A Night of Connection, Reflection, and Appreciation at the WBC Member Appreciation Social

On Wednesday, May 13th, more than 50 members of the Watertown business and nonprofit community gathered at Donohue's Bar & Grill for the Watertown Business Coalition’s Member Appreciation Social - an evening centered around connection, gratitude, and celebrating how far the organization has come.

The event brought together a mix of longtime members, “Day One-ers,” new faces, local professionals, nonprofit leaders, and community supporters for an evening of networking with drinks, light bites, and plenty of conversation. Throughout the night, new relationships were formed, old connections were strengthened, and the energy in the room reflected exactly what the WBC was created to do: bring people together!

WBC Co-Founders and Presidents Doug Orifice and Bob Airasian reflected on the organization’s journey over the last six years - fittingly, at the very place where it all began! The first ever WBC event was held at Donohue’s more than six years ago as a small idea aimed at creating stronger connections within the local small business community. What started as a grassroots effort quickly gained momentum thanks to passionate volunteers, dedicated supporters, and strong community feedback.

Since then, the WBC has grown to more than 180 members, hosts over 20 events annually, and has expanded far beyond traditional networking. At the end of last year the WBC was able to hire the organization's first part-time employees - a great step forward in supporting the WBC's continued growth and long-term sustainability. The organization has built strong partnerships with the arts and culture community, the nonprofit sector, local businesses, and residents to create opportunities for collaboration across Watertown.

Over the years, the WBC has launched initiatives aimed at supporting and uplifting the community in meaningful ways. The Watertown Arts Market, originally created during the pandemic to help artists continue selling their work, has grown into a cornerstone of the summer entering its sixth year. The organization has also strengthened its support of local nonprofits through its Nonprofit Roundtable, helping connect nonprofit leaders with volunteers, supporters, and greater community visibility.

The event's nonprofit partner, the Watertown Boys & Girls Club, also shared remarks during the program. Executive Director Gary Beatty spoke about the organization’s extensive offerings for local families, including after-school programs, summer programming running from the day school ends through Labor Day weekend, camps, and team-oriented activities for youth in the community. This incredible organization serves over 1,500 students, has 543 participants in Education programs, and provides over 11,000 healthy snacks a year! Gary highlighted the multitude of ways to get involved with the club - from providing financial support, becoming a volunteer, or a mentor to their kids. Learn more about getting involved here.

He thanked Donohue’s for its ongoing support of the community, noting that much of their generosity happens quietly and consistently outside of the spotlight. Gary also highlighted the impact of the WBC’s work in strengthening the nonprofit community and creating meaningful connections between organizations and residents throughout Watertown.

The event served as a focal point for Member Appreciation Month, during which the WBC is unveiling a new member benefit each week:

• Benefit #1: WBC Member Deals Page! - a one stop shop to find all of the deals or specials our members are running! All you have to do? Log into your WBC profile, click on “Deals” in the header, and fill out the description! You can include an image, links, and a QR code or barcode. Whether someone is looking to try something new or check in on their favorite spots, this page keeps them connected to what’s happening now!

• Benefit #2: A Free WBC Booth at the Watertown Farmer’s Market! - In partnership with the Farmer’s Market, WBC members can sign up on a first come first serve basis to table at the Market this season. This is a chance to get your business in front of the hundreds of people who visit the Market and an opportunity you don’t want to miss! Applications are open now through May 22nd with the first WBC booth date on June 17th!

• Benefit #3: WBC Profile Video - a comprehensive video on how to best optimize your WBC profile. Add images, a promo video, description and tags to help get more eyes on your profile, and your business.

And with Benefit #4 arriving next week, there’s even more to come.

Most importantly, the evening was a reminder of what continues to drive the organization forward: its members, volunteers, and community supporters. The WBC expressed deep gratitude to everyone who has helped build the organization over the years and shared excitement for continued growth throughout a big 2026. Whether someone has been involved since day one or just attended their first event, the message of the night was clear - community is truly our business.

We'd like to extend a sincere thank you to Donohue's Bar and Grill for hosting the event and generously providing the food for the evening, as well as Quebrada Baking Co. for supplying delicious cookies enjoyed by attendees throughout the night.

Already a member? Explore ways to optimize your WBC profile by logging in here. Not yet a member? Learn more about the benefits of joining the WBC and how to become part of the growing community here.