The Dec. 11 Business After Hours at City National Bank in Kanawha City was, again, a huge success, attracting more than 200 guests. The weather might have been horrible, but it didn't deter the crowd.

Representatives from chambers of commerce around the state stopped by to see what an Alliance Business After Hours is all about. The West Virginia Association of Chambers of Commerce met earlier that day at the Town Center Marriott. The guest speaker was Kyle Sexton, founder of fastchamber.com, who also came. He later talked about the event on the Salem, Oregon, Chamber of Commerce blog:

I'm in Charleston, West Virginia, at a Charleston Area Alliance Business After Hours hosted by City National Bank, and across the room I spy a face I remember. This gentleman in wearing a name tag that says "Matthew," and I said to my host from the West Virginia (state) Chamber of Commerce, "I know that guy."

"There's no way," she replies. "You're three thousand miles from home."

But I insisted, and then it came to me. "Mingrone," I said. "His last name is Mingrone." Matthew Mingrone was the Marketing Director for Chinook Winds Casino in Lincoln City, a member of the Salem Chamber.

I walked up and re-introduced myself, and caught up. He's now working for Tri-City Dog Track in Charleston, West Virginia, and you can imagine his surprise when the membership director from his chamber of commerce 2 jobs ago recognized him from across the room 3000 miles from home. It's a small world!

Click here to view the blog.