Even before I became a member of my local Chamber of Commerce, I attended more than a few of their networking events. I've invariably met interesting people with exciting jobs, intriguing points of view, and even the occasional insightful piece of advice. Lately, whether I'm attending a networking luncheon or a member reception, I rarely leave without at least one or two future lunch meetings or coffees scheduled. Yet, remarkably, I often hear from members and non-members alike who don't bother to attend the events because they've heard that you can't really meet anyone "good" there. Where do they get these crazy ideas? I think I know.

They sign up and they show up, but they never participate.

I was at a recent Chamber breakfast event, probably one of the best networking opportunities in the local area -- some would say in the entire state! That day we probably had over two hundred people in attendance. I overheard a small group of folks from a local financial institution which shall remain nameless. They were complaining that none of them had really met anyone new that they thought would be a good contact. What a waste of time!

Ironically, I remember this group coming in. They moved en masse to one of the central tables, dropped their notebooks and pens and immediately moved to the breakfast line. No wonder they hadn't met anyone new. It's hard to make a real connection when your hands are busy wielding a knife and fork and your mouth is full of bacon and eggs. Heck, of the people at the table, there might only have been one or two with whom they didn't work every day! Scott Ginsberg an expert on approachability writes in his book The Power of Approachability, "If you are sitting with YOUR company, you are sitting with the WRONG company."

How much better would their experience have been if they had actually put a little effort into actually participating in the event? They could have broken up their little clique and sat with new people! They could have held off on breakfast for an extra fifteen minutes and said hello to the folks standing about the room. Even better, they could have found some way to give back to the organization which was putting on this event. It's not that hard.

Shortly after enrolling in the local Chamber, I joined the Ambassadors, a small volunteer group within the larger Chamber. The Ambassadors do a variety of tasks, including helping to host these events. Now when I go to these networking mixers, I connect with all sorts of people. I meet the new folks coming in who need a little direction. I meet the old-timers who've known each other forever. I get to work with the Chamber staff who seem to know everything about everyone! I get to be the host of a party put on by the Chamber and the only thing I have to do is participate.

So, pay attention the next time you hear someone saying they don't bother going to Chamber events (or any other networking group for that matter). If they say they aren't getting anything out of it, there's a better-than-average chance that they aren't putting anything into it, either.

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