Fast Friends and Fresh Faces: Speed Networking with The Chamber ALX
Networking at 8:30am comes naturally to some. Others, like me, need a cup (or two) of coffee to get into the groove. At The Chamber ALX’s June Networking Breakfast, presented by CommonWealth One Federal Credit Union at Josephine on St. Asaph Street, I was reminded that business cards are still very much in play, especially when there’s great prizes being given away.
In a room full of unfamiliar faces, it’s natural to gravitate toward people you already know. I sat next to Rich Daniel, owner and team president of the D.C. Divas, whom I’ve known for a few years. The Divas celebrate a major milestone this year—25 years of play! It’s exciting to see women’s sports thriving right in our own backyard. You can catch their next game this Saturday, June 14 at Annandale High School at 6pm.
As Chamber President Joe Haggerty opened the event, he said two words that made me sit up straighter: speed networking. I love meeting new people, but yes, I still needed more coffee.
Here’s how it works: when you're seated, a placard in front of you tells you which table to move to next. You spend about 10 minutes at each table, doing introductions and exchanging elevator pitches and business cards. Then you’re off to the next one. It’s a fast-paced, efficient way to make genuine connections in just an hour.
Whenever new businesses ask me which organizations to join, I always recommend The Chamber. They go out of their way to build community, create meaningful connections, host valuable events, and celebrate member achievements.
Speed networking nudges you out of your comfort zone and into fresh conversations. You never know who you’ll meet, or how you might collaborate down the line.
The room was filled with a diverse mix of attendees: long-standing institutions, startups, creatives, consultants, and entrepreneurs. It’s a great way to track how Alexandria’s business landscape is evolving—and meet the people shaping it.
At one table, I met Marita Rodriguez, Executive Director of Corporate Partnerships for the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Her nationally recognized organization, whose headquarters are in Carlyle, recently joined the Chamber to get more connected locally.
At another, I connected with Lucy von Fahnestock of Together We Bake. I’ve been wanting to meet someone from their team, and when Lucy—who leads their development efforts—sat down, we both said, “I’ve been wanting to meet you!”
Caroline McLaughlan from KME Digital shared how they help businesses strengthen SEO and improve their websites. I also met Kelly Piatti of Decorating and Such, who follows Stylebook and handed me a card that proudly reads: Affordable Room Makeovers Starting at $99—a message as memorable as the name. At my last table I sat next to Emmanuel Obe, Business & Community Development Manager, who shared that CommonWealthOne hosts financial workshops to bring to the workplace for budgeting, retirement planning and more. They’re also opening their third Alexandria branch on Duke Street at the Shoppes at Foxchase on Duke Street. Emmanuel handed me a nice branded red notebook – can never have too many notebooks!
And of course, the beautiful setting at Josephine stole the show. As someone who’s hosted many events, I immediately appreciated the cozy atmosphere, plush carpeting, grand staircase—and a rare gem for more intimate business gatherings: a ceiling-mounted projector.
Already looking forward to the next one!
SEE ALSO: Raise a Glass: June’s Spirit-Filled Celebrations at MGM National Harbor
