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Date: 4/18/2023
SPRINGFIELD — It has been three years since the coronavirus pandemic forced many companies and its employees out of the office and into their homes. While some sort of normalcy has since returned, not all employees have.
To bring back a form of in-person gatherings, conversations and connections, Max’s Tavern Public Relations Director AnnMarie Harding established a free monthly networking event called Max on Monday.
“With so many working remotely, [people] are getting distant from the heartbeat of the work world,” said Harding. From home, colleagues are not able to brainstorm and problem solve as easily or have the physical connection that Harding believes is important.
While some think working from home provides them more time to do the laundry or go on a walk, the crucial parts of the job are lacking.
“[The] business setting helps you get creative and validates what you’re doing,” Harding said. “People need to get dressed up again and get back into business mode.”
With this in mind, she shared, “I need to do something to get people to downtown Springfield.” Quickly, Harding turned her vision into a reality and hosted the first Max on Monday on April 3. Max’s Tavern partnered with the Springfield Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Young Professionals Society of Greater Springfield for this kick-off event.
Inside of Max’s Tavern – at the Basketball Hall of Fame – 140 guests gathered. “We welcome a variety of people and businesses,” said Harding.
She plans on making this a monthly event, to take place on the first Monday of each month from 4-6 p.m. Here, attendees can establish connections while enjoying complementary hors d’oeuvres from Max Catering, as well as cocktails and other beverages available for purchase at a cash bar. At the first event, Mad River Distillers offered a free bourbon tasting.
To enhance the fun, Harding will bring in an artist each month to show off their work and do it in motion during the event. On April 3, Samantha Yunes, a multimedia artist and student from Williston Northampton School, was the featured artist.
Harding also plans to feature four different businesses monthly. In April, the businesses were Astro Chemicals, Raymond James, Florence Bank and Western New England University. Leading up to the event and on the day of, the businesses are placed on promotional materials, are provided with table space to hand out their promotional materials, as well as having their names printed on posters, handouts and more.
To be a featured business, Harding said they must agree to purchase a $100 gift card to Max’s in advance to be included in a drawing during the event. The business must guarantee at least 10 guests will attend in which they do not have to be employees. Lastly, the featured business should promote the event through its own networking channels and provide a high-resolution logo to be included on all promotional materials.
Harding shared that she selected the first four businesses in April based on existing connections in the business world as well their ties to Max’s.
In addition to the businesses, one local charity will be featured monthly to raise awareness. In April, in honor of Autism Awareness Month, the May Center School for Autism and Developmental Disabilities was featured.
To promote this event, information has been sent out through Max’s email blast, posters and handouts have been circulating and each business who is aware of it, has been connecting through their own networks.
“There was networking before the event even started,” Harding said. She noted that this “makes a networking event even more amazing.”
Looking at the big picture, Harding is hoping for Max on Monday to be “the greatest networking event in Western Massachusetts.”
When people attend the event, Harding said she would like them to think about hosting an office party or gathering outside of work. This could be a way to meet new employees, acknowledge special achievements, birthdays, retirees and more.
While many small businesses do not have the funds to host these types of gatherings, Harding is hoping that this free event will make up for that. “You can have a small office party in a big networking event,” she shared.
As long as the event is successful, Harding plans to continue it.
The next Max on Monday will be on May 1 from 4 to 6 p.m. Harding initially thought this time would be difficult for people to make, but like the work week, she believes people are shortening their workday.
The four featured businesses in May will be New England Business Machine, Foley Connelly Financial Partners, Naples Realty Group and Contractors Home Appliances.
The featured charity will be the West Springfield Boys and Girls Club.
On June 5, Max on Monday will feature Liberty Bank, Bacon Wilson, P.C.; Burgess, Robb & Grassetti, P.C.; and The Dowd Insurance Agencies.
To attend the event, RSVPS are encouraged and can be made by contacting Harding at 413-244-4055 or aharding@maxtavern.com.
“Don’t miss Max on Monday … You don’t want to just hear about it,” she concluded.