If you are ever in Kansas City on the first Tuesday of the month, be sure to attend Kansas City's long-running Networking Business Breakfast. Organized by the General Services Administration, the event begins at 7:15AM at a location you can discover by going to http://r6.gsa.gov/breakfast/breakfast.asp or call 816-926-7203. The July 1, 2008 event will be at Embassy Suites Kansas City-Plaza, 220 W. 43rd St.

Kansas City's Networking Business Breakfast offers Small Business and Entrepreneurs the opportunity to introduce their business to small businesses, large businesses, school districts, universities, plus local, state and federal agencies. At the event you can increase your company's exposure by networking, making new contacts and discovering new cistomers. Attendance averages about 120, but may swell to 300 during special events.

Begun in 1991, The KC Networking Breakfast is one of the oldest business networking events in the Greater KC area. It began as a venue to help companies stay in business by doing business with each other.

Pat Brown-Dixon, who oversees of the event, told me that the philosphy of the networking event is "very simple; find a good location, get together and laugh, have a stong common experience that results in relationships which will lead to business". At each event 10 individuals give a 2 minute presentation about their business. In addition each person in the room gives a very brief introduction of their business. When asked how it is assured that each person keeps their comments within the alloted time, Pat explauined their very fun time keeping technique. When time is up for a particulatr person, Pat stands up – which is the cue for the entire crowd to shout:"it's time to sit down". Hopefully each presenter does not get to experience the "audience participation" time keeping strategy too often. By the end of the breakfast, everyone has been introduced and there can be very effective networking.

The breakfast also has sponsors, which are business organizations that represent target audiences. Each sponsor is responsible for letting their network know about the breakfast and encourages attendance. Over the years, sponsorship has grown to include the Greater Kansas City Federal Executive Board which expanded sponsorship to include local, state and Federal government small business advocates. Also added were nonprofit organizations with grants to help small businesses, such as the Procurement Technical Assistance Centers, the Small Business Development Centers, and KC SourceLink.

Event costs are kept low because advertising is shared and has been picked up by local media, as well as newsletters and internet links of the sponsors. The sponsors gain exposure, as well, and a sharing of calendars allows an orderly and supportive schedule of small business events throughout the Greater KC area.

As word of this event has traveled, the GSA office has helped to start similar Breakfasts in other areas such as DesMoines, IA, St. Louis, MO, Omaha, NE and Topeka, KS. Additionally, attendees have come from all over the country, scheduling their travel to the Greater KC area, to coincide with the regularly held Breakfast.

"After Breakfast Sessions" have been successful, as well, meeting the needs of the small business audience through seminars on various business development opportunities and topics, all presented by nonprofit entities at no charge to the attendees.

The Breakfast has also highlighted various business celebrations throughout the year, such as Minority Enterprise Development Month, Small Business Month,and even Veterans Day (for Veteran-Owned businesses).

For additional information on this great netwoirking series feel free to contact Patricia Brown-Dixon at http://r6.gsa.gov/breakfast/breakfast.asp. And remember, bring plenty of business cards and brochures when you attend the Kansas City Networking Business Breakfast.

 

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