Business networking was the theme on 25 March 2010 as over 150 local businesses took part in activities designed to help them make new business contacts.

The initiative delivered by Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce in partnership with Women in Business was so popular with local firms that registrations closed many weeks. Appropriately, the Equality Commission also supported the event which saw female led businesses professionally ‘date’ their male counterparts.

The activities that included speed networking and seminars delivered by Paul Hanna of Sales Academe were designed to assist businesses increase their contacts base and form new business relationships both downstream on the supplier side and upstream on the customer side. Participants were able to raise their business profile, build mutually beneficial business relationships and expand their markets by generating new business contacts with potential customers, suppliers and partners.

Many were able to share ideas, innovation and knowledge of best practice and made good use of this promotional opportunity. Often businesses operate within their own mini-networks and rarely get the opportunity to step outside and spread their message to a wider professional audience. The benefits and demand for such meant that this event was massively oversubscribed with over 100 companies registering an interest after bookings had closed.

Oonagh O’Reilly, Business Development Director said networking is essential for the local small business; “Demand for these initiatives where businesses engage with other businesses is very high, and I can see why. When members meet, new relationships and partnerships are formed and new business opportunities created. This exercise of connecting our local business networks is very powerful in helping to increase competitiveness and grow businesses”.