Networking Opportunities
Various organisations offer Networking events in the local area. Some of the listed organisations exist solely to derive revenue from organising networking events, whereas others offer and more club type environment.
Annual membership fees and and events may carry costs which need to be carefully considered and appraised for they value they actually return against the cost and most certainly consult other successful people on what Networking they consider worthwhile.
Here is a brief list of those we are presently aware of:
4Networking
All Industries
Friendly and relaxed networking, at both breakfast and lunch meetings, with regular social events. Speaker from the membership on their industry and own business. Website with extensive directory and forum facilities.
Premium Membership
Group Leader: Brad Burton from 4Networking
T: 07970 661 754
E: brad@4networking.biz
4Networking WSM
Edingworth Road
Edingworth (Nr WSM)
Somerset, BS24 0JB
Group Leader: John Raine
T: 01275474557
E: wsm@4networking.biz
4Networking Gloucester
The Priory Inn
Saint Oswalds Retail Park
Gloucester, GL1 2SR
Group Leader: John Denman
T: 01452 535657 or 07970 794 764
E: Gloucester@4networking.biz
4Networking Clevedon
The Bridge Inn
North End Road
Clevedon, BS49 4AU
Group Leader: Terry Cooper
T: 01275 349414
E: terry@cooperbradbury.co.uk
4Networking Portishead
Gordano Gate Portishead
Wyndham Way
Portishead
Avon, BS20 7GA
Group Leader: Elliott Porter
T: 07977 417 418
E: gordano@4networking.biz
4Networking Mendips
Stocks Lane
North Wootton
Wells
Somerset, BA4 4EU
Group Leader: John Raine
T: 01275474557
E: mendips@4networking.biz
4Networking Bristol
Thistle Bristol
Broad Street
Bristol, BS1 2EL
Group Leader: John Raine
T: 01275474557
E: bristol@4networking.biz
Advantage South West
All industries.
Based in Bridgwater, this small business group offers lots of services to members and holds networking meetings with speakers, offers a free helpline, discounted ratess on trade stands at craft shows, and publicity via the website.
Judi Fisher 01278 424 456
www.advantage-sw.biz
The Association of Career Professionals International
Personnel Management Industry
The West of England and Wales Chapter covers a substantial geographic area and has regular meetings with members primarily involved in career management, outplacement, training, HR, recruitment, coaching, etc. Offers opportunities to update knowledge and network.
President, Claire Coldwell, 01793 784 992 claire@adastra-cm.com
www.acpinternational.org
The Association of MBAs in the South West
Business Academia
You don’t have to possess a Masters in Business Administration to attend and there is also a non-members mailing list.
Regional Chair is Derek Cheshire, 01666 822509 derek@creative4business.co.uk
The Association’s London number is 020 7246 2696. www.mbaworld.com
Bath Business Women’s Association
Business Women
Meets for Lunches, after work drinks and other events and operates a directory and a newsletter.
Low cost membership.
Chair, Sophie Williams, on 01225 442634.
Bristol Business Network
All Industries
A highly-structured monthly lunch meeting which is restricted to decision-makers only.
Events are to a seating plan with guidance on who’s attending, what they do and where they are scheduled to be seated. Meetings commence with Networking for about half-an-hour, prior to being seated as per the seating plan. Each person in attendance has three minutes to describe their business (business cards are circulated). There’s a general interest speaker on a subject of perceived benefit to the attendant audience, with a 10-minute interval for inter-table contact. An information table is provided for marketing material. One visit is available to appraise and prior to deciding if you would like to join. Premium cost membership. There are also branches in Exeter, Cardiff, etc.
Jackie Enright, 01395 578 877
www.business-network.co.uk
Bristol Enterprise Network
High Tech, High Growth Businesses
Self entitled as ‘The network for high tech, high growth organisations in the Bristol City region’. Membership is free, thanks to Government funding to support enterprise. Member only attendance rule for events. There are networking opportunities and connections to academia, small to medium enterprises (SMEs) and larger organisations, venture capitalists and financial corporations.
www.bristolenterprise.com
Business and Professional Women UK Limited
Women working for Women
BPW Bristol encourages women to achieve their full potential in all aspects of their lives. Benefit from involvement in activities designed by women for women and enjoy networking, support and sharing a positive outlook. Meetings are monthly at the Hilton Hotel, Aztec West.
Contact Sue Holtom, 0117 932 4377 for more details or check out their website: www.bpwbristol.co.uk
The Business Enterprise Club
Small Businesses
Focused on small businesses in a club style of meeting, usually held on the first Monday evening in the month, at the BRAVE Enterprise Agency in central Bristol. Guest Speakers, networking and social events. Attend three meetings for free before committing to the £25 annual membership.
Ring BRAVE on 0117 944 5330 for details.
www.brave.org.uk
Business Network International (BNI)
All Industries (subject to free classification availability)
A worldwide group rapidly setting up Chapters locally. Fairly pressurised environment with structured rules and regulations for procedure. Membership restrictions to only one representative per classification, in any one Chapter. Heavily orientated to generating referrals for other members. Weekly early breakfast meetings, which you must attend or arrange a substitute to attend. If you fail to attend 3 times you are ejected and they retain your money.
Premium cost membership.
BNI members often wear a burgundy and cream lapel pin.
Business Referral Exchange (BRE)
All Industries
Similar to BNI, but regarded as less pressured.
Weekly early morning breakfast meetings on Fridays 7.30am at Bristol Corus Hotel (Redwood Lodge Hotel).
Premium cost membership.
Anne Vujanic, 0117 942 2640
www.brenet.co.uk
Business West
All Industries
Weston-super-Mare & District Chamber of Trade & Commerce (affilliated)
Business West is an amalgamation of the former Business Link, the old Bristol Chamber of Commerce, Bath Chamber of Commerce and South Gloucester Chamber of Commerce.
In addition to many networking opportunities and a wide range of events, there are many services provided in support of businesses, such as advice, access to venture capitalists, training, legal guidance, an information centre, etc.
A (paid) membership driven organisation, regarded as a super-chamber by many with over 2500 members. You can request to be put on the mailing list for their events (monthly ‘What’s on’ e-mail) and attend some events without being a member. Refer to the diarywest page, which contains a list of events. There are some special interest (industry/sector) groups.
www.businesswest.co.uk
North Somerset Business Club
All Industries
Regular Networking meetings in Weston-super-Mare with several speakers, a regular newsletter, an annual ball and a extensive members directory.
Hazel Wintle: 01934 418 118.
Premier Breakfast Club
All Industries
Regular Business West breakfast meetings with networking and a speaker, held at Jury’s Hotel in Bristol Centre. Business West Events Department: 0117 973 7373.
South Gloucestershire Small Business Club
Small Business
Basedy in Downend, North East Bristol.
Sarah Bullock 0117 910 9200
info.sglos@businesswest.co.uk
Business Women West
Business Women
Monthly Lunch meetings, with other social vents. Occasional male guests.
www.businesswomenwest.com
Clevedon Business Support
All Industries
Monthly lunch (sponsored) held in Clevedon centre.
Informal networking opportunity to share experiences and ideas in a relaxed club type atmosphere.
Andy Pitcher on 01275 464 660
andy@scenario-planning.co.uk
First Tuesday West
High Tech Industries
Meetings usually held on the first Tuesday of the month in the evening, at The Watershed, Bristol Centre.
The Institute of Directors (IoD)
All Industries (active Company Directorship status required)
Membership driven organisation, providing business support, information and advice, publications, helplines, training, meetings rooms, etc. in addition to networking events. Held at Castlemead in Bristol Centre.
Premium membership
IoD 0117 917 5801.
Institute of Management Consultancy
All Industries
Regular meetings with speakers or visits, usually with light refreshments.
Management status is not obligatory to attend.
David Rigby on 7050 054 078, David@Riggours.com
SWIG (South West Independent Consultants Group)
Management Consultants or related industries
Networking evening meetings, often with speakers
John Chinery, Secretary 01633 290 486
www.swconsult.co.uk
UK Human Resources Digest SW Group
HR & Training Industry.
West Country Business Association
All Industries
Usually a breakfast, with a speaker.
Secretary, Gillie Cannon 01225 463 399, gillie@ffpdirect.com