The Power of 5: Chamber’s Networking Event Builds Business Connections
The Daily News
“It is very beneficial. It’s something I recommend everyone join,” Broadnax said.
Broadnax said that getting the chance to get a personal meeting with someone in the business world can be difficult on the clock and off work – that’s why he attends the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce’s 5-Minute Networking meetings. He’s looking to build up revenue from corporate rental accounts – a key demographic for Enterprise, he said.
The chamber introduced its networking meetings in January. Since then, more are signing up in an effort to gain business connections, according to Dana Matukas, partnership development director, who said that more than 300 participants have signed up so far. By the end of the year, Matukas said that number will be closer to 400.
With small groups of 20 or more playing musical chairs in assigned seat order, those who participate rotate to a different person every five minutes, according to Matukas.
At the sound of a bell, participants have to get their pitch ready and be poised to give a prepared set of materials – a business card at least.
Dennis Pardue, sales consultant for Alsco in Nashville, also attended.
“I got the opportunity to get a lot of potential new clients and was able to get a lot of knowledge for what other people are doing in the market,” Pardue said.
Alsco caters to Bowling Green’s restaurant sector by handling the linen services for local restaurant operations at the Catfish House, Greenview Regional Hospital and other eateries in the city, Pardue said.
Matukas said participants will never meet the same person more than once. That’s because she uses special networking software that keeps a database on participants and who they meet, she said. Participants can also go online and see who they have met and add specific details to individual profile contacts, Matukas said.
“It’s a really unique type of software,” Matukas said. “This way, you truly make the connection and nothing gets lost. The purpose is to truly network here.”
The 5-minute Networking events at the chamber are also influencing other organizations to adopt similar meetings.
Networking Women will have its third Networking With Women in 5-Minutes event from 10:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. Friday at Mariah’s Restaurant.
According to the organization’s last newsletter, more than 50 new members have signed up. You must pre-register for the event by e-mail. For more information, visit bgnetworkingwomen.com.
Matukas sees the growing popularity of five-minute networking meetings outside of the chamber’s operations as a good thing.
“All it does is get people used to networking with people – stick out your hand, tell them what you do, and tell them about your business,” Matukas said.
The next 5-Minute Networking meeting with the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce is in November. For more information, contact Matukas at 781-3200.
Copyright 2007 News Publishing LLC (Bowling Green, KY)
Return to Press Releases...
|