January 29th was a BIG DAY in the history of Eastbridge Business Connections (EBC). The day began with a live-to-air interview with Jason Kipfer, EBC Co-founder and Chair being invited down to the 570 News Station for a seat on the Mike Farwell Show where he provided listeners with an update on the many achievements EBC realized throughout 2023. That evening, the day concluded with the single largest-attended Meetup in EBC’s seven-year history with 143 people in attendance!
A special thanks to EBC volunteers and to chapter chairs who have helped expand this initiative throughout and beyond Waterloo Region. A BIG THANK YOU to Jay Taylor and Soupy Campbell of Morty's Pub for hosting EBC’s seventh anniversary Meetup and to Richard Terpstra (Executive Contracting), Mike MacKinnon (Monarch Fine Landscapes and Interiors) and Tanner Bergsma (AR Legacy Printing / One Voice Change Makers Alliance) for co-sponsoring the Meetup as our Happy Hour Meetup Sponsors!
EBC would also like to recognize and thank Jason Panda, Photographer & Artist for capturing the energy and vibe emanating throughout the entire venue that evening as EBC's Community Engagement Sponsor.
Lastly, the evening wouldn't have been a success without the ongoing support of EBC’s 40 valued Annual Meetup Door Prize Sponsors for making EBC known for its renowned door prize program in giving out more than $20,000 in door prizes throughout 2024.
It was a BIG NIGHT at one of our smaller venues which more than delivered and met our Meetup expectations! A BIG THANK YOU to Dion Buckley, Food and Beverage Services Coordinator at the City of Waterloo for welcoming us back to the Benchwarmer Sports Bar (RIM Park).
Eastbridge Business Connections would like to also thank Chris O'Dell, Franchise Owner of Wally Parr Sausage for providing attendees with a $25 gift card to his retail store, and Steve Innocente, President & Head Brewer of Innocente Brewing Company for working with the venue to ensure attendees were able to enjoy cans of our co-branded Eastbridge Ice Breaker golden ale beer!
EBC would also like to recognize and thank Jason Panda, Photographer & Artist for capturing the energy and vibe emanating throughout the entire venue that evening as EBC's Community Engagement Sponsor.
Lastly, the evening wouldn't have been a success without the ongoing support of EBC’s 43 valued Annual Meetup Door Prize Sponsors for making EBC known for its renowned door prize program in giving out more than $23,000 in door prizes throughout 2024.
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Eastbridge Business Connections celebrated its 6th Anniversary Meetup on January 30th. Not only was this EBC's largest turnout to date, but more than 100 individuals were in attendance - 101 to be exact! Friends, neighbours and colleagues filled Morty's Pub from front to back on both the main and upper levels! Of the 101 attendees, 24% were first-time attendees.
Thank you to Jay Taylor, Owner/Operator, along with the entire restaurant staff at Morty's Pub for hosting our 6th Anniversary Meetup and for helping us kick off EBC's 2023 program year!
EBC would like to acknowledge and thank Patty Vamvakitis, Pharmacist / Owner of Pharmasave - Carriage Crossing Pharmacy for sponsoring the Meetup as EBC's Happy Hour Meetup Sponsor.
EBC would also like to recognize and thank Jason Panda, EBC's Community Engagement Sponsor for capturing the energy and vibe emanating throughout the entire venue that evening and to EBC's 33 valued Annual Meetup Door Prize Sponsors!
Despite the inclement weather, 19 EBC members, 3 of which were first-time attendees, attended EBC's February 27th Meetup at the Waterloo Public Library - Eastside Branch. Thank you to Penny McGill, Library Assistant for not only hosting but for introducing many of us to the amazing features, products, and services at WPL's Eastside Branch. Following the Meetup, 10 attendees ventured down to the Benchwarmer Sports Bar to continue the conversation and camaraderie.
EBC would like to recognize and thank Jason Panda, EBC's Community Engagement Sponsor for capturing the energy and vibe emanating throughout the entire venue that evening and to EBC's 33 valued Annual Meetup Door Prize Sponsors!
Eastbridge Business Connections reached a new milestone during its March Meetup and welcomed 116 of its members to Crowsfoot Smokehaus! Furthermore, 35 of those individuals, representing 30% of those in attendance, were first-time attendees.
A BIG thank you to Ryan Lloyd-Craig, Owner of Crowsfoot Smokehaus for accommodating EBC's community Meetup.
Additionally, thank you to the KW Titans, brought to you by Ask David... for supporting EBC as our March Meetup Happy Hour Meetup Sponsor and for bringing with him KW Titans' Head Coach & Assistant GM, Cliff Clinkscales and players, Sam Akano and Mike Poole to mix and mingle with attendees.
EBC would like to also acknowledge and thank Jim Eby, CEO & Founder of Eby Manor (situated in the Village of Conestogo) for bringing a selection of their famous Guernsey milk and cheese products which contain 100% A2 protein.
EBC would like to recognize and thank Jason Panda, EBC's Community Engagement Sponsor for capturing the energy and vibe emanating throughout the entire venue that evening and to EBC's 33 valued Annual Meetup Door Prize Sponsors!
It was a BIG night at St. Louis Bar & Grill for EBC’s April Meetup. Not only were there 60 EBC members in attendance (with 16 of them being first-time attendees), but the Toronto Maple Leafs came back from a 4-1 deficit to take Game 3 against Tampa Bay Lightning in a 5-4 win.
A BIG thank you to Cameron MacIntyre, Franchise Owner and Debbie Emeny, General Manager, restaurant staff and our dedicated server from St. Louis Bar & Grill for accommodating our community Meetup and for the outstanding service provided.
Additionally, thank you to Mike Bolger, Real Estate Representative (MikeBolger.ca) for supporting EBC as April’s Happy Hour Meetup Sponsor.
EBC would like to recognize and thank Jason Panda, EBC's Community Engagement Sponsor for capturing the energy and vibe emanating throughout the entire venue that evening and to EBC's 33 valued Annual Meetup Door Prize Sponsors!
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It was a BIG night at Levetto for EBC’s May Meetup with 63 EBC members in attendance (and 12 of them being first-time attendees). The weather was beautiful, allowing us to open up the patio to take advantage of the entire facility.
A big THANK YOU to Karen Elmer-Hammond, Owner / Operator and the entire staff at Levetto Waterloo for their hospitality and for hosting such an amazing Meetup. Sixty-three (63) people were in attendance, with 12 of them (representing nearly 19%) being first-timer attendees!
EBC would like to acknowledge and thank Patty Vamvakitis, Pharmacist / Owner of Pharmasave - Carriage Crossing Pharmacy for sponsoring the Meetup as EBC's Happy Hour Meetup Sponsor.
EBC would like to recognize and thank Jason Panda, EBC's Community Engagement Sponsor for capturing the energy and vibe emanating throughout the entire venue that evening and to EBC's 33 valued Annual Meetup Door Prize Sponsors!
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Adhu Thiru and his Father Thiru Maran, Owners/Operators and the entire staff at Classic Indian for their hospitality and for hosting such an amazing Meetup. Thirty-four (34) people were in attendance, with five of them (representing nearly 15%) being first-timer attendees!
EBC would like to recognize and thank Jason Panda, EBC's Community Engagement Sponsor for capturing the energy and vibe emanating throughout the entire venue that evening and to EBC's 33 valued Annual Meetup Door Prize Sponsors!
The weather couldn’t have been better for a full house Meetup at Browns Socialhouse on their outdoor patio for EBC’s July Meetup. There were 68 people in attendance, ten of whom were first-time attendees! To say that EBC is drawing in local-area residents from throughout and beyond Waterloo Region is an understatement when three of our guests that evening were from Cincinnati, California and Australia!
A BIG thank you to Kevin May, General Manager, Brad Cossaboom, Assistant General Manager and EBC’s dedicated servers at Browns Socialhouse for accommodating our community Meetup!!
EBC would like to recognize and thank Katherine Rechtoris, Broker of Record with Deerwood Real Estate Ltd. Brokerage for supporting July's Meetup as EBC's Happy Hour Meetup Sponsor!
EBC is also thrilled to have partnered with and would like to thank Nadezhda (Hope) Boginya, photographer and sole proprietor of Pure Muse Portrait, who was onsite capturing the conversations, connections and camaraderie during EBC’s July Meetup.
Special thanks to EBC’s 36 valued Annual Meetup Door Prize Sponsors for making EBC known for its renowned door prize program in giving out more than $19,000 in door prizes throughout 2023 and to David Schooley, Co-owner of the KW Titans for bringing Coach Cliff Clinkscales and two of their prospective players for the 2023-2024 basketball season.
It was an amazing evening to celebrate EBC’s end-of-summer Meetup at Boston Pizza - Waterloo. Having full access to both the outside patio and indoor bar area, 73 friends, neighbours and colleagues were in attendance with a small group of attendees bringing a close to the Meetup at approximately 11:00pm!
A BIG thank you to our restaurant managers, Carolina Oyaneder and Deep Dabre, along with EBC’s dedicated servers at Boston Pizza - Waterloo for accommodating our community Meetup and welcoming us back!
EBC is also thrilled to recognize and thank Christopher Barfoot, Associate Financial Advisor, Life Insurance & Investment Specialist of WD Redick & Associates Inc., a division of The Co-operators for supporting our August Meetup as our Happy Hour Meetup Sponsor!
EBC would also like to recognize and thank Jason Panda, EBC's Community Engagement Sponsor for capturing the energy and vibe emanating throughout the entire venue that evening.
Special thanks to EBC’s 36 valued Annual Meetup Door Prize Sponsors for making EBC known for its renowned door prize program in giving out more than $19,000 in door prizes throughout 2023.
September's EBC Meetup at Innocente Brewing Company attracted 60 attendees. What made this Meetup extra special was the official launch and release of EBC's official branded canned beer, and what better name than the 'Ice Breaker' to act as a great conversation starter to help foster relationship building.
A BIG thank you to Steve Innocente, President & Head Brewer, Lisa Kargus and the entire staff at Innocente Brewing Company for accommodating our community Meetup and welcoming us back!
EBC is also thrilled to recognize and thank Mike Bolger, Real Estate Representative (MikeBolger.ca) for supporting our September Meetup as our Happy Hour Meetup Sponsor! Special thanks to Chris O'Dell, Franchise Owner of Wally Parr Sausage and Pratik Shaw, Manager of Red Swan Pizza (Northfield Drive) for supplying the great treats that evening.
EBC would also like to recognize and thank Dharmesh Bhavsar, a retired photojournalist and co-owner of YUMMY Burgers for capturing the energy and vibe emanating throughout the entire venue that evening.
Special thanks to EBC’s 36 valued Annual Meetup Door Prize Sponsors for making EBC known for its renowned door prize program in giving out more than $19,000 in door prizes throughout 2023.
October's EBC Meetup at The Chill Bar & Grill attracted nearly a full house with 69 individuals in attendance. What made this Meetup extra special was the warm welcome and participation throughout the evening to mix and mingle with attendees by co-owners, Stan and Penny Peppas, along with their staff. Additionally, attendees were able to enjoy plenty of EBC Ice Breaker through a partnership with Innocente Brewing Company.
EBC is also thrilled to recognize and thank Christine Cardoza, owner of Oasis of Healing Spa with Salt Rooms for supporting our October Meetup as EBC’s Happy Hour Meetup Sponsor!
EBC would also like to recognize and thank Jason Panda, Photographer and EBC’s Community Engagement Sponsor for capturing the energy and vibe emanating throughout the entire venue that evening.
Special thanks to EBC’s 36 valued Annual Meetup Door Prize Sponsors for making EBC known for its renowned door prize program in giving out more than $19,000 in door prizes throughout 2023.
If hanging out at a brewery wasn't awesome enough, EBC turned it up a notch with the support of six featured local food vendors that provided a wide variety of tasty treats for the 72 attendees in attendance to enjoy! Thank you to Dairy Queen Grill & Chill, Eby Manor, La Fromagerie on Lexington, The Pickle Barrel (Conestoga Mall), Pizza Depot, and Wally Parr Sausage for their support and generosity.
Attendees also paid it forward by contributing $490 to support the Lincoln Heights Breakfast Program where more than 80 elementary school students benefit each day from an array of nutritious food options to ensure students have the energy and focus to maximize their learning potential at school. Additionally, 147 lbs of non-perishable foods were collected to support Morgan & Claire's 8th Annual Halloween Candy and Fall Food Drive with proceeds benefiting The Food Bank of Waterloo Region and the St Jacobs Lions Club StuffIn Stockings campaign.
A BIG THANK YOU to Jody Schnarr, Mike Brown and Jim Hishin of Schooner Street Brewery for accommodating our community Meetup and welcoming us back! Click here to check out their website.
EBC would also like to recognize and thank Jason Panda, Photographer & Artist for capturing the energy and vibe emanating throughout the entire venue that evening. This was a special Meetup for EBC as it marked the first anniversary of Jason Panda's support as EBC's Community Engagement Sponsor. Click here to access EBC's November Meetup online photo gallery.
The evening wouldn't have been a success without the ongoing support of EBC’s 36 valued Annual Meetup Door Prize Sponsors for making EBC known for its renowned door prize program in giving out more than $19,000 in door prizes throughout 2023.
We were very excited to return to The Pickle Barrel (Conestoga Mall) to host our Regional Festive Connections Meetup in early December. Having drawn in an audience from all of our four existing community-founded chapters and soon-to-be chapter in Woolwich, 108 friends, neighbours, colleagues and local area businesses came together to celebrate one final Meetup to cap off another amazing year of further making our community more inclusive, safe and welcoming place to live, work, play and shop.
Attendees paid it forward by contributing approximately 120 unwrapped toys to support the great work provided by the Waterloo Knights of Columbus through their annual ‘New Toys for Needy Kids Toy Drive'.
A BIG THANK YOU to Andrew Figueiredo, Managing Partner of The Pickle Barrel for accommodating our community Meetup and welcoming us back! We would also like to recognize and thank Bill Judge, Wedding Officiant with Wedding Ceremonies by All Seasons for supporting December's Regional Festive Connections Meetup as our Happy Hour Meetup Sponsor. The Meetup wouldn’t have been complete without some interactive onsite entertainment with a mobile virtual reality play station! Thank you to Robert Bruski, CEO of Ctrl V not only for providing each attendee with a one-hour play to Ctrl V (Waterloo), the world's first VR arcade for affordable, active, family fun, but for bringing a Ctrl V play station to the restaurant for attendees to test out and enjoy.
EBC would also like to recognize and thank Jason Panda, Photographer & Artist for capturing the energy and vibe emanating throughout the entire venue that evening as EBC's Community Engagement Sponsor.
Lastly, the evening wouldn't have been a success without the ongoing support of EBC’s 36 valued Annual Meetup Door Prize Sponsors for making EBC known for its renowned door prize program in giving out more than $19,000 in door prizes throughout 2023.