Event Review: IABCers Network in Style at First Munch n Mingle of Year

Written by Laura Power, IABC/Toronto member and volunteer. Photos taken by William Smith, IABC/Toronto member and volunteer

Over 75 dedicated IABC members, students and communications professionals braved the wet, windy weather of October 19 to warm up together at IABC Toronto’s first Munch ‘n’ Mingle of the year.

This record-sized crowd helped the initial Munch ‘n’ Mingle of the 2011/2012 calendar year take off in style in the Stealth Lounge at The Pilot in downtown Toronto, from 6:00 – 8:30 p.m. Members and guests were rewarded with two drink tickets (instead of the usual one) and an array of delicious snacks, including gourmet cheeses, shrimp skewers, appetizer platters and sliders.

Networking was encouraged through a simple activity of writing a few conversation starters or personal facts on an additional nametag. While there were some familiar faces in the crowd, it was great to learn more about everyone and get to know a new group of people a bit better.

Feedback from attendees was positive and the event was well-received. “The fall Munch & Mingle started the year off on a great note. I really enjoyed seeing some old faces and shaking hands with the new. The name tag activity was a subtle yet creative way to help us shy people break out of our shells and initiate a conversation. The food and venue were really different from other IABC events I’ve attended,” said Krystal Carter, an IABC/Toronto member and Public Relations Coordinator for the Delta Hotels Corporate Office.

After providing the welcoming remarks, Trell Huether, IABC/Toronto chapter president, handed out some amazing prizes, including a basket from APEX Public Relations filled with Coty beauty products, passes to the AGO courtesy of the Delta Hotel, a Nestlé package, and a ticket to the next Mesh conference, provided by the IABC Toronto chapter. Congratulations to the lucky winners Maria-Leena Clarke, Sheila Corriveau, Tom O’Sullivan and Neil Hrab!

As promised, two tickets to the next Munch ‘n’ Mingle on December 1 were given away to an early bird registrant. Congratulations to Andy Donovan on your win!

Stay tuned for information on the next Munch ‘n’ Mingle, coming up on Thursday, December 1. Hope to see you there!