HobNob, the signature annual event of the Buffalo Niagara Partnership was held at Ralph Wilson Stadium on Thursday night to the pleasure of business leaders from around the region. The largest business networking event in the region, attendees had the opportunity to interact with others in the relaxed atmosphere of the Jim Kelly Club. Premier hor d'oeuvres and beverages were served and full stadium tours were available. Attendees also had the opportunity to win various Bills memorabilia. Dottie Gallagher-Cohen, the President and CEO of the Buffalo Niagara Partnership, viewed Ralph Wilson Stadium as an ideal location for this year's HobNob event.
"This year we had about 330 people at HobNob, which is a ten-percent increase from last year," said Cohen. "I think this location was part of the sell. People love coming to Ralph Wilson Stadium."
While the Buffalo Niagara Partnership is technically only 22-years old, its roots extend back to the Buffalo Chamber of Commerce which had been running since the 1800's. In 1993, there was a merger between the Greater Buffalo Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Buffalo Development Foundation, which led to the establishment of the Buffalo Niagara Partnership.
Although HobNob is the most significant event of the year, there are plenty of other networking and educational opportunities for people interested in business. At each event, all attendees wear nametags and are encouraged to interact with one another. Open to everyone, Buffalo Niagara Partnership events have drawn people from different economic sectors together. Gallagher-Cohen suggests that now is an ideal time to become a part of the Buffalo Niagara Partnership.
"This is a big time of the year for us to host events and we are now on the Eventbrite app, so it is easy to go and search for the Partnership to see all of the events we put on," she said. "With more than 70 events per year, we have something for everybody. If you care about business development, networking and advancing your career, then we are a good place to look."
