What to Expect
What a Thursday morning actually looks like.
Before Your First Visit
Come prepared, not stressed.
There's nothing complicated about visiting a BNI meeting, but a little preparation goes a long way.
- 01Register through the StrongChapters link so the chapter knows you're coming
- 02Bring a solid stack of business cards
- 03Know your 30-second introduction: who you are, what you do, and what a great referral looks like for your business
- 04Arrive by 9:15 AM to take advantage of open networking before the structured meeting begins
- 05Dress business casual — you'll fit right in
The Meeting Structure
A typical Thursday morning.
Meetings run from 9:15 AM to approximately 10:45 AM. Here's the flow:
Open Networking
Arrive early, grab a seat, and start meeting people. This informal time is genuinely valuable — some of the best connections happen before the meeting officially begins.
Meeting Opens
The chapter president calls the meeting to order. Visitors are welcomed and introduced. There's a brief educational moment to kick things off.
Member 30-Second Presentations
Each member gets 30 seconds to describe their business and their ideal referral. Pay attention — you'll learn a lot about who's in the room and what they're looking for.
Featured Speaker
One member presents in depth for about 10 minutes. This is where the group really gets to know a member's business, their story, and how to refer them effectively.
Referral and Testimonial Exchange
This is the part that makes BNI different from every other networking group you've tried. Members pass written referrals and share testimonials publicly. Every week. Not occasionally.
Chapter Business and Close
Brief announcements, any chapter business, and a close. Most meetings wrap up right around 10:45 AM.
After the Meeting
What happens next.
After the meeting, members and visitors often continue connecting informally. If you're interested in membership, someone from the group will likely come find you. If you'd rather take your time and think it over, that's completely fine — visitors can attend up to 2 meetings before making any decision.
If you have questions about the open seat for your profession, pricing, or the application process, someone from the Membership Committee will be glad to walk you through it.
See it for yourself
Ready to see it for yourself?
No description does it justice. Come visit a meeting and experience what structured referral networking looks like in action.