Business networking events provide opportunities for you, your senior management team and your sales staff to meet and build relationships with other business professionals who can send you sales leads and set you up for inside prospects with those on the business networking organizations web site. The exposure offered by the business networking events vendor can lead to new customers and suppliers for your company.

You can stay in the office if you choose and join a business networking events website. Participate in the huge trend of using online communities to do business. Professionals who practice business networking attend the online meetings and live business networking events for the same reasons as you do and expect to find business opportunities through the relationships they build. Use business networking events in a number of different ways.

1. Participate in a business networking events web site

2. Use a business networking events list

3. Sponsor a business networking events vendor

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Join others on a business networking events web site

If you prefer to do your networking online, you are in the company of a great number of business professionals who are finding the online networking communities to be a viable and exciting venue. Look for ways to participate such as joining in blogs, offering other members discounts on your products or services and serving on committees that may or may not meet in person.

I recommend: LeTip is an online business networking site that offers leads and information sharing venues at live and online events. Unis Fair offers a new concept in a business networking events website. All events are virtual, saving you time and resources while getting the benefits of international exposure to potential new customers.

Find a business networking events vendor

The more exposure your company can get, the better. Salespeople and company executives should find a group in which they can participate on a regular basis to build the kinds of business relationships that pay off and show up on your bottom line. As a group member, you'll receive first-hand notice of special events where you can take advantage of marketing opportunities with other members.

I recommend: Networking For Professionals combines local networking events with a vibrant online networking community. NAWBO is a huge national organization for women business owners that has a local chapter in most communities with plenty of opportunities to get involved in local, regional and national events.

Spend marketing dollars with a business networking events vendor

Many networking groups are non-profit organizations and rely on corporate and small business sponsorships to put on large events such as conventions and trade shows. Through the publicity you can receive by sponsoring an event of a local networking group, you can reach all the group members that previously may not have been on your company radar.

I recommend: Netparty is a growing group of business and social networking groups that meets at hip clubs around the country. Use this venue to reach young professionals through your sponsorship. Find the local Chamber of Commerce in your area to join a group that is dedicated to promoting the interests of the local business community. This is a group that is always putting on events and creating publications that require financial support.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  If you can't provide a major donation for sponsoring a business networking events list of opportunities, consider getting a booth at the event or even purchasing a small ad in the program for the event. You want to keep your name alive in the minds of members at every chance you get.