Have you just started a business or simply want to be more involved in the York business scene? We are lucky to have a strong community of business owners who regularly come together to meet and support one another through various networking events in York. One simple conversation can lead to so many different paths, so never underestimate the power of a face to face conversation with someone new! Opportunities can come out of nowhere, and knowing the right people can play a huge part in them. There are numerous networking events available in York. So, whether you want to meet new people, promote your business or increase your contact list, there will be a networking event that is right for you.
We know that your time is extremely precious, so understanding which networking event is suitable for you and your business is important. Therefore, we have put together a simple guide to make things a little easier when it comes to the world of networking in York and the surrounding areas so you can choose which ones are right for you easily. Here are some of the main groups, upcoming ones and a little bit about who they are good for and what they entail:
How Often: Monthly
When: First Friday of every month
Where: Piccadilly Tap at Spark York 6pm and then Brew York 8.30pm
Cost: n/a
Details: An after-work social for all.
Who is this group good for? Everyone
Contact: Visit their Facebook page
How Often: Every 2-3 months
When: Usually 08.30
Where: Everyman Cinema, York.
Cost: Free
Who is this group good for? Social entrepreneurs, funders, business owners and start-ups – people doing great stuff across York.
How Often: Monthly
When: Second Thursday of every month
Where: Usually at Revolution York on Coney St.
Cost: Free but must book
Who is this group good for? Like-minded people studying, working or interested in technology. Not exclusive to women!
Contact https://www.wityork.org.uk/about
How Often: Fortnightly
When: Before normal office hours
Where: Novotel York
Cost: Membership fees apply but they offer a free trial first.
Who is this group good for? This is a business referral network which pro-actively looks for work for those in the group.
Contact http://www.yorktrusted.com/
How Often: Monthly
Where: Various locations including Hotel Du Vin, Raylor Centre, NRG Healing Centre, York.
Cost: Small fee applies
Who is this group good for? Those in the well-being industry to build connections as well as to support one another to grow, expand and run a profitable therapy business.
Contact: https://www.facebook.com/pg/LindsayBanks111/events/?ref=page_internal
B for B York (Business for Breakfast)
How Often: Fortnightly
When: Alternating between Fridays and Tuesdays 7 am
Where: Hotel Du Vin York and other locations in Yorkshire
How Long: 1.5 hours
Cost: £13.37 as a guest
Details:
- Join as a guest – see the meeting framework in action and better understand how it will work for you and your business contacts.
- At a Business for Breakfast group, you will have sector exclusivity, meaning that there will be no other competing businesses asking for the same referrals.
- At your BforB meeting you will not only be introduced to the group, but also invited to deliver a 60-second pitch on your business to highlight what you do, and what makes you different. It is always useful to prepare and practice your short introduction in advance.
How Often: Monthly
When: 8am – 9am
Where: Thirteen Thirty One
Details:
- A small grouping of people from different professions and businesses.
- The group meet monthly, share ideas, and interact with each other for everyone’s mutual benefit.
- Closed event/meetings but more information can be gained by contacting them
How Often: Monthly
When: Lunchtime
Where: Various across York, Wakefield, Leeds
How Long: Usually 3 hours including lunch
Cost: £30+vat for one visit to each location and then membership is £300+vat for one year
Details:
- The Business Network is a structured lunchtime networking group
- Membership is corporate and by invitation. 4 to 5 members in each business category.
- Delegate numbers are usually 35 and 50 at the Wakefield & York Events and between 55 and 70 at the Leeds Events
- Attend once at all three groups as a visitor (paying just lunch fee) but then you need to apply for annual membership
How Often: Twice a month
When: Evening meetings
Where: Alternative member venues
How Long: 1.5 hours
Cost: Membership £250 + VAT per year + £15 management fee per month +VAT
- Membership Benefits:
- Facilitator support
- Personal buddy/mentor
- Monthly Master Class meetings
- Online GBW TV fact sheets and guides
- Personal profile at GiveBackWorks.com
- Monthly promotional email to local consumers
Details:
- Members are encouraged to bring guests to the monthly meetings in order to generate interest and grow the group.
- Meetings are normally held from 18:00 to 19:30. We find early evening meetings are convenient for most people.
- Members are asked to arrange one-to-one meetings with other members before and after each MasterClass in order to get to know each other better.
- Members are also able to hold workshops before and after monthly meetings if there’s sufficient interest from their colleagues for the topics they would like to discuss.
Who is this Group good for?
- Solo-entrepreneurs
- Business owners
- Start-ups
- Local businesses
How Often: Monthly
When: Morning meetings 7:45 am – 9:30 am
Where: Various Locations
How Long: 1 hour 45 min
Cost: £30 + VAT but first visit is complimentary
Details:
- Beginning with a ‘Cuppa’ and Full English
- Followed by a fun quiz then a presentation
- Interactive workshops in small groups where you present your ideas to others afterwards
- Chance to meet other like-minded entrepreneurs and business owners around North Yorkshire
- Each month covers a different subject from; Leadership, Sales, Marketing, Pricing, Human Resources
Who is this group good for?
-
- Business owners
- Entrepreneurs
- Start-ups
How Often: Every 2 weeks
When: Morning – 8-10 am
Where: Pike Hills Golf Club
How Long: 2 hours
Cost: £15 per person
Details:
- Relaxed, friendly and productive networking
- 30 minute open networking
- Your proposition – 40 seconds round
- 4Sight slot – guest speakers
- Chance to have three 10 minute one to ones with people of your choice
- Chance to follow up and connect with members online
Who is this group good for?
- Start-ups
- Business Owners
- Entrepreneurs
- Decision Makers
How Often: Weekly
When: Early morning
Where: York Marriott
How Long: 90 minutes
Cost: Initial application fee + annual membership + venue fee where applicable
Details:
- Only 1 person from each professional speciality is accepted into a chapter of BNI
- Option to participate in trade shows and local conferences through the membership
- Option to participate in Leadership Team training
Who is this group good for?
- Business Development employees
- Start-ups
How Often: Once a month
When: First Thursday of the month at 12 pm
Where: Manahatta, York
How Long: 1-3 hours
Cost: FREE
Details:
- Informal networking
- Meet and chat over a drink or two with other like-minded business professionals from in and around York
- Free pizza
Who is this group good for?
- Any business looking to expand their network
Last Friday
How Often: Monthly
When: Last Friday of the month
Where: The Botanist, York.
Cost: n/a
Details: An after-work social to round up the month.
Who is this Group good for? Everyone
Contact: For more details or to be added to the list please email: thomasm@hentons.com
How Often: Monthly/Bi-Monthly
When: Morning/Evening
Where: Various venues in and around York
How Long: 2-3 hours
Cost: Member Costs – Team of 1-5 – £165 per year, Team of 6-15 – £275 per year, Team of 16+ – £450 per year + £25 per event / Non-member – £30 per event.
Individual membership £50
Details:
- A networking group that aims to promote the skill and expertise of York’s professional services sector
- Meetings begin with open networking
- Followed by a talk by a member or the venue host
- Finished with more open networking
Membership Benefits:
- A listing in their members’ directory
- Opportunities to showcase your professional through events
- The opportunity to network with like-minded professionals
- Regular information about the York and regional economy, learning how your business can maximise opportunities with members and partners and influence economic sustainability.
Who is this group good for?
- Professional Service Sector Businesses
- Decision Makers
- Business Owners
- Business Development employees
How Often: 1-2 events per month
When: Morning/Evening
Where: Various venues in York
How Long: 2-3 hours
Cost: £30-£40 per event
Details:
- Providing support to businesses in York
- Promoting and developing York as a great place to live and work
- Help to encourage start-ups and local businesses to grow
- The events vary between networking and masterclasses on specific business subjects
Who is this group good for?
- Business owners, managers and staff of start-ups, growth-focused and established businesses.
How Often: Monthly
When: Morning/Lunch/Evening
Where: Leeds, York, Wakefield, Sheffield, Huddersfield
How Long: 3 hours – full day
Cost: Varies
Details:
- Provides business support
- Bringing together Yorkshire businesses to meet, network, share experiences, learn, build relationships and trade
- Host annual events bringing thousands of businesses together- such as Buy Yorkshire
Who is this group good for?
- Executives & stakeholders of Yorkshire businesses
How Often: Daily/Weekly
When: Morning/Lunch/Evening
Where: Various locations across Yorkshire
How Long: 2 hours
Cost: Free
Details:
- Supporting businesses to start-up and grow
- Host various networking and pop-up events regularly across Yorkshire
- What are the Pop-Up Cafes?
- 20 minutes of free advice from local experts – including industry experts from starting businesses, finance, marketing, PR, social media, tax & accountancy
- Stay as long or as little as you want
- No sales pitch – experts have volunteered to help the local community not to sell
Who is this group good for?
- Start-ups
- Business owners seeking business advice
The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB)
How Often: Monthly
When: Morning
Where:Various in Yorkshire and lots online
Cost: FREE membership – £5 per meeting
Benefits:
- No annual fee
- Established framework of both face to face and virtual events
- Structured format
- UK wide base of like-minded individuals
- Structured and supportive business environment
Details:
- Structured networking with talk from a member
Who is this Group good for?
- Small businesses – owners & decision makers
York & North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce
How Often: Weekly/Monthly
When: Various
Where: Various locations
Cost: Membership (fee based on no. of employees) per year + individual fee per event varies
Membership Benefits:
- Business growth & promotion
- Business support
- Business protection
- Member to member offers
- Money savings
- Staff benefits
Details:
- Each event varies from breakfast, lunch meetings, afternoon teas, workshops/masterclasses and specific networking events
Who is this group good for?
- Business owners from start-ups to large organisations
Contact
For more information please call 01904 210010 or visit the website.
How Often: Monthly
When: Third Tuesday every month – 7:30pm
Where: Regen Centre, Riccall
Cost: Members £6 / Guests £10 (Non members always welcome)
Who is this group good for?
- Yorkshire Leading Ladies is a business networking group run by women for women with the aim of supporting women to expand their businesses, make links in the community and learn new skills.
The YES (Yorkshire Executive Support) Network
How Often: Monthly (with the exception of August & November)
When: The last Wednesday of every month – 6-8.30pm
Where: Various exciting venues across York and surrounding areas
Cost: Members £100 + vat payable annually ( non members always welcome and free on first visit)
Details:
By joining the YES Network you are demonstrating your commitment in championing the Executive Support profession, your role and your business by actively realising your potential, improving your professional network and strengthening your regional awareness.
- The Annual membership includes:-◆ A programme of 10 development and social events annually
◆ Exclusive access to a range of inspirational speakers, trainers and activities to develop you personally and professionally
◆ YES Network personalised name badge
◆ Monthly newsletter
◆ Access to a closed Facebook Group Resolution Centre in order to share challenges, and experiences providing professional support
◆ Opportunities to present or prepare an activity for future events
◆ Welcome drink and nibbles/canapés on arrival at most events
◆ Exclusive members only special offers and discounts
◆ Exclusive invites to special parties, functions and events
◆ Entry into prize draws
◆ Complimentary first consultation with BEE Events for your next corporate function
Who is this group good for?
- The YES (Yorkshire Executive Support) Network is a networking group open to EAs, PAs, VAs or anyone conducting an Executive Support role within the region or who has the ambition to. The group is run by a former Executive PA who is now a professional Events Manager with the aim of bringing like-minded people together. It provides an inspirational, interactive and supportive environment for members to network, gain access to top-quality motivational speakers and undertake training and activities in a relaxed environment in order to develop yourself personally and professionally.
We hope these have outlined the amazing opportunities available for networking in York for you. If you would like to add anything to our list please let us know and we will add these for you! Please email us on info@pickandmixms.co.uk