08/10/2026
I’ll be honest, traditional networking events have never been my favorite. They may work well for some people, but not everyone builds relationships best in a loud room full of strangers.
If chambers want to create meaningful connections for all of their members, it may be time to think beyond the traditional Business After Hours model.
Help make more of your members feel like they belong by organizing alternative networking opportunities:
🌳 Host walk and talks:
Invite a small group of members to meet at a local park or trail for a casual walk. Without the pressure of a networking event, conversations tend to be deeper, more relaxed, and more memorable.
🤝 Create intentional member pairings:
Match members for coffee based on their industries, goals, or complementary businesses.
✨ Offer small group networking:
Roundtables, mastermind sessions, or industry-specific lunches give everyone a chance to contribute and make it easier for more members to be part of the conversation.
🦮 Organize volunteer opportunities:
When members work side by side on a community project, conversations happen naturally. People connect more naturally instead of trying to make small talk in a crowded room.
Your chamber is made up of different personalities, communication styles, and comfort levels, and the more opportunities you create for members to connect in ways that feel natural to them, the stronger your community becomes.
What kind of networking experience would you participate in?
