The meeting room at the Comfort Inn was filled with animated conversation on April 13 as six local business professionals took part in the second Gloucester County Chamber of Commerce Speed Networking program.

Each of the six women met the other participants in a series of one-on-one conversations lasting about seven minutes. They pitched their products and services, told about their work experience and families, exchanged business cards for future reference and referral purposes, and then moved over a seat or two to engage another person in conversation.

Gloria Mazzella Williams, executive director of the Gloucester Chamber of Commerce, said that 10 people had signed up for the program and she thought the others would come—but they didn’t. However, that’s fine, Williams said, because those who did show up had more time to get to know each other.

Unlike a chamber social event, Williams said Speed Networking provides more in-depth conversation. The first Speed Netwo...