Jason Taylor of Nationwide Insurance and Jack Windsor of Windsor LLC will lead a discussion on how to increase business and retention in our ever-changing business environment.  The second hour of the event, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., will be devoted to open networking at a mixer at "The Pub" at NorthPointe, just 100 feet from Nationwide on the campus of The Conference Center at NorthPointe.  

Food will be sponsored by Nationwide. Attendees will be eligible for a door prize drawing, including a Nationwide Goody Bag and a gift certificate to G Worthy's Bar and Grill. Make your reservations today through the REGISTER NOW block above or by calling 614-888-3040.

YPoW is a Chamber affiliate for members ages 21-39. Year-round sponsors are AAA Ohio Auto Club and Anthem Blue Cross & Blue Shield.

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 events AND your annual membership fee if your company is a current Chamber member. Click here to download a brochure describing YPoW and membership opportunities.

Join the Women's Business Network of the Chamber for a luncheon on Thursday, April 21, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. at Crowne Plaza Columbus North, 6500 Doubletree Ave.

The featured speaker is Pat Carpenter, from Sequent and OAD Publishing, author of "The Caregiver's Roadmap."

Married to another financial planning professional, Pat thought her family was well prepared for terminal illness. Updated wills, advance directives and powers of attorney distributed, separate credit histories, personal life insurance in place: good basic planning, but not enough.

Caregiver's Roadmap is about what she and her late husband learned that wasn't obvious:

• How do you keep friends updated when you're exhausted?
• How do you find the right doctor?
• Where do you find resources?
• How do you protect your energy level?
• What is important to keep doing, and what can you let slide?
• And, oh, what about work?

Through the six years after diagnosis, they learned how to cope. They built a bridge over the barrier of illness. And they figured out how to say good bye. Pat will share the journey that led to her book and her expertise in helping others.

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 April 15. Reserve your place through the"REGISTER NOW" link to the event web page, or call 888-3040. Gentlemen are always welcome at programs conducted by the Women's Business Network.

Looking ahead: May 17 Women's Business Luncheon at Oakland Nursery. Save the date for the Progressive Power Luncheon on Oct. 13.  

Recognize and reward a fellow business leader who demonstrates excellence by nominating him or her for the Chamber's annual Small Business Person of the Year Award.

Initiated in 1987, the award is one of the ways our Chamber demonstrates its support for small businesses and recognizes those who are succeeding, have shown growth and are involved in the betterment of the Worthington community. Click here to view a list of past honorees on the Chamber website. 

To be eligible for this honor, candidates must be independently owned, have equity position in the company or be a locally owned franchise. They must have operated their business for at least three years and currently be located in the Chamber's service area.

Candidates must have 50 or fewer employees and have demonstrated community involvement. Those who are nominated must also show examples of successful solutions to business problems, have a reputation for personal integrity and fair business practices, be financially strong and profitable and demonstrate management or product innovation.