The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

Managing Editor Rod Jerred Phone: 905-337-5559 Fax: 905-337-5567 e-mail: rjerred@haltonsearch.com BUSINESS Networking program mixes business with pleasure Business people link up with each other on the golf course By Andrea Lepore OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF People say you should never mix business with pleasure...that is until the Oakville Chamber o f Commerce began its G o lf Networking program. Each Thursday, the Chamber hosts an afternoon o f golf, refreshments and appetizers, along with an opportunity to network with other business profession als in Oakville, helping bring people together that might otherwise never have the chance to interact. According to organizer, and Chamber President Elect. M ike Haines, you don't necessarily have to play g olf to reap the rewards o f the program. " We usually try to help people net work through seminars and trade shows and thought this would be another venue that would be o f benefit to our members. It's an opportunity for people who don't play g o lf at all to have fun," he said. " It's a great way fo r people to do a little business and a little pleasure at the same time." Participants are divided into four somes and play nine holes at the Oakville Executive G o lf and Country Club. The cost is $30 per round for members and $35 for non-members (w alking carts extra). Reservations should be received at the Chamber on the Tuesday preceding the Thursday you wish to play so the foursomes can be arranged. Welcome Wagon and has attended three networking events. She said the pro gram not only allows her to practice her swing, but also gives her the opportuni ty to meet business contacts in a relaxed atmosphere. " The program helps breach the for mality o f things - because it's a small group, things aren't as formal. It's a relaxing way to meet new people and have fun at the same tim e," she said adding those hesitant about their lack o f golfing expertise shouldn't be. " I'm not the best o f golfers but everyone is very encouraging," she added. B ill Harris is the president o f his own financial services company and has participated in the program since the first session. He said the program not only allows him to enjoy the game, but is also an excellent opportunity for business owners to network and educate others. " For a person-to-person financial services business, making contacts is important. Since we aren't able to spend a lot o f money in promotion, word o f mouth is very important." he said. " The program helps people stay in business, Peter C. McCusker · Oakville Beaver generate business and it's a good way to Each Thursday the O akville C ham ber o f Commerce offers its G o lf N etw orking program which has proved to be an get out from behind a desk and meet invaluable tool fo r participants. The afternoon games give people an o pp ortu nity to m ix business w ith pleasure. You different people." Haines, who jokes " my club o f don' t have to be a pro at g o lf to eiyoy the benefits o f this program . Above, Fielding H ow ard, rig h t, creative director o f choice is the ball retriever," said it does MediaEchoes shows his business card to C ham ber o f Commerce/Welcome Wagon's Patti K ohanik and Kay W illiam s n 't matter i f you are a pro or novice, and while netw orking d u rin g a recent golfing afternoon. promises a rewarding experience for all The afternoon begins at 3:30 p.m. on To keep things fresh, each week par was scheduled until the end o ftthe sum players. the g o lf course and usually wraps up ticipants have the opportunity to play mer. but we decided to extend it until " I hope when people are out there around 7:30 p.m. in the clubhouse, with a different foursome to network the end o f September due to the positive doing business, when they need some where participants can enjoy beverages their business and enjoy the pleasures, response. We hope to get more and one in the graphic design field, for and appetizers, as well as share ideas. or aggravations, o f the great game o f more people involved every week." example, a light bulb goes o ff and they " A f tlr the game, we go' to the club golf. Haines said the list o f participants say `I know this person from the g olf house and introduce ourselves and dis Since the program's inception, varies as much as their s k ill set. networking program," ' he said. " It's a cuss all types o f topics. Everyone is Haines says people have had nothing Currently, participants include such - great way fo r people to cultivate their included and each participant delivers a but positive things to say about their professionals as financial planners, real business and have fun." brief synopsis on their business," said golfing experience. estate representatives, graphic design For more information on the G o lf Haines. " Some get so engrossed in the " Every person who has played says ers. management consultants and Networking program, call the Oakville discussion that they don' t want to it's a great idea and they would like to bankers.. .to name just a few. Chamber o f Commerce at 905-845leave." see it continue," he said. " The program Patti Kohanik from O a kville 's 6613. IT S TIM l TO DRIVE Honda Stop dreaming. Start driving. Purchase financing up to 60 months Odyssey E X s3 5 ,200« 240-hp, 3.5-Litre, 24-Valve VTECTM V6 · Front/Rear Air Conditioning · 5-Speed Automatic Transmission · Dual-Stage, Dual-Threshold Front Airbags and Front Side Airbags · AM/FM/CD Audio System with 6-Speakers · Power Door Locks & Windows · Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) Retractable 3rd-Row Magic Seat"1· Dual Power Sliding Doors · Automatic Climate Control (front) · HomeUnk* Remote System · Security System with Keyless Remote Entry · Alloy Wheels · Roof Side Rails. per m onth for 48 m onths w ith $ 5 ,0 6 2 d o w n . Freight & P.D.E. included s0 S e cu rity D eposit . * °/ ' /O Lease or Purchase Financing NHTSA FIVE-STAR SAFETY RATING « CR-V EX !2 8 .900,, "'5 .% · 4-Wheel Disc Brakes (ABS). Purchase Financing · 160-hp, 2.4 Litre i-VTEC" Engine · Real Time1 * 4-Wheel Drive · 5-Speed Manual Transmission · Air Conditioning with Micron Air-Filtration System · Power Windows, Door Locks and Heated Door Mirrors · AM/FM, 6-Disc In-Dash CD Changer/Cassette Audio System with 6 Speakers · Keyless Remote Entry COMPLIMENTARY f il l -u p V li j NHTSA hVE-STAR SAFETY RATING * All new Honda vehicles are delivered w ith a fu ll tank. | Lease and finance offers are available, on approved credit, only through Honda Canada Finance inc.. until September 30. 2003 Lease payment shown is for 48 months and includes $1,240 for freight and P.D.L with 96.000 km allowance (12<Am exceeding 96.000 lun applies) /B a s e d on a new 2003 Odyssey EX (model RL1863PK) S378 per month for 48 months. A.LR. 3.8% (total lease obligation of $18,144). Down payment or equivalent trade of $5,062 required (wro down payment plans available), plus first monthly payment. Option to purchase at lease end for $16,896 plus taxes ' M.S.R.P. does not include freight and P0.E. ($1,240). #3.8%/5.8% conventional financing is available on all new 2003 Odyssey/CR-V foe 24.36.48 or 60 month terms. Financing example. $20,000 at 3.8%/5.8% per annum equals $366.53/$384.80 per month for60 months. C.O.B. is $1.991.80/$3.088.00 for a total obligation of $21.991.80/$23.088.00. Down payment may be required. //#/*Taxes. licence, insurance, registration and maintenance fees are additional. Dealer may sell/lease for less. tSee Car and Oriver magazine. July 2002. ttC rash tests by NHTSA are based on a 2003 Odyssey/CR-V for front and side-impacts. For more details visit www.nhtsa.com. See your neighbourhood Ontario Honda dealer for details. r II > 6 crN eigtxxrbood Honda DEALERS ONTARIO HONDA