Chamber event reminds us to keep talking

You might expect a gathering of today’s businesses leaders to be full of doom and gloom.

But not the networking meeting I’ve just returned from – a lunch at the Rose Bowl hosted superbly as usual by Southampton & Fareham Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Representatives from around 60 businesses were there to chat, swap contact details and preview a series of Chamber events coming up in 2009.

I spoke with a wine merchant, a motor trader, various financial services directors, a head of business development and the regional sales manager for a thriving hotel group.

While everyone was sure this will be an extremely tough year – no one was making rash predictions of green shoots like a certain UK government Minister did this week – the mood was positive.

There was a feeling that firms would do well to keep talking in 2009, learn from each other and look to regional forums and other business groups for support and advice.

The message from today’s event was that if you can ride out the recession, now more than ever is the time to make friends in the business community and build relationships for the future.