Tony Vallejo, Chamber Board Member, represents speaker sponsor Palius & O'Kelley with an informative talk.

If you missed the February 2nd B2B Breakfast, you missed connecting with 140 professionals celebrating Groundhog Day in accelerated networking mode. Many brand-new guests were drawn to this event by the Chamber's new $5 pricing policy for first-timers. In a scene that will be repeated each month throughout 2010, guests were greeted with the enticing aroma of Zizzo's Coffee and eggs, home fries and fruit from catering sponsor Marmalade Café.

With Palius + O'Kelley Certified Public Accountants as this month's official B2B speaker sponsor, Tony Vallejo (a newly installed Chamber Board member) delivered an informative presentation about the many ways that this firm supports the success of its business clients far beyond bookkeeping and tax preparation. 

Emceed by Mark Dispenza, Holmes & Holmes Insurance Agency, and Drew "Mr. Ramada" Wakefield, B2B attendees shared their 20-second business "commercials" with enthusiasm. Perennial favorites TechEase delighted the audience with yet another classic musical number, singing "I Say a Little Curse at It" to the tune of "I Say a Little Prayer for You." The Spirit of Business award for most creative promo this month—a $100 gift certificate from Baroness Jewelers—went to The Writing Goddess Teri Breier for her inventive use of a stuffed groundhog.

The promotion segment had a special focus on the upcoming Night of Indulgence event for women on Feb. 16th, hosted by a team of Chamber members including: Dr. Kara Gochnour of Santa Barbara Wellness for Life, Kathy Gruver, Healing Circle Massage; Teri Coffee McDuffie, Santa Barbara Women's Self-Defense; Lindsey Eltinge Photography; Michelle Bischoff, Mary Kay Cosmetics; and Teri Breier, The Writing Goddess. Marmalade Cafe is donating food and Max White will serve as a "guide" for guests. Within days after the B2B, this event quickly sold out.

Sound for the meeting was provided by Santa Barbara AMS Entertainment.

The next B2B Breakfast will be on Tues., March 2nd. Attendees are encouraged to pre-register online by noon the previous Friday for inclusion on the "Hot Sheet."