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Photos of this event - click here
Josh Groban in concert, and the ensuing crowds that descended upon the Arena District February 21, didn’t stop members of the Central Ohio Chapter of IFMA from getting together for their monthly social.
But it did crush any hopes of playing the ever-popular game, “corn-hole” – to the disappointment of some.
This month’s social was held at Gibby’s Bar and Grill, in the heart of the Arena District in Downtown Columbus.
According to the organizer of the event, Stephen Cooke, what usually proves to be a quiet, mid-week night at Gibby’s was promising to be a bit more crowded with Groban in town promoting his latest album, Awake.
Nearly 25 new and old members of the Central Ohio Chapter of IFMA turned out to take advantage of “dollar-a-beer-night” at Gibby’s – and to take time out of a busy month to connect with friends and colleagues.
And that’s exactly what the event is intended to do.
“It’s nice to see the attendance,” said Cooke, looking the room over.
“It is what it is… a social. You need tools to keep yourself going, and I see this as a tool.”
Cooke came up with the concept of a social some time ago, and the idea is catching on. Many of the Chapter’s events are more formal, said Cooke, so he decided to organize something a little less conventional, something where members could let their hair down a little.
New and old members alike are invited. The event absorbed the previous New Member Breakfast, said Cooke, and hopefully will promise to breathe new life into existing membership as well.
Cooke said he chose Gibby’s because of its central location which is close to those in both the architectural arena along with those in construction, and because of its size which can accommodate a good crowd.
The social was sponsored by Planes Commercial Services this month, a Platinum Level Sponsor of the Central Ohio Chapter of IFMA, which provided finger food for all those who attended.
Cooke decided to forgo the monthly drawing and announcements, opting rather to keep things light and social.
While the event serves as a welcome wagon for new members, Cooke hopes that it will also lure old members back who have slowly dropped out of sight.
This month’s event drew a small, but social crowd who filled the bar area of Gibby’s where it was standing-room only.
The crowds who came to hear Groban later that evening never threatened IFMA’s event, holding off and leaving Cooke’s social a success.
After a short break for the holidays, Cooke said the monthly socials will continue in 2007. With beer at only a buck, it’s anyone’s round.