COEUR d’ALENE — “Ten seconds.”

Marilee Wallace shouted those words as she looked at her watch in a room of voices.

“Time's up,” Wallace said into the microphone, as conversations tailed off. “OK guys. Next person. Go.”

Chatter again rose from about 75 people seated around 15 tables in the conference room at the Kroc Center.

Men and women talked fast, but not furious, Tuesday morning at a speed networking event, “Perk It Up CDA 24.”

They had one minute to explain to the six or seven people at their table who they were, what they did, and anything else that might lead to a business boost and new opportunities.

About 75 people paid $49 each to be there.

Once everyone had their chance to talk,  they moved on to a new table with new faces.

“It’s the old-fashioned elevator pitch,” said Wallace, CEO of event organizer North Idaho Alliance, a women’s leadership development company.

After two hours, participants left with contacts, referrals and business and volunteer opportunities.

Max Mendez with Inland Northwest Opera was a longtime instructor at North Idaho College before retiring and moving into the arts world.

He said through speed networking he shared about himself and learned about those who paint houses, repair cars and sell houses.

“This was just a really great way for me to connect with a new population of folks,” Mendez said

Nicole Prickett with Lake City Auto Care said they attended last year and established a number of contacts.

“So we came back,” Prickett said.

The same happened this year.

“Definitely some good contacts,” she said.

Prickett enjoyed the chance to talk about Lake City Auto Care and explain they are community-minded people.

“That’s what I love,” she said. “There’s such a stigma around the automotive repair service industry. That’s not who we are at all.”

Becky Kenny said that after working in massage therapy, she joined Windemere/Coeur d’Alene Realty and recently had her first sale.

She said she was initially a little nervous giving a one-minute presentation but gained confidence each time she gave it.

“It really refines and tunes my ability to connect with people,” Kenny said.  “And just be real. This is me."

Bridget Gernns of the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office said she’s attended career fairs to highlight KCSO openings, including in patrol, detention and dispatchers.

She liked speed networking because it was face-to-face, rather than people walking past her at a booth.

“This is probably the best event I personally have done. This is not at all what I was expecting," she said. 

It’s the sixth year of the speed networking event that Wallace said is a fun way to kick off the year, bring people together, and hopefully, create and expand networks for continued success.

    Matt Haug with Rathdrum Realty takes part in “Perk It Up CDA 24," a speed networking event at the Kroc Center on Tuesday.
  

    Bridget Gernns with the Kootenai County Sheriff's Office listens to a speaker during the “Perk It Up CDA 24" speed networking event at the Kroc Center on Tuesday.