Photo courtesy of Marietta Business Association
A rts & Recreation
Keeping It Local
Connections After Hours
The Marietta Business Association brings the community together. By Cory Sekine-Pettite
W
hile you may not directly be familiar with the Marietta Business Association (MBA), you certainly know about many of its community-oriented events, which not only bring us together for family fun but also raise funds for worthy causes. Like most business associations, the MBA’s primary goal is to “promote civic, social, and business goals through providing a forum to exchange business policies and create good customer relationships, all in good faith and integrity.” This cadre of local business owners meets regularly to remain knowledgeable about the community, its drivers, and its resources, so the group can create and leverage relationships that drive business collectively, says current MBA President, Michael Lindsey. Lindsey, president of Freedom Payment Solutions, says that as the association grows, so does its belief in its members, creating a culture where they exist to supN.O.W. port one another. Members shop at each
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other’s businesses and restaurants, he says. They hire services from members, they connect each other with members, and they exist to support! That support extends into the community at large as well. The MBA has created multiple special events over the years with which you likely are familiar and perhaps have attended, including SPLASH, its Annual Golf Tournament, and the annual Marietta Egg Hunt. “Our Board of 12 Brand Ambassadors work hard to provide an environment that will help your business grow and will help you engage with other businesses, the city of Marietta, and with each other,” Lindsey says. Let’s take a closer look at these signature MBA events:
SPLASH Known as the annual event presented each year by the MBA, the SPLASH event’s purpose is to raise money for a good cause while networking and having fun. Six Flags White Water Park plays host
to this year’s SPLASH on Thursday, May 19. Enjoy food tastings from local restaurants, products from Red Hare Brewing Company, meet local business owners, and try your luck with the duck race while celebrating the upcoming opening of White Water and the beginning of summer. Held at the pavilion inside the lazy river with the backdrop of the wave pool, expect a relaxing atmosphere to network and meet new friends. Proceeds from this year’s event will benefit Communities in Schools, a nonprofit dedicated to reaching at-risk youths and helping them succeed with their education and beyond. Last year, the SPLASH event raised more than $3,600 for MUST Ministries. You can download a sponsorship application for this event and buy tickets at mariettabusiness.org.
MBA Annual Golf Tournament Attendees of this annual event are guaranteed to have a good time, regardless of
