First "Meet the Press Club" event a "smashing success"

About 50 National Press Club members gathered Wednesday evening for the debut "Meet the Press Club" event at the Reliable Source. The informal mixer brought together Journalist and Communicator members, some from as far away as Japan and South Korea. Additionally, a visiting officer from New Zealand's National Press Club attended.

The idea for the gathering was suggested at a recent "Dinner with the President", which was a discussion among members providing feedback and suggestions. NPC member Suzanne Struglinski Broadfield said members wanted a way to meet one another more effectively, for purposes of professional networking. Upon the recommendation of President Mark Hamrick, the NPC Membership staff implemented the idea within 24 hours.

Among the Club leaders who attended along with Hamrick were Young Members Committee Chairman Tim Young, Communications and Marketing Committee Chairman Tom McMahon and Membership Secretary Angela Greiling Keane.

Several new NPC members were there as well, including Jennifer Schonberger of Kiplinger's Personal Finance and Lila Ibrahim of Associated Press Television News.

Hamrick declared the first event a "smashing success."

The next "Meet The Press Club" event, which will also feature a "Happy Hour" cash bar, will be held 6 p.m. July 13 in the McClendon Room of the Reliable Source.

Members interested in attending should RSVP to Sarahanne Driggs of the Membership Department at [email protected].