Gold Coast groups?

[yourriskadvisr]

Guys,
If someone wants to be the organiser, I can provide the facilities in Bundall.

Adam.

[Novex]

Hi all,

Did you guys ever meet up? I'm really interested in joining your meetings if you have so would appreciate it if you keep me posted.

Zena - Novex Bookkeeping

[Skinsolutions]

Originally Posted by Vanessa R

Hi, I’m loving this site. It has taken me a while to find a website/forum that is actually active.

My question is, are there any Gold Coast based business networking/ meet-up groups around? I can’t seem to find any locally based.


Vanessa R.

Hello Vanessa, have you managed to find anything. Perhaps if you tell me what area you live in I might be able to help. BNI is quite expensive but works well I believe.

[vstacy]

Originally Posted by ProWriter

Hi there fellow Gold Coasters!
Here's a list of links to various local business networking groups you might like to try:-
Terri Cooper Networking - www.terricooper.com.au
Business Excellence - www.goldcoasttweednetworking.com
Women's Network Australia - www.womensnetwork.com.au
Early Riser's Club - www.earlyrisers.com.au
BNI - www.bnigoldcoast.com.au
Business Swap - www.BusinessSwap.com.au

... and there are also many Chamber of Commerce meetings, depending on which area you're in.

Woha ! Um... a little overwhelming all the choices !!! Thank you for the list ....

[Backup Guy]

I regularly go to the Terri Cooper events that others have mentioned and I highly rate them!
Interesting speakers and no membership fee so you just go to the events that suit. There is one this Friday morning.
Like all networking it is a long term investment but I have made many valuable contacts that led to business down the track rather than directly then and there.

[Blab]

Try your Local Chamber of Commerce they hold meetings, seminars, and breakfast (sometimes free) approx monthly. I attend an awesome one last week on the Northern end of the Gold Coast.
Try also, Motivated Morning Tea - they are holding a networking session in July
Good Luck!
Kind regards
Blab

[vstacy]

New networking group on the scene:

http://awlqld.com.au/files/TDLaunch.pdf

I can't make it. Lots of networking events happen that clash with my work :-( I can't make any breakfasts as I've got an on going client whom I do from 6.30 am until 7am or around that time then usually at least one or two other clients for morning pet sits or dog walks. Lunches maybe depending on clients. Thus only time I really can do anything is after 6.30 or around 7pm which once again isn't conductive as a lot of "twilight" networking functions have well + truly started by that time.

Just venting a bit as I want to get out there + network + meet people damnit outside of my own industry.


On that note, is there anyone interested in having another FS GC get together ?

Can I suggest a dinner ?

Anyone know of any networking events that have a 6.30 or 7pm start ?

[NickByrne]

Hi guys,

My company has a social enterprise initiative called the ThinkActLive.com network. This spawned on the Coast and we have monthly networking events. Its in its fourth month of running now, and I have organised the first four events, but the idea was that the 'chairman' or organiser would be rotated on a 6 monthly basis. They are held on the first Wednesday of each month, I'll put the next event RSVP details up on our site asap.

The objective of the monthly meetups is to get together in a medium sized group, invite a guest speaker (or have a group member present) on a business theme that is troubling some group members. For example, we had a great internet marketing presentation from websiteessentials.com.au a couple months back.

Send me an email nick@thinkactlive.com if you'd like to be involved, or present at our next networking event.

[vstacy]

I'm a member of Ask Erni + have attended two breakfasts. These are fun so I plan to go to more of them.

I've been warned off the Chamber of Commerce I joined as (honestly) I need something informal. I don't want to have to dress up too much esp. for breakfasts plus I feel dressing up too much mis-represents me. People like how I come with dog/cat hair.

BNI is definitely not my cup of tea from speaking with a lot of people (some of them who do use BNI) as well as the people who co-ordinate the group I would've joined.

Have yet to attend a Terri Cooper event however will do so EVENTUALLY. It's on my radar.

I also formed my own (informal) networking group:

http://www.goldcoastpets.com.au/petwise


Some of the Womens Networking groups available are EXPENSIVE! I don't like to spend anything more than $20-$30 for a "fee" to attend. One was asking for $70 as a member (woha!).

[thedistance]

Terri Cooper events are usually ok but lately it seems she has limited her speakers to a select few people that you see 'doing the rounds' in SEQ. Some are ok but some have been just terrible.

One particular workshop I would advise against are the Social Media sessions frequented by a guy called Simon Dell. It seems to be all that is on her calendar these days. He is based in Brisbane and is one of the most self-obsessed and un-charismatic presenters I have ever come across. The presentation for a start basic in content, even despite it being a beginners session, and pulled from various workshops I had seen before. He had no intention to engage in the audience, but just pitch one way and promote himself. Our group was relatively switched on with social media, yet he managed to poorly gauge this and patronize in his delivery. After the session I asked him about successful campaigns he had run over social media, and he shrugged off the question rudely with some remark, turned his back and trailed off with another attendee! Later as we wer about to leave (after forgetting my name too!) Simon came up to my wife and I, asked me what I did, and then tried to sell his agency and current specials to us!

I hope this isn't too negative however I was really disappointed at this event and Terri's ability to screen/prepare her presenters which has put me and my business partners off any future events with her.

On the other hand I see the above-mentioned speaker is a panel add in on the next Networx event in Brisbane. Not sure if I want to attend… but Networx are usually really well organized and have a great, mixed crowd! Undecided!