You don’t have to be a sports fan to know that if you attended the August 8th “Summer Bash” Business Expo, that you were networking with the finest! We had NO ONE on the bench that evening! Everyone in the room was an MVP and “suited up” and ready to “play ball.” People were laughing and visiting the vendors and totally engaged! The fun began at 5:30 p.m. and all the business vendors were ready and “warmed up” and waiting for the “first pitch” of the night. Vendors, “suited up” with their best, as they decorated their tables, put their marketing information out and were ready for the “game” to begin at 5:30 p.m. Our food vendors were lacing up their “cleats” and setting up to serve samples of delicious menu items. As you entered the room, the energy and laughter of the crowd was overwhelming and continued throughout the night. The microphone was “hot” as business leaders constantly gave away over 30 free door prizes. A LOUD round of applause to the following businesses who joined us and took a display table and shared in our evening:  AAA Imaging, Blossom& Bloom Creative Arts, Cabrillo Credit Union, California Coast Credit Union – La Mesa, Dave Lemox with Bridlewood Medicare Insurance, Décor Depot, East County Magazine, Espire Dental/Jeff Gray, DDS, Feeding the Flock SD, La Mesa Lions Club, La Mesa Park & Recreation  Foundation, La Mesa Rotary, Local Umbrella Media, Miracle Youth Productions, Mattia & Yousif Law, Nightwalker Caverns Escape Room Adventures, North Island Credit Union, San Diego Community Power, San Diego County Credit Union – La Mesa, Spa Piel, St. Martin of Tours Academy, Stills by Hill Photography, The Montera Senior Living, The Landscape Company, U.S. Bank, Westmont Living of La Mesa, and Woofies of Northeast San Diego.

The evening was successful due to the partnership of the following sponsors: Our Presenting Sponsor, U.S. Bank, Our Venue Partner, Courtyard by Marriott San Diego El Cajon, and our Premier Sponsor: Kirk Paving, Inc. We are grateful for our Supporting Sponsors – California Coast Credit Union-La Mesa, Feeding the Flock SD, and Lily’s Manufactured Homes. They were joined by: Print Sponsor AAA Imaging, Graphics Sponsor Kostedt Design & Marketing, Photography Sponsors Sandra Small/ Photographer and Carrie Smedley Photography and a thank you to our Social Media Partner, Lemon Grove Media & Communications. A special thank you to our MVPs of the evening – Brian Sack, our M.C., and Sycuan Casino Resort our volunteer water sponsor. A “shout out” to the volunteer team that came out to “play ball” with us, we are eternally grateful.

We are happy to share the roster of team players that provided a sampling of great food selections for the night. Our heartfelt thanks to our following “A” Team: Bethlehem Baking Company, Big Al’s Baking Company, Buckboard Catering, Charcuterie Grazing Box, Dream Dinners, Duke’s Old Fashioned Onion Burgers, and Gordito Tamalito.

Photos courtesy of Carrie Smedley Photography and Sandra Small/ Photographer.