Businesses and individual professionals from throughout Orange County will mix and mingle at Orange County's Largest Mixer III on March 9.

Touted as the "ultimate networking business event," this year's mixer will have rows and rows of booths representing a variety of industries, companies and corporations. Organizers hope to encourage membership in Orange County chambers, visitor bureaus and business organizations, in addition to providing businesses and professionals the opportunity to network for mutual support.

This unique networking event is a collaboration of Orange County chambers of commerce and convention and visitors bureaus. Participating chambers and bureaus come from Costa Mesa, Santa Ana, Huntington Beach, Fountain Valley, Westminster, Anaheim, Newport Beach, Orange, Buena Park, Fullerton, San Juan Capistrano and Tustin.

There are also several specialty groups participating, such as the Latin Business Conexion, American Business Women's Association, Black Chamber of Commerce, Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and the British American Business Council.

Promoters have also teamed up with Reading by 9, a Los Angeles Times' community program, to promote literacy. Attendees can donate a new children's book for a chance to win two roundtrip tickets courtesy of Southwest Airlines.

Also, local restaurants and eateries will be offering complimentary hors d'oeuvres and samples from their outstanding menus.

Orange County's Largest Mixer III will be held from 5-9 p.m. at the Orange County Fair & Exposition Center. Admission is $15 and parking is free. For more information, visit www.ocmixer.com.