Exeter is a vibrant city with a very strong business community and active networking in lots of different business sectors, I shall try to cover these here with my comments on them, please add your own.
B2B Networking Lunch – Here they have a monthly lunchtime networking events for anyone in business, so you get a really diverse mix of people. I have met everyone form solicitors to sign makers – highly recommended.
Contact: Dave Barr – 0845 307 1954 / dave@tbx1.com
Exeter and East Devon Business Club – This went through a name change in recent years, it used to be the Heart of Devon Enterprise Agency Business Club. They still have a great monthly lunch at the Deer Park Hotel on the outskirts of Honiton with a speaker, a good turnout – I like it.
Contact: Linda Bennett – 01392 248263 / exeter@thebestof.co.uk
Exeter Chamber of Commerce
Exeter Chamber of Commerce is probably the oldest professional networking organisation there is, helping business and informing for more years than I care to remember. The ‘daddy’ of networking and usually a great lunch – highly recommended.
Contact: Lisa Vanstone – 01392 431133 / enquiries@exeterchamber.co.uk
thebestofExeter – With a very strong web presence and good and growing networking meetings at their new offices in basepoint, worth getting into. – highly recommended.
Contact: Linda Bennett – 01392 248263 / exeter@thebestof.co.uk
Women in Business – As it says a women’s support network, and yes I have been to one to present services to. A great example of support groups working and growing.
Contact: Kath Tatlock – 0845 643 9495 info@businesssupportnetwork.com
BNI – There are two BNI groups in Exeter both following a similar format with an early morning breakfast, and they state;
‘We are a friendly group of local professionals who meet with one objective in mind – to find business for each other!’
They always have a warm welcome for guests and are keen to meet new faces.
Tuesday 7am – BNI ISCA www.bniisca.co.uk
Thursday 7am BNI Rougemount – contact clive@bnidevonandcornwall.co.uk
The Exeter Business Network – Been around over 15 years and offers a monthly, very structured and business focused networking event with a lunch. You generally get a high turnout of senior decision makers and business leaders from the local area. – highly recommended.
Contact: Sean Humby – 0800 032 9763 / sean@business-network.co.uk
I have been to other networking events, some come and go, anyone remember the Friday Club? The great thing about Exeter is you can give things a try meet some of the same faces, maybe some new ones but it all adds to new business leads, see my top tips for networking.
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