Schmoozing with movers, shakers

HOBART | It was billed as a night to shake hands, rub elbows and to "schmooze" with business leaders who get things done in Northwest Indiana.

But the Who's Who Big Schmooze event, held Thursday night at Avalon Manor, also served as a way to honor Who's Who of Northwest Indiana candidates and as a way to launch fundraising efforts for both Lake Area United Way and United Way of Porter County.

"We're thrilled to be part of this first-time event that hopefully will become an annual event," said Sharon Kish, United Way of Porter County president.

The idea for the event, which drew about 260 people, was broached to United Way leaders a year ago by Andrea Pearman, publisher of Building Indiana magazine in which the Who's Who winners were featured earlier this year.

"We were looking for a way to give back to the community and I pictured an event that would be something unique and different," Pearman said.

In addition to being treated to cocktails and hors d'oeuvres, guests also bid on a variety of artwork that had been provided from each of the Who's Who honorees.

That work, which ranged from colorful bird pottery to black and white photographs at the Indiana Dunes, was sold during both a silent and live auctions.

Money raised goes to United Way, Pearman said.

The goal of Lake County United Way is slightly more than $5 million and the goal of United Way of Porter County is $2 million.

"We'll be doing a commercial tonight in the middle of the Big Schmooze," joked Ray Kasmark, chairman of the Lake County United Way fundraising campaign.

Attending Thursday's event was mostly about the schmoozing for Jane Szymczak of Ladciak CPA and Mary Ivanovich of National Cine Media. They chatted, sampled food and drinks and mingled with other guests.

"It's all about networking," Ivanovich said.