“Business is our middle name” is a favorite saying around Springfield Business Journal. That’s just who we are.
It is our daily mission to connect businesspeople with the news, information and relationships they have come to depend on to run successful businesses. We endeavor to be accurate, timely, reliable and relevant. We strive for the highest standards of editorial integrity. All great qualities for serious business journalists – but not necessarily the first people you think of when making the guest list for a great party. Am I right?
Perhaps that’s why we were a little surprised when SBJ recently made the short list of prospects University Plaza Hotel General Manager Robert Henley interviewed to continue the successful weekly Happy Hour Live! event previously managed by TAG Magazine. Wednesday evenings 5–7:30 p.m., the University Plaza atrium is alive with local food, music, art and an interesting mix of businesspeople.
“We approached SBJ because of what the event is,” Henley says. “We are a networking social hour. We were looking to keep the fresh, edgy feel of the event and the loyal crowd of attendees, while adding new faces to the mix. SBJ seemed to be the right fit.”
Now, four weeks into the endeavor, SBJ is settling in and starting to feel like part of the party. As is often the case when meeting someone new, it doesn’t take long to discover common ground. University Plaza’s Happy Hour Live and SBJ’s philosophy aren’t altogether different.
Henley’s vision for local flavor, art and music has come to fruition with this event. Each week, a different restaurant provides samples of some of their most popular menu items. A beer, wine or liquor distributor is there to provide a taste of something new or trending. Springfield Regional Arts Council lends expertise by recommending local artists to showcase some of their work. Live music of different genres sets the mood for each party. Best of all, the eclectic mix of local culture brings people together.
SBJ staff members are typically eager to exit the office on Wednesday afternoons to work the event for news tips, networking, story ideas and photo opportunities, of course.
SBJ is proud to spotlight various nonprofit organizations throughout the year as part of our 40 Under 40, Most Influential Women and Men of the Year recognition events. Likewise, we are able to accommodate many requests to participate in fundraising or awareness campaigns as a media partner. However, we recognize the need will always be greater than our ability to help provide assistance.
Happy Hour Live creates a weekly venue for a local nonprofit to showcase the organization, mingle with loyal and prospective supporters, and even fundraise. Attendees of the June 4 event had the opportunity to support Good Samaritans Boys Ranch by purchasing a raffle ticket for a Harley Davidson motorcycle, which was on display just inside the hotel’s front door.
Area businesspeople such as Robert DeVore, Tony Shalloup and Elijah King are longtime supporters of the event, in part, because of the business relationships and opportunities it has afforded them.
“I frequently hear people saying they found the perfect person to fill a job opening or they made an important business connection or they closed a sale because of the people they had access to,” Henley says. “Robert DeVore and Tony Shalloup have each been instrumental in spreading the word and even bringing in other networking groups they are involved with to meet at Happy Hour Live on a regular basis.”
UMB Bank Client Relationship Manager King says, “UP has been one of the biggest successes for me in terms of meeting people. Every single person there has been a new connection and has collectively led to the generation of about $1 million in sales revenue.”
SBJ is honored to have been invited to the party.
In the coming weeks, we will strive to keep the “fresh, edgy feel” of the event while adding a little of our own personality. Maybe you’ll join us.
SBJ Publishing Inc. Publisher Jennifer Jackson can be reached at jjackson@sbj.net.
