Frequently asked questions.

BNI is a professional business networking organization built around relationship-based referrals. Members meet weekly to build trust, learn about each other's businesses, and exchange qualified referrals. Each member holds a specific profession or industry seat within the chapter, which reduces competition inside the group and encourages members to actively promote one another. Meetings typically include open networking, brief member presentations, referral sharing, and a featured business education segment. The goal is simple: help members grow their businesses through trusted relationships and word-of-mouth referrals.

BNI Extreme Team is Wichita's chapter focused on building genuine relationships, strong accountability, and long-term business growth — not just collecting leads. Our chapter emphasizes a welcoming and growth-minded culture, high-quality referrals and professional collaboration, consistent member engagement, and a strong balance of professionalism and community. We believe networking works best when people genuinely know, like, and trust one another.

Members meet weekly in a structured format. Each meeting includes open networking, 30-second member presentations, a featured speaker, and a referral exchange. Members are also encouraged to schedule one-to-one meetings outside the weekly session to deepen their understanding of each other's businesses. The more consistently you participate and the more you give, the more you receive in return.

Absolutely. Visitors are welcome and encouraged. You can attend up to 2 meetings before making any decision about membership. Visiting lets you experience the chapter culture, meet the members, and decide whether the group is a good fit for your business — before anyone asks you to commit to anything.

Meetings run approximately 90 minutes and follow a consistent structure: open networking before the meeting starts, 30-second member presentations, a 10-minute featured speaker presentation, the referral and testimonial exchange, and chapter business or education to close. Every meeting is run with intention — no rambling, no filler, no wasted time.

Visit the Open Seats page to see the current member roster and which categories are available. If your industry is already represented, reach out anyway — other chapters in the region may have openings, and we're always happy to connect you with the right group. View Open Seats →

Membership investment varies based on regional dues and enrollment options. The best way to learn about current membership costs and what's included is to visit a meeting in person. That gives you the opportunity to experience the chapter culture, meet the members, and determine whether the group is a good fit before making any financial commitment. When you're ready, the membership committee will walk you through everything.

Chapters meet weekly, and consistent attendance is a core part of how BNI works — because referrals are built through relationships, and relationships require showing up. In addition to the weekly meeting, members are encouraged to schedule one-to-one meetings with fellow members, follow up on referrals promptly, and participate in occasional trainings and chapter activities. Most members view BNI as an active marketing strategy rather than a networking event. The more consistently you participate, the more value you receive.

A one-to-one is a scheduled 30-60 minute meeting between 2 members outside of the weekly group meeting. It's designed to help members truly understand each other's businesses, target clients, and referral needs. One-to-ones are where the real relationship-building happens — and they're one of the most consistent predictors of strong referral partnerships within the chapter.

Givers Gain is BNI's core philosophy. The idea is simple: when you focus on helping others grow their business, opportunities naturally come back to you. Rather than approaching networking with a 'what can I get?' mindset, BNI encourages members to lead with generosity, trust, and service. This philosophy creates stronger relationships and a more collaborative business environment — and it produces measurably better referral results.

BNI tracks referral activity and member engagement, and consistent participation is expected. That said, the goal isn't to hit a quota — it's to stay genuinely engaged with the group and actively look for ways to help your fellow members. When everyone does that, the referrals flow naturally. Members who treat it like a box to check tend to get less out of it than those who treat it like the marketing strategy it is.

Attendance is tracked and members are allowed a limited number of absences within a rolling six-month period per BNI guidelines. Consistency is a major part of why BNI works — people do business with those they know, like, and trust, and that only happens through regular participation. If life gets in the way, members can often send a substitute to represent their business and maintain their presence in the group.

Yes. If you're unable to attend a meeting, you can send a substitute to represent your business. Substitutes participate in the meeting just as you would, giving your 30-second presentation and representing your company in the referral exchange. This keeps your presence in the group even when you can't be there in person.

The Extreme Team meets every Thursday at 9:30 AM at Odd Fellow Hall, 930 West Douglas, Suite I, Wichita, Kansas 67203. Open networking begins at 9:15 AM. Parking is available nearby.

Bring a stack of business cards, a willingness to introduce yourself briefly, and a clear idea of who your ideal referral is. You don't need to prepare a formal presentation — just come ready to listen, learn, and connect. Dress professionally but comfortably; business casual is the norm.

Referrals are tracked through BNI's member platform. Members log referrals passed, record closed business generated from those referrals, and report engagement metrics that help the chapter measure its overall health. The tracking system creates transparency and accountability — every member can see what the group is producing and how their own participation stacks up.

The Extreme Team currently includes 22 professionals spanning commercial insurance, residential real estate, security systems, health insurance, nutritional supplements, HVAC, property and casualty insurance, roofing, financial advising, cleaning services, digital marketing, freight, fashion jewelry, painting, health facilities, human resources, residential mortgages, lawn care, auto repair, nonprofits, and bookkeeping. View Our Members →

No. BNI includes professionals and businesses of many sizes, from solo entrepreneurs and local service providers to larger organizations and corporate professionals. What matters most is relationship-building, professional credibility, consistent participation, and a genuine willingness to support others through referrals.

There's no guaranteed timeline, and anyone who tells you otherwise isn't being straight with you. What BNI does guarantee is the system: weekly structured opportunities to educate your fellow members about your business and receive warm introductions from people who trust you. Members who invest in one-to-ones early, show up consistently, and actively look for ways to refer others tend to see referrals come back within the first few months.

It starts with a visit. Come to a meeting, meet the members, and see if the group feels like the right fit. If you're interested in a seat and one is available for your profession, a member of the Membership Committee will walk you through the application process. The process includes a brief application and a membership committee interview.