GEORGE NEWS - The cavernous interior of the Garden Route Film Studios was the venue for a George Business Chamber networking evening held on 22 March, where the stage was set for gregarious socialising between business folk from all sectors of town.
Attendees' curiosity was sufficiently piqued to come for a conducted tour of the premises which includes offices as well as indoor film and sound recording studios.
The studios were converted from the former Ster Kinekor cinema complex.
The cladded, soundproofed walls made for a dramatic background as the hosts of the evening, GRFS CEO Johan Claasen and GRFS board chairman Philip de Vries and his wife Maryna made guests feel at home.
Chamber manager Ingrid Cronjé welcomed new members and conducted the customary lucky draw while the studio directors gave a rundown of their aims.
Thursday evening offered a chance to network with business folk from all walks of life. From left are Dr Adele Potgieter (NMU lecturer and chairman of the George Municipality's audit committee), Cindy van Loggerenberg (George Herald) and students Rochelle Nala and Khanyisile Tracey Hlangwanefde.
Diverse locations
Claasen said that GRFS is well positioned to tell the local story of our unique region and its interesting people. The diversity of the landscape makes it ideal to film anything from a desert scene to a lush coastal beach scene.
"What we have here is amazing and we can create an amazing industry which has the potential to create many jobs."
Philip de Vries showed a short film on the all-encompassing services of Life Community Service (LFS) and the huge difference this remarkable non-profit organisation has been making in the lives of residents living in George's disadvantaged communities.
GRFS CEO Johan Claasen proudly showed around George Herald sales executives Glenda Barnard and Cindy van Loggerenberg, Alet van Tonder of NMU, and Beverley Schuin of Curves George. Photos: Pauline Lourens
Over the past decades, children not only received nutritious meals, but also education and cultural stimulation in many fields. Concluding his presentation, De Vries said that the studio has the potential to be part of a film industry that provides jobs to the entire region, including LFS's beneficiaries.
The acting GBC president, Dennis Farrell, said the chamber would keep striving to attain former president Dr Willlie Cilliers's ideal to unlock an inclusive economy for the region and make it grow in order to bring welfare to everybody.
George Business Chamber manager Ingrid Cronjé (left) announced forthcoming events. Dennis Farrell (right) will remain acting president until the chamber's AGM early in May.
Events
Cronjé announced that the next networking evening will be held on 19 April at the Kingwood Golf Club and the chamber's annual general meeting will be held early in May at a date and venue to be determined.
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