For local businesses that want to network with other businesses, the Greater Mount Airy Chamber of Commerce is hosting its fourth Speed Networking event at Cross Creek Country Club on Aug. 30 from 3 to 5 p.m.

Tanya Taylor, membership and communication director for the chamber, said the last event was the most highly attended so far and the format has really taken off.

“The businesses are happy that we do an event like this,” said Taylor. “This is an event that is a different approach than our Business After Hours, which is a more of a casual networking opportunity. This is a more face-to-face approach where people can talk about what they have to offer to each other.”

Taylor explained that during the networking event participants have two minutes to tell the person sitting across from them about their business and the services or products they offer. When the two minutes is up, the other person gives his or her spiel. Participants move around in groups of 17.

Taylor said during previous events, there were several people who found out about businesses they had never heard of or didn’t know what they do.

“That’s the kind of thing that this is about — businesses finding out about other businesses in the community that maybe they didn’t really know about and building those types of relationships,” said Taylor.

Some of the more creative participants last year brought things to help people remember their businesses. Gary and Cindy Hoback, owners of Wolf Creek Farms Bed and Breakfast, brought a rather large stuffed wolf rug. Aaron Routh with Hutchens Cleaners brought a shirt on which one side had been dry cleaned and the other one was stained with ink, ketchup, chocolate and juice.

The program is free for chamber members and $10 for non-chamber members. Following the networking event, there will be a social hour from 5 to 6 p.m. during which wine from Old North State Winery will be served and a taco bar will be provided.

Reservations are required by this Friday.

For more information on the Greater Mount Airy Chamber of Commerce, call 786-6116, ext. 4, or email Tanya Taylor at membership@mtairyncchamber.org.

Reach Mondee Tilley at mtilley@heartlandpublications.com or at 719-1930.