Inaugural East End Business Mixer Draws 300-plus

For some time, entrepreneur Michael Wudyka owner of the Enclave Inn chain and East Hampton Studios had the idea of organizing the Chambers of Commerce from Westhampton to Montauk for one big networking event. The idea became a reality on Thursday Dec. 2 when over 300 guests turned out at East Hampton Studio for the first ever all East End Business Mixer.

Five Chambers of Commerce, including Westhampton, East Quogue, Southampton, Sag Harbor and Montauk participated in the event as did many of media groups, including Patch and dozens of local businesses from vineyards such as Bedell and Wolffer Estates to Green Earth Café, Bridgehampton National Bank, Cook Travel and Panera Bread. 

In addition to sampling foods and wines from the participating vineyards, there was light entertainment provide by dancers from the Arthur Murray Dance Studio dancers and singer/ guitarist Kristofer Ambrose.

Response from attendees was uniformly positive.

Public relations specialist, Edward Callaghan applauded Wudyka saying, “This is a really terrific way for diverse members of the community to showcase there products and services.”

Marketing guru Andrea Gurvitz, who serves as executive director of the Hamptons Visitors Council, commented that the mixer was a “good first start to getting the chambers together to work toward driving the local economy and bringing more visitors to the Hamptons.”  

For Vanessa Leggard, who recently launched her new company, Mouthpiece, the mixer was a “great way to meet new business contacts and share my new venture with old friends.”