Business owners networking events

hargi · 29 Jun 2015 at 15:14

I noticed from a thread a while back that we have some small business owners on the forum.
Just wondered if any of you have been to networking events (mingling not cat5e) and if you thought they were useful or worth the money.

thanks

Pneumonic · 29 Jun 2015 at 15:22

I would say it depends on the industry and your current network.. I don't tend to do to many.. If I network it tends to be at expo's and the like.. but then I work primarily supplying the recruitment and staffing industry and already have a lot of connections and regularly meet with business owners (clients) etc..

pepsilol · 29 Jun 2015 at 15:55

Depends on the business you're in. I went to one as it was in my local Costco and it was utter ****e. Just people chatting complete BS.

Bunka · 29 Jun 2015 at 16:59

pepsilol said:
I went to one as it was in my local Costco

Who the hell hosts networking events in a supermarket?!

I've been to quite a few in my time, had a couple of job offers off the back of them as well. Yes they're worth going to, only if the other people going/speaking are half decent.

PhillyDee · 29 Jun 2015 at 17:01

Been to an expo at Newcastle falcons, wasn't sure of the reason for going, but got a couple of contacts for business supplies, so wasn't a wasted trip. Got a better idea for the one later this year.

Glanza · 29 Jun 2015 at 17:04

Only one we bother to go to is one thrown by a supplier that has all the big names there but it's usually more a **** up do then sit through seminar stuff.

Skidder · 29 Jun 2015 at 17:09

I do industry specific events/expos and conferences and they are extremely valuable to me in terms of brand awareness but certainly wouldn't do generalist events as my business is niche.

SMN · 29 Jun 2015 at 17:13

Been to a few, its generally salesmen selling to salesmen. Actual industry events like conferences, etc are better for networking - that is if your industry has that kind of thing.

neoboy · 29 Jun 2015 at 17:18

I been to a few while in my last year of uni including stuff from the FSB but honestly found it was either someone pumping their own ego or just a busybody types who attended these. Funnily enough I did manage to land a small client for the social media marketing side gig I was doing but as someone mentioned above I've actually found plain conferences a far better place to network.