By Jessica Isaacs
High Country business owners — are you interested in learning more about your local chamber of commerce, or others in the region? Then call Wahoo’s Adventures and reserve your spot at its Summit on the Mountain after-hours event, which will get you out on the river and in front of other businesses on Tuesday, May 19.
This year, Wahoo’s decided to expand its annual Blues, Brews, Barbecues and 
Canoes business networking event to include even more entrepreneurs from across the High Country. With sights set on a bigger crowd and greater opportunities, a name change only made sense, and plans for Summit on the Mountain began to take shape.
Invitations have been extended to members of the chambers of commerce in Boone, Blowing Rock, Beech Mountain and Ashe and Avery Counties, as well as to the Newland Business Association. Wahoo’s invites any business owners in the area who have not yet joined a chamber to participate in the festivities, too.
Participating entrepreneurs have the chance to showcase their businesses and provide samples of their products at the event, as well.
Guests will enjoy a river adventure beginning at 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday and a meet-and-greet with others beginning at 5:30 p.m. The King Bees will provide live entertainment and food and beverages will be featured from establishments including McKethan Brothers Barbecue, Blowing Rock Brewing, Dan’l Boone Inn, Appalachian Mountain Brewery, Appalachian Cookie Company, Boondocks Brewing and others.
Additionally, Wahoo’s will be unveiling its new on-site disc golf course.
Wahoo’s Marketing Director Virginia Roseman said the summit will be a good time, and a good opportunity, for all participating business owners.
“We want it to be a big party. But, it’s an after hours chamber event, so everybody needs to shake hands and meet people,” Roseman said. “The greatest part is really that it’s for these businesses to find out more about the other chambers. The more we’re able to connect, the more we can do for the people moving to the area and visiting the area.
“We need to make sure the chambers have a good solid foundation. They’re the front line — they’re the first connection with tourists, so we need to make sure they know everything there is to do within all of the chambers.”
The chambers that they represent will make valuable connections, too, she said.
“They’re going to benefit by finding new members. By doing that, they’re able to give their audience more and different things to do and attend,” Roseman said. “Whichever chamber tourists or new residents call, we need to make sure they have connections to get these people anything and everything they desire.”
Roseman said she hopes that event will bring business owners who aren’t yet members of a chamber but are interested in joining and/or networking.
“If you want to come, come on,” Roseman said. “We would love for you to join us and find out which chamber is the right match for your company”
Wahoo’s Administrative Assistant Angie Caraway, who’s been instrumental in organizing the summit, said she’s looking forward to the event for many reasons.
“First of all, it’s going to be a lot of fun. Second of al, it’s going to give each of these chambers the opportunity to meet businesses from other counties,” Caraway said. “The High Country tourist industry is more than just one county. Because we area tourist area, it’s important for us all to network with businesses in adjacent communities.”
Summit on the Mountain will take place at Wahoo’s New River Base, located at 3380 Big Hill Road in Todd. Business owners and chamber members interested in participating should R.S.V.P. with Wahoo’s at 828-262-5774 or through their respective chamber offices.
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