Mixing Business and Pleasure at Local Club

It must be tiresome to have the same conversation every week about the flagging local economy and in slow business.

You will get everything from the ever-optimistic soul pointing out that sterling is strengthening against the baht, which surely ‘marks the start of growth in tourism’; to the stark pessimist suggesting that Pattaya is doomed. Well, rest assured there is always a cycle for business and the economy, it just so happens we are at a particularly low point at present.

If you are in business in Pattaya, you need to be finding ways of doing business - whatever the state of the economy - and that is only achieved by connecting with your customers. Fact. Do not look for excuses or over-complicate the issue any further than that.

I would like to introduce the Lighthouse Club, a local charity and networking forum held each month. It would be appropriate to highlight the headline of ‘Business and Beer’ because that is where the club differentiates itself from other advertising channels. Do not mistake the club for a stuffy and artificial group, there is often a stigma attached to the word networking: For a low entry fee (cheaper still if a member at 200 baht), you get free beer, wine and buffet while stocks last. More importantly, you also get a chance to meet key businesses within real estate and construction. It is held on the fourth Friday of each month with forthcoming events confirmed via Mark Thompson on 084 7783304.

Sponsor an event and see the results

Businesses such as the Nova group, Town & Country, Northern Thai and Paradise City Property have all seen a real benefit in sponsoring an event. For 15,000 baht you get exceptional value, just look at other advertising vehicles for comparison. For this you get a chance to connect with all these members as sole sponsor; maybe you are a developer or sell something connected with property (such as furniture) - because these are the groups, you should be influencing and building relations with. You also get media coverage across the board to get your business into the wider community. Contact Mark for details of available sponsor dates.

As a charity, the club donates to Sanuk, who helps local orphans: 41,000 baht was raised at the last event, which is badly needed for these unfortunate children. If you have any items you would like to donate to our raffle then please contact Mark – we have had nights donated by hotels, so maybe you could offer a set amount of drinks if you are a bar. There are endless opportunities for things to donate, so put your thinking cap on and offer something to our next raffle! When you arrive in Thailand, you are asked your reason for entrance: Business or Pleasure. Well in the Lighthouse Club’s case, the answer is both - and both come in abundance. Come and enjoy a beer at the next event, it could be the best thing to happen to YOUR business in months!