Visitors welcome
Come along on a Wednesday morning
You will be out the door by 8:30am with a room full of new contacts and a clear idea of whether this is for you. No cost to visit, no obligation to join.
Every Wednesday
Doors open 6:30am for open networking.
Meeting starts 6:45am sharp.
Finishes 8:30am.
In person
Face to face every week. Free on-site parking. Breakfast is served and paid for at the venue on the morning.
What to expect
What happens in the room
The meeting runs to a fixed agenda so it starts and finishes on time, every week.
6:30am: open networking
Coffee, breakfast and unstructured conversation. Arrive at this point rather than 6:45, because this is where most of the useful chat happens.
6:45am: meeting opens
Welcome, introductions and the chapter housekeeping. Visitors are introduced to the room early so everyone knows who you are.
Sixty-second presentations
Every member gives a one-minute pitch: who they are, what they do and the specific referral they are looking for this week. Visitors get a slot too, so have yours ready.
2 feature presentations
Two members give a longer presentation each week, so the chapter gets to properly understand one business at a time.
Referrals and thank yous
Members hand over the referrals they have generated for each other and report the business that closed from previous ones. This is the part that makes the rest worthwhile.
8:30am: close
Done, on time. Most people stay another ten minutes to book one-to-ones for the coming fortnight.
Come prepared
Bring
- Plenty of business cards, you will hand out 25 of them
- A 60-second introduction: who you help, what problem you solve, and what a good referral looks like for you
- An appetite, breakfast is included in the venue charge
Good to know
- Business dress. It is a business meeting, not a coffee catch-up
- Arrive by 6:30am to get the value out of the open networking
- Let us know you are coming so the venue sets a place for you
- Visiting twice before you decide anything is normal and encouraged
Visitor questions
How much does it cost to visit?
Nothing to attend. The venue charges for breakfast on the morning, payable there.
Can I visit more than once?
Yes, and we would rather you did. Two or three visits gives you a proper sense of the chapter before you commit to anything.
What if a competitor is already a member?
You are still welcome to visit. Specialties are defined narrowly and there may be a related seat open. If not, BNI Melbourne East has other chapters nearby and we will point you at the right one.
Is there parking?
Yes, free on-site parking at Canterbury International Hotel.
Do I have to speak?
You get a 60-second slot to introduce yourself. It is friendly, and it is the single most useful minute of your morning.
What does membership cost if I join?
BNI membership involves an application fee and annual dues set by BNI, plus the weekly meeting and venue costs. Ask on the day and we will give you the current figures in writing.
Let us know you are coming
Register on the official BNI chapter page, or send us a message and a member will call you back to confirm.