Are you interested in networking but not sure what groups or events to go to?
I’ve been getting a lot of questions lately about networking events, and what are the best groups to join. As you may recall, I mentioned networking in my blog about the 5 Ways to Recession-Proof Your Business.
Networking is a great, cheap way to meet potential clients and make important business contacts. But what networking events or groups are worth your time?
Every business is different, and each industry has their key groups that you should join. But assuming you’ve already done that, networking outside of your industry will allow you to expand your reach and meet new people.
Here are my “one size fits all” recommendations for networking in the Toronto area. These networking groups are good for almost anyone, and can act as a means to help you get comfortable with the idea of getting out there and pressing the flesh.
1. Vaughn Chamber of Commerce: The City of Vaughn is growing fast, and some of the most exciting new businesses are coming out of there right now. They are a great chamber to join, offer great incentives and benefits to become a member, and throw great networking events. To learn more about becoming a member, click here.
2. BNI Canada: One of the classic networking groups in the world, BNI has a Canadian division that is broken up into local chapters. Their unique networking sessions focus on referral marketing and encourage members to refer business to each other, and no chapter can have two people marketing the same business.
3. JCI Canada: The Junior Chamber International has a Canadian division that is just great. The JCI specializes in young entrepreneurs and is an amazing place to meet young professionals. I recently attended an event and was absolutely blown away by the energy and ideas that the group had. If you are between 18-40, you should definitely be checking this chamber out. Click here to learn more.
4. The Italian Chamber of Commerce Toronto (ICCT): Quite frankly, the ICCT is the best chamber in Toronto for my money (and I’m not just saying that because they are a client of ours!). They have a tremendously supportive staff, throw amazing networking events, have a wide variety of members, and offer great advertising opportunities. Best of all, they coordinate their efforts with every other Italian chamber in the world, so if you need help expanding a business internationally they are ideally suited to help you. Click here to learn more about joining.
Visit and attend some functions of all of these chambers before you decide to join any. All great networking places allow you to audit a few events before you become a member.
Membership fees are very affordable, and they offer you a chance to interact with other members and receive great member benefits that often result in savings of thousands of dollars for many businesses.
Yusuf Gad
President, a5MEDIA inc
http://www.a5media.ca
I’ve been getting a lot of questions lately about networking events, and what are the best groups to join. As you may recall, I mentioned networking in my blog about the 5 Ways to Recession-Proof Your Business.
Networking is a great, cheap way to meet potential clients and make important business contacts. But what networking events or groups are worth your time?
Every business is different, and each industry has their key groups that you should join. But assuming you’ve already done that, networking outside of your industry will allow you to expand your reach and meet new people.
Here are my “one size fits all” recommendations for networking in the Toronto area. These networking groups are good for almost anyone, and can act as a means to help you get comfortable with the idea of getting out there and pressing the flesh.
1. Vaughn Chamber of Commerce: The City of Vaughn is growing fast, and some of the most exciting new businesses are coming out of there right now. They are a great chamber to join, offer great incentives and benefits to become a member, and throw great networking events. To learn more about becoming a member, click here.
2. BNI Canada: One of the classic networking groups in the world, BNI has a Canadian division that is broken up into local chapters. Their unique networking sessions focus on referral marketing and encourage members to refer business to each other, and no chapter can have two people marketing the same business.
3. JCI Canada: The Junior Chamber International has a Canadian division that is just great. The JCI specializes in young entrepreneurs and is an amazing place to meet young professionals. I recently attended an event and was absolutely blown away by the energy and ideas that the group had. If you are between 18-40, you should definitely be checking this chamber out. Click here to learn more.
4. The Italian Chamber of Commerce Toronto (ICCT): Quite frankly, the ICCT is the best chamber in Toronto for my money (and I’m not just saying that because they are a client of ours!). They have a tremendously supportive staff, throw amazing networking events, have a wide variety of members, and offer great advertising opportunities. Best of all, they coordinate their efforts with every other Italian chamber in the world, so if you need help expanding a business internationally they are ideally suited to help you. Click here to learn more about joining.
Visit and attend some functions of all of these chambers before you decide to join any. All great networking places allow you to audit a few events before you become a member.
Membership fees are very affordable, and they offer you a chance to interact with other members and receive great member benefits that often result in savings of thousands of dollars for many businesses.
Yusuf Gad
President, a5MEDIA inc
http://www.a5media.ca
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