LARGEST MIXER GETS ACCOLADES FROM STATE SENATOR

State Senator Mark Ridley-Thomas, the Chairman of the State Business, Professions and Economic Development Committee, stopped by LA's Largest Mixer X to present an award to Event Producer, Dave Linden.

The award was given to commemorate the 10 anniversary of LA's Largest Mixer.

"Participating in LA's Largest Mixer X was one of the highlights of my summer," the Senator told us. "I am particularly proud that 6 of the 30 organizing chambers are in the 26th Senate District (Culver City, Greater West L.A., Hollywood, LA, LA Junior Chamber and West Hollywood). I will definitely become a regular!"

Senator Ridley-Thomas presented the award on 790 TalkRadio KABC's The Al Rantel Show, which was broadcasting live from the Mixer under the big red KABC tent. Al Rantel has been doing his radio show at the Largest Mixer events since 2004 and we were more than excited to have him back at this 10th anniversary event.

Not only were we excited to have him back, but the Senator went on to say,  "May I also offer best wishes for continued recovery to our excellent Mixer Emcee, Mr. Al Rantel."

From L to R: Steve Rose, President/CEO, Culver City Chamber, BJ, Dave Linden, Event Producer, LA's Largest Mixer, 

State Senator Mark Ridley-Thomas, Al Rantel, KABC Radio, Matt Mallon, Vice President, KABC Radio

The broadcast was sponsored by Administaff. And a special thanks goes out to KABC's Vice President, Matt Mallon for all of his support over the years. As we always say here at the Largest Mixer, "there's no place better to advertise your business on the radio than on the great KABC!"

For a link to the Senator's website click here.

To listen live to KABC TalkRadio any time you want click here.

LA'S LARGEST MIXER X

The Shrine Auditorium Expo Center was a hot spot of activity on July 24, 2008. Thousands upon thousands of Southern California business people were flocking to The Shrine with business cards in hand, ready for LA's Largest Mixer X.

Now in its 10th successful year, the Mixer has grown to represent a powerful meeting of Los Angeles area chambers of commerce and local businesses representing hundreds of industries and companies in Southern California. This year was no different with almost 3000 participants and over 250 exhibitors, it truly was LA's ultimate business networking event!

From small to large companies and almost every industry in between filled up both levels of the Expo Center. "We're having a really good time. Everyone is really nice and a lot of people are interested in our booth which is great," said Natalie Genest, Sales Manager for Hornblower Cruises & Events, one of the 250 exhibitors this year.

"We're getting a lot of exposure so it's good. We're getting our name out, letting people know who we are. We just remodeled, spent 70 million dollars renovating the hotel. So it's just a good way to send that information out to 3,000 people in one night!" said Joanie Allen, Senior Events Sales Manager of the Sofitel Hotel in Los Angeles.

Even non-profits got in on the fun at LA's Largest Mixer, as Trena Pitchford, Director of Corporate Partnerships for Big Brothers & Big Sisters explains, "I stumbled upon the website because I was researching sponsorship possibilities for the Inland Empire and I was just amazed that it was supported by so many chambers of commerce, it's ridiculous! We're a non-profit and we're trying to build our corporate partnership relationship. So that's why we're here!" 

And that is why the Largest Mixer is here as well! 

The goal of L.A.’s Largest Mixer is to encourage membership in one or several chambers of commerce, allowing businesses to grow based on a wider network of support. Each participating chamber of commerce and business group will have a booth with representatives to answer questions about their organization. One particular chamber that attended this year's event was the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce who is a founding sponsor, having had booths at LA's Largest Mixer for the past 10 years! Tim Overbeck, Membership Account Executive for the chamber told us, "We're very happy to be back and to support all of the other chambers in their efforts. I'm having a blast. But I haven't had a chance to get around yet because our booth's been so busy!"

The mixer also provides a chance for businesses to network with each other for mutual support. 

"I really love this event," raved Gary Martin, Business Development Executive for OfficeMax. "It's a great way to meet people and network. Having this many companies in one location is great. For salesmen it's not often you can make this many sales calls in one area!"

The Largest Mixer would like to thank James and Patricia Tucker from OnWeb Television who made a promotional video for us from the footage they shot at the LA's Largest Mixer...

We would also like to thank ALL the attendees and participants for making the 1oth anniversary of the LA's Largest Mixer so wonderful, exciting and succesful. We hope to see all of you next year at The Shrine on July 23, 2009!

To view a list of all of our exhibitors click here.

For media and co-sponsors click here.

L.A.’s Largest Mixer X is hosted by the following organizations: Chambers of Commerce: California Junior, Canoga Park/West Hills, Century City, Culver City, East LA, Greater El Sereno, Greater Lakewood, Greater San Fernando Valley, Greater West Los Angeles, Hollywood, La Verne Chamber, Los Angeles Area, LA Junior, Miracle Mile, Regional Black, Santa Monica, Sherman Oaks, United Chambers-San Fernando Valley, Universal City North Hollywood, and West Hollywood. Convention and Visitors Bureaus: Anaheim/Orange County Visitor & Convention Bureau, and LA INC. Business Organizations: American Business Women's Association, Asian Business Association, Downtown LA Business Improvement District, HSMAI-Greater Los Angeles Chapter, National Association Of Women Business Owners-Los Angeles, Rotary Club of Los Angeles, Travel and Tourism Marketing Association, and Valley Industry & Commerce Association. 

The event is produced by The Dave Linden Group, Inc.

LAS VEGAS' LARGEST MIXER IS COMING!

LARGEST MIXER BUSINESS EXPO- THOUSANDS OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA BUSINESS PEOPLE TAKE CONTROL OF THEIR OWN ECONOMY AT 10th ANNUAL BUSINESS MIXER/EXPO

L.A.'s Largest Mixer X Joins Chambers Of Commerce with Professionals Helping Businesses Build Relationships

Thousands of Southern California business people will take control of their own economy, Thursday, July 24, 2008 from 5 to 9 p.m., as the 10th annual L.A.'s Largest Mixer takes center stage at The Shrine Auditorium Expo Center, 700 W. 32nd St., Los Angeles, CA 90007.

Now in its 10th successful year, the Mixer has grown to represent a powerful meeting of Los Angeles area chambers of commerce and local businesses representing hundreds of industries and companies in Southern California. Last year, over 2800 business people came together for this ultimate business networking event.

Show Highlights Include:
1. Over 3000 Attendees: Mix and mingle with hundreds and hundreds of business professionals from around Southern California.

2. Visit Over 250 Exhibitor Booths: From small to large companies and almost every industry in between, visit the exhibitors of the L.A. Mixer on both levels of The Shrine Auditorium Expo Center.

3. TalkRadio 790 KABC Live Broadcast: KABC Radio's Al Rantel will broadcast live starting at 7 p.m.

4. Mix & Mingle in the Diamonds & Cream Lounge: Network in the "Official Networking Lounge of the L.A. Mixer" -- sponsored by Diamonds & Cream Events. A jazz bar-type lounge, grab a cocktail while mixing and mingling with potential clients.

5. Learn About the Benefits of Being a Chamber Member: Visit the booths of the participating 30 chambers and business organizations located throughout the event to learn how becoming a member can increase business.

Attendee tickets are $20 per person and can be purchased online at http://www.largestmixer.com/lamixer/tickets.php

For a complete list of exhibitors and sponsors, please visit www.lamixer.com or call 

323-230-5656 for further information.

L.A.'s Largest Mixer is produced by The Dave Linden Group, Inc.

LA's LARGEST MIXER X VIP KICK-OFF EVENT

The Largest Mixer hosted it's VIP Kick-off Event for the fast approaching LA's Largest Mixer X, july 24th at the Shrine Auditorium. 

The soiree was held at the stylish Wilhelm’s Savannah in Century City on Wednesday, July 9. Attended by almost two-hundred business people, the event was a great opportunity for the participants to meet all of the other sponsors, cosponsors and exhibitors for L.A.'s Largest Mixer X. One such exhibitor, Jigger Abendano, Special Events Manager for SpeedZone, echoed this idea when he said "It's like a micro-dimension of the actual Largest Mixer and it lets us warm up with each other before the mixer- you also get to see who your competition is!" 

The kick-off was so well attended that this Largest Mixer reporter could hardly make her way through the crowd to talk to people and take pictures. The only other people who had as hard of a time as I did trying to make the rounds were the servers passing out the complimentary hors d'oeuvres; they could hardly keep the food on the trays! "The kick-off event is great! It's so crowded we can't even see the servers!" joked Rich Wallace from the Southern California Black Chamber of Commerce.

exchanging business cards at the kick-off event

Every where you looked there were people exchanging business cards, mixing, mingling, laughing and connecting- the sound was amazing, and it was just a taste of the things to come with LA's Largest Mixer X. Even a the possibility of winning a free dinner cruise could hardly stop all the activity as Dave Linden, Event Producer for the Largest Mixer, found out when he tried to quiet the crowd and commence with the "business card draw" giveaway contest.

Attendees had the oportunity to win one of the following five things:

1. A Hornblower Cruises and Events "Friday Night Blues Dinner Cruise" plus a one nigh stay at the Marina del Rey Marriott. (Won by Jigger Abendano from SpeedZone.)

2. A $50 Gift Certificate to Westfield Century City courtesy of the Century City Chamber of Commerce. (Won by Rose Cote from Los Angeles World Airports.)

3. A one night stay in a luxurious Marina View room at the Inn at Playa del Rey. (Won by Daniel Roebuck from cpSphere.)

4. Passes to Universal Studios Theme Park, donated by Edgar Mejia from Conexion. (Won by Susan Bursk from the Century City Chamber of Commerce.)

5. Brownies donated by Randy Fuhrman, CEO Randy Fuhrman Events. (Won by Bruce Hatefi from Repicci's Italian Ice.)

Congratulations to the lucky winners and thanks to the people who contributed such awesome prizes! 

Contest winner Jigger Abendano and Stephanie Anda, both with SpeedZone, talk with other Largest Mixer exhibitors.

But it seemed like everyone was a winner for just attending the event, like business women Christine Redlin and Margot M. Jackson, Esq. who met for the first time at the kick-off event. The two women started talking about their respective businesses, Christine does client relations for United Independent Taxi and Margot does financial services for Primerica, when Christine had a great idea to combine their businesses! She mentioned that her taxi drivers were all independent contractors and that Margot should come in and and talk to the drivers about their finances. "If it weren't for the Largest Mixer we never would have met!" exclaimed Christine, "Thank God for Dave, thank God for the Largest Mixer-" "And thank God for Dave's mom for bringing Dave into the world!" added a jovial Margot.

While we're on the topic of giving thanks... 

The Largest Mixer would like to thank KABC Radio, Hope Financial USA, Inc., Groove Footware, OWL Enterprise and Wilhelm’s Savannah for their incredible support and sponsorship of the evening. The event wouldn't be possible without the special attention to detail from Savannah's Russ Klop and Ed Brodersen.

Wow, if the kick-off event was this well attended we can only imagine what the actual event will be like! We'll find out on July 24 at LA's Largest Mixer X!

For more photos from the kick-off event please visit our Flickr page at www.flickr.com/photos/largestmixer

THE LARGEST MIXER GOES TO HOLLYWOOD

The Largest Mixer kicked-off their 4th of July holiday weekend with the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce's A-LIST Mixer at Lucky Strike Lanes. The A-LIST Mixer is a networking event designed for young professionals and the "young at heart" to network with peers at a "hip area venue." 

For us it was a chance to eat, drink, bowl and network with awesome people like Mark Panatier, Chairman of the Board for the  Hollywood Chamber and Vice President of the A.F. Gilmore Company (aka- the Farmers Market, a Largest Mixer favorite), Kitty Gordillo, the Development Director for the Los Angeles YMCA and Kristen Kendall, President of Out Of The Box Events. And it wouldn't be a Hollywood mixer without the people that help shape Hollywood- Brent Gonzales with Hollywood & Highland (the center in which the party was held), Alex Avena with Warner Bros Studios, Rowena Adalide with the Kodak Theater, and Nicole Fairres with The Hollywood Reporter.

As always the Largest Mixer would like to thank the Chamber staff for their hard work that went into producing such a nice event. So this special shout out goes to Kaylee Kiecker and Marlene Panoyan from the Hollywood Chamber. Thanks for a fun and rocking evening and all your help.

ADMINISTAFF TO CO-SPONSOR KABC'S LIVE BROADCAST AT LA MIXER

We were thrilled to get the phone call this morning from KABC telling us that Administaff has come on-board to sponsor the live remote broadcast of the Al Rantel Show at the 10th anniversary of LA's Largest Mixer on July 24! 

Administaff is the provider of administrative relief, big company benefits, reduced liabilities and a systematic way to improve productivity. And more than that, is an awesome company with great taste in networking event sponsorship.

We've also been happy to have Al Rantel, from 790 KABC TalkRadio, at our events for the last five years! So if you can't make it to LA's Largest Mixer, you can at least listen to the Mixer on 790 KABC. But better yet, just come out to the Mixer and listen to Al Rantel LIVE! How many chances do you get to do that? 

photo of Al Rantel at Orange County's Largest Mixer IV

Largest Mixer in San Francisco

From West Hollywood to San Fransisco... where there's a networking event in California the Largest Mixer will be there! 

This past week the Largest Mixer traveled to San Fransico for Gay Pride '08. This event was all about great food, great causes and a great time! Lots of Bay Area businesses participated in Gay Pride '08, to showcase their products and their support for the gay and lesbian community. Along with local businesses there were also booths from large corporations, hospitals and even support groups! But we have to be honest and say that we were a little bummed by the scarcity of cute doggie boutique booths this year. The Largest Mixer needs it's fix of adorable puppy accouterments. 

Aside from the lack of doggie booths, we were happy to see that that CVS Pharmacy was involved and was gracious enough to hand out promotional bags filled with many useful things such as Band-Aids, sticky notes and heating pads! Kaiser Permanente was thoughtful enough to provide free sun-block and chap-stick, which really came in handy at an outdoor event. We have to give the "most creative booth" award to joiedevivrehotels.com for their use of polaroids and a catchy slogan- "get a room." But the most helpful promotional item came from the Golden Gate Business Association and the Rainbow Chamber of Commerce Silicon Valley who combined their sources to create the "premier LGBT business directory of the San Fransisco Bay Area!" And you bet we got our hands on one of those babies.

All in all San Francisco Gay Pride '08 was a wonderful success! It was an easy networking event as all the attendees were very kind and happy, feeding off the vibe of the event.