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The PMI Portland chapter launched its first Career Networking Event, “Taking the Work out of Networking” on Tuesday, May 12, 2009, at Souk in downtown Portland. The PMI-Portland Marketing team created the event to provide project managers with a dedicated time to focus on peer-to-peer and recruiter networking.
Scheduled after work hours from 5:30pm – 7:30pm, attendees were able to meet fellow professionals, mingle with PMI members, and mix with recruiting companies. Sponsorships from professional staffing firms Apex, Meridian, Protingent, and VanderHouwen helped fund the event which was free for all registrants.
With a relaxed, casual atmosphere, the evening was designed to make networking easy and fun. Souk, providing creative and professional work space, was the perfect backdrop for networking, with high ceilings, exposed wood beams and brick walls. Music, appetizers, and a no-host wine and beer bar also contributed to the comfortable, laid-back environment.
To help attendees take the work out of networking, the PMI-Portland Marketing team prepared an entertaining “Networking Bingo” game. Conversations were sparked as players searched to find fellow event-goers that met criteria listed in each square of the bingo card. Competition was fierce with prizes awarded to the first three networkers who completed a row of squares and scored BINGO. Third prize, a $10 gift card to Barnes & Noble was awarded to Terrie Ray. Second place finisher, Holly Howard, received a $25 Barnes & Noble gift card, and first prize, a $50 Barnes & Noble gift card, was captured by Vito Errico. Congratulations to all the winners, and thanks for playing Networking Bingo!
The PMI chapter and sponsors also conducted raffles throughout the event. Apex raffle winner, Jose Ruiz-Osuna, received a golf windbreaker package. Chris Rupp was the lucky winner of the Meridian raffle, walking away with an amazing interviewing kit complete with leather briefcase, helpful books, and a USB drive. VanderHouwen awarded two prizes - Gift Cards from Stanford’s – to winners Michael Braschayko and Saby Waraich. PMI-Portland presented two bottles of wine to raffle winner Kerry Sharp.
Over 17 volunteers were involved in making the self-catered evening a true success! Thanks to all of the volunteers who helped make this event possible: Hank Barnett, Jeff Brummel, Jeanine Brummel, Meagan Brummel, Eldon delaCruz, Darin Goble, Lin Johnson, Shannon Mahoney, Joseph Marietta, Kevin Nichols, Erik Odegard, Roger Parish, Katie Plowman, Terrie Ray, Sujitha Seeveratnam, Saby Waraich, and Jerry Young.
Based on anonymous survey results, the event received 92% satisfaction rating with over 75% of respondents planning to attend future events. One survey-taker said, “I appreciated the friendly, open environment of the event. I was able to meet many new people.”
The next Career Networking event is being planned by the Marketing team for early Fall 2009.
If you have suggestions, comments, or would like to volunteer, please email networking@pmi-portland.
Pam Melton, Director of Career Networking
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