Saratoga Chamber Mixer Tonight!

The Saratoga Chamber of Commerce, 14460 Big Basin Way, is inviting the business community in the city to attend its social business-networking mixer tonight at 6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 1 hosted by OPTM Physical Therapy, 12900 Saratoga Ave.

The mixers are held the first Thursday of every month attracting between 20 and 45 business owners and are helpful at getting small business owners to introduce themselves and their companies to other professionals in a casual, social setting, said Marilyn White, a member of the board of directors of the Saratoga Chamber of Commerce.

White, who coordinates the events, said because the chamber is a nonprofit, it doesn't officially charge participants to attend, but strongly suggests a $5 entrance donation per person, but it's not mandatory.

Business owners don't have to be members of the chamber to attend, she added. "Anyone can come," she said.

Chamber members can display their business cards and marketing materials at a designated table during the mixers, while non-members can distribute them person-to-person, she added.

"We'll try to facilitate introductions whenever possible," she said.

Some of the positive outcomes from the mixers are small mom-and-pop type of merchants uniting to host and plan mixers and helping each other with ideas to help improve and grow their businesses, White said.

The chamber has about 200 members.