It looked like a lot of local business ambassadors were having fun last Thursday as they stepped up to the screen printing press at Advertising Expressions.

Pushing ink across a screen to deposit various images on the shirts they would get to take home, it provided a unique experience to go along with the networking available at the Morristown Area Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours Event.

“The Advertising Expressions Business After Hours is always a fun event to come to,” MACC Director of Investor Services Lauren Seaver said. “These business owners come ready to make connections and support each other. This (Advertising Expressions) event is always one that we look forward to every year.”

Attendees, in addition to printing their own free T-shirt, were treated to tasty barbecue from GrillBilly Smoke and in between the eating and printing folks were getting to know each other. AE owner/ operator Zach Millican said those connections are the point of the event and encouraged people to make acquaintances.

“My challenge for you this evening is to meet three people you don’t know,” he told the attendees. “Even if I can connect you to someone else and don’t get anything out of it personally, there’s joy in making that connection.”

Millican recognized employees and family members for supporting the business and said that next year’s event was planned to be bigger and better, and themed around something “a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away.”

Next year, Advertising Expressions is hoping to join in the 50th anniversary of the theatrical release of Star Wars while celebrating their own landmark.

As of 2027, the business, started by Millcan’s mother, Brenda, will be turning 20 years old and they are planning to host their next Business After Hours on May the fourth.

“We’re going to share that birthday and have a great time with those two legendary organizations,” Millican said.

It’s expected that a large crowd will turn out in force for the galactic spectacle.

For more information about Business After Hours or other MACC networking opportunities, people can check out the Chamber’s Facebook or other social media pages or call 423-586-6382.