Chamber of Commerce Networking Programs - Helping Your Members to Really Know Each Other and Expanding Their Business Contacts Through Multi-Chamber Events

Are you looking for a way to make the most of your Chamber membership? Are you the person that skips the social networking groups because you already know everyone? Offer this suggestion to your chamber. Suggest a speed networking event with multiple chambers. It's like speed dating with a better outcome.

Step 1: Speed networking within your own chamber
Step 2: Speed networking through multi-chamber events.

Multi-chamber speed networking offer you a wonderful opportunity and a structured way to meet multiple business acquaintances from your chamber (or multiple chambers) of commerce in quick succession. Having a guideline for everyone to follow help people who network infrequently from being overwhelmed. In order for these events to be successful, everyone needs to follow the rules. Writing your own script is helpful. Remember, these introductions are to set the table, not to serve the whole meal. Each  member gives a three-minute presentation about their business.

Before the networking starts, every member at the table should exchange business cards. Now, follow the script:

1. Your Name
2. Name of Your company
3. What Is Your Position At Your Company
4. What Does Your Company Do
5. What Makes You or Your Company Unique.
6. You Should Do Business With Me because... If other chamber members will speak highly of you, use testimonials from other chamber members. 
7. A good Business Lead for me is... (name  3 or 4 specific company targets, company size, or customer group that allows your audience to bring up suggestions of people they know). While the people sitting with you may not immediately need your services, they may know someone actively seeking that product or service in the market  or someone that would be a good candidate for your business.

The organizing chamber will assign all participants to non-competitive tables for each round. What types of businesses would be interested in Multi-chamber speed networking events?

Attorneys
Auto repair
Banks
Hotels
Catering & Hospitality
Health Care
Media
Promotion
Real Estate
HR services
Mortgage
Legal Services
Telecomm
Taxes and Law
Credit Card Services
Office Supply
Employment Agencies

That's right! Just about every business in your chamber:

Here are some general speed networking guidelines:

1. Each person has a name tag with table rotations for each round.
2. The organizing chamber executive (moderator) will announce each table rotation, proceed to the table number listed on your name tag.
3. Assign a time-keeper at your table for each three minute portion.
4. Each member introduces themselves and their company over a three minute period using the seven steps listed above. 
5. The moderator will give a 5 minutes warning before each table rotation.
6. There is a 5 minute passing period.
7. 3 table rotations is a good start. More rotations can be added, depending on the total number of attendees. 
8. Attendees may stay at the conclusion of the speed networking event to continue to make connections.
9. Every attendee should receive a list of the people (and contact information) that attended, including the chamber of commerce executives that helped to set up the networking program. 

If you would like to get a fact sheet that covers all the rules, email me at jdussman.vp@villageprofilemail.com. And "pass it forward".

Multiple Sources including the Maumee (Ohio) Chamber, Skokie (Illinois) Chamber

John Dussman is Midwest Manager for VillageProfile.com, working with chambers in Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan and Missouri. More than 1500 Chamber of Commerce all over the United States have trusted Village Profile to produce their Membership Directories, Community Profiles, Visitor Maps and Publications, Economic Development magazines and Chamber of Commerce Maps. Contact John at (800)-600-0134 x239.