Many Voices, One Community: The NetWorking Empire of Cesar Plata and infoBayArea.com

By Jan Altman, Entrepreneurial Editor             Jan's Bio

If anyone at all could be called a clearinghouse for networking in the San Francisco Bay Area, I'd vote for Cesar Plata and his infoBayArea.com. Hands down. He's even been called "the Craig's List for business owners and professionals." Around here, that's a compliment worth more than a lifetime pass across the high-priced Golden Gate Bridge.

In his previous life as a mechanical engineer, Cesar enjoyed going to networking events. By 1996, he was quite active in the Latino professional community, and began emailing others about local happenings. His email list quickly grew.

When Cesar was laid off in 1998, the idea for a new business venture was as close as his mouse. He took his mailing list and established a networking service for Latinos in business. He found his first advertiser "within 30 seconds" of going to his first event, and has never looked back. (I should note that that same advertiser is still with him now on his 8th anniversary, and plans to stay with him for life.)

Cesar held his very first event in 1999, and brought in more than 60 people. His website, www.MuyBueno.net, was launched in January of 2000 at a large event held at The Tech Museum (a major landmark in San Jose). Cesar's habit of booking large museums and 4-star hotels for his events made him stand out from other networking groups. Though his initial focus was Latino professionals, word got out and the diversity of his audience expanded.

Since then, Cesar snatched up the domain infoBayArea.com (way to go, guy!) and has established a veritable clearinghouse for both on-line and off-line networking in the Bay Area.

On-line networkers are treated to a wonderful assortment of resources:

Off-line networkers can fill up their calendars well into 2007. As of this writing, I counted 51 events listed on the site. I asked Cesar what makes his events different, and he described a unique type of atmosphere. He calls it "business casual," and said that the laid-back vibe makes people feel happy. His attendees even hug each other, and rarely is anyone ever standing alone. Though I didn't get any names (darn), Cesar is happy to report that some million-dollar deals and over a dozen marriages have resulted from his events.

(Being single and available, I think it's my journalistic duty to check out some of his socials, don't you? This is for purely academic reasons, of course! Will report back on my findings...)

The book Top 10 Traits of Silicon Valley Dynamos states, "Cesar Plata is blazing trails in helping people connect with each other.... Cesar has developed an amazing network that informs and helps unite thousands...." His long-term vision is to develop an informed network of professionals and business owners throughout the United States. And we here at The National NetWorker think that's just pretty darn cool.

If you would like to get on Cesar's mailing list, or simply learn more about his recipe for networking success, call him at 408-272-4772 or write to him at info@muybueno.net. He also welcomes any interest you may have in opening up chapters in your own area.

Thank you for taking the time out of your busy day to read me on The National NetWorker! Please let us know if an article that you've read here today has helped you in any way.
 

Contact Jan at JanA@TheNationalNetworker.com or via TNNW Blog.
 

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