Valley Library of Networking and Events

Think about why you are going. There are so many events you could spend all day, every day at one event or another but look at the list of events and make sure there is a valid reason for you to attend. (And getting a free breakfast isn’t one of them!!!) When I started out I attended 3-4 a week to help build up my business. I now do 1 or 2, you have to find the balance that is right for you.

When considering events they usually come in 5 categories

  • Speed Networking – You will sit with other and do a 1-2 minute pitch, when everyone has done there’s you move on to the next table until everyone is. This can also be done online
  • Informal networking – Meeting with other business owners – can be less effective and more difficult for you to get across what you do as they can end up with people splitting off into groups of people they already know
  • Business lunches – very often organised by sporting organisations
  • Events – Golf Days – behind the scenes at …
  • Exhibitions and Themed programmes – These tend to be theme around a particular purpose and will go on longer than the average networking event so there is an opportunities to have good conversations

Top Tips

  1. Before attending, make sure you have an informal mini pitch prepared and think about how you are memorable. Don’t just list the services you offer, why should they remember you over your competitors.
  2. Don’t be too pushy, these events are ways to build your connections in the first instance not to make a sale.
  3. You’ll need to be prepared to be there 10 minutes before it starts and stay all the way through to the end. If it is an exhibition they are more flexible for you to come and go as you need to but with networking events usually it is expected that you will be there for the duration.
  4. If you can’t make it let the organiser know – don’t just not show up. You will get a reputation for being a no show.
  5. What can you bring to the table, remember this is a way to build your brand and being helpful is one of the best ways to be remembered
  6. Be Social – check in, tag, message or post. This is a great way to continue to build exposure before and after the event

I regularly search through the events in South and West Yorkshire Regions. I have created a “Valley Library of Events” below. These are the ones that I have found to be useful and have helped me to build connections, get support and ultimately find new clients.

I am not paid or asked to list the events below and have no control over the events, registrations and costs. Every listing has the organiser link within it, you will need to click on these to be able to book your place.

Whilst every effort is made to keep these listings up to date and accurate, they may be changed by the organiser at short notice which is beyond our control. Please ensure that you keep the details sent to you directly from the organiser for the most up to date info.

Business Success Bootcamp

East Midlands Chamber (Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire) Millennium Way Chesterfield S41 8ND East Midlands Chamber Millennium Way, Chesterfield

About this event This workshop is hosted by the D2N2 Growth Hub and is part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund. Join us to discover key ways to boost your profitability and the value of your business as well as the typical methods of selling it. This event will help ambitious, innovative businesses understand how [...]

Free

Drop-In Networking with Sheffield Chamber

Cubo 38, Carver St, Sheffield Cubo 38, Carver St,, Sheffield

No need to book, simply visit us at Cubo on the last Thursday of every month for informal networking. Welcome to Sheffield Chambers 'Drop-In Networking' an informal business networking at Cubo - a monthly meeting on the last Thursday of every month. No need to book, simply come along, you can meet our Sheffield Chamber [...]

Free

Connections Count: Driving Home for Christmas with Rybrook Jaguar Landrover

Rybrook Land Rover, Huddersfield Lindley Moor Road Huddersfield HD3 3TD Rybrook Land Rover, Huddersfield Lindley Moor Road, Huddersfield

About this event Join us for this Connections Count: Driving Home for Christmas, showcasing a members premises and highlighting what the business does. A chance for those in Mid Yorkshire to interact with each other and enjoy refreshments whilst making new valuable connections. The event will include Speed Networking, where every delegate will get the [...]

£11.37

Sheffield Digital

46 Howard St, Sheffield City Centre, Sheffield S1 2LX How Street Cafe, 46 Howard St, Sheffield

This is a very informal meet-up over breakfast on Friday mornings, at the lovely How St Cafe. Folks usually show up around 9am and stay as long as they like - everyone is welcome. It's just a great opportunity to get together, chat about what's new, make new contacts, share ideas, eat great food and [...]

Free

South Yorkshire Christmas Quiz

The Wool Market Market Place, Market Rd, Doncaster DN1 1NG The Wool Market Market Place, Market Rd,, Doncaster

This is a Chamber Members Only Event A joint event with Barnsley & Rotherham, Doncaster and Sheffield Chamber, this friendly competition will cover a range of different topics, with a few special festive questions thrown in for good measure. Given that it’s open to members from across three different networks, it’s a great opportunity to [...]

£20

Sheffield Chamber Drop-in Coffee Morning (Christmas Special!)

Blend Kitchen Wards Exchange, 197 Ecclesall Rd,, Sheffield

Chamber Networking Thursdays! No need to book, simply visit us at Blend Kitchen on the second Thursday of every month for informal networking. Welcome to Sheffield Chambers 'Networking Thursdays' an informal business networking at Blend Kitchen - a monthly meeting on the second Thursday of every month. We hope you can join us for this [...]

Free

Barnsley and Rotherham Chamber Christmas Lunch

Wortley Hall 5 Wortley Village Sheffield, Sheffield S35 7DB United Kingdom Wortley Hall 5 Wortley Village Sheffield,, Sheffield

Why not join the Chamber in spreading the festive cheer? The Chamber will be hosting a unique Christmas Lunch. This will include our Members, Patrons, Chamber Staff and Directors. The event will be held at the stunning Wortley Hall and on arrival you will be handed a welcome drink and greeted by Chamber staff. You’ll [...]

£34

East Midlands Chamber Connect Online Networking

ONLINE

Christmas themed networking - Prize for the best hat! This event will provide a forum for SME business owners and professionals who wish to network and build business relationships. The informal, yet organised, atmosphere of this event puts everyone at ease to provide maximum benefit for all attendees. The format for the event is designed to enable [...]

Free

Sustainability Netwalking: December

Crookes Valley Park on Crookes Valley Road Crookes Valley Park on Crookes Valley Road, Sheffield

Our next Sustainability Netwalking event is on Thursday 15th December 2022. We will meet at Crookes Valley Park on Crookes Valley Road. The session will begin with us introducing ourselves in one sentence followed by walking, mixing and talking. The walk itself will last around 1 hour and finish with a coffee and more chat for those that want to stay for some deeper connecting and networking.

Free

Chamber Connect – Derbyshire Face to Face

East Mids Chamber Commerce House, Dunston Road, Chesterfield S41 8ND Commerce House, Dunston Road,, Chesterfield

Join us for our in person Chamber Connect Christmas Networking This is a brilliant opportunity to meet a diverse group of individuals and build genuine, solid relationships to benefit you and your business. The informal, yet organised, atmosphere of this event puts everyone at ease to provide maximum benefit for all attendees. Christmas jumper optional! Agenda [...]

Free

Launchpad: Grants and Funding – Online

ONLINE

This course is for anyone looking for Grant funding from Trusts, Charities and Foundations who have never looked before or if you are an old hand at this. Wendy will ensure that you have a more systematic approach to managing your grant applications and tracking your research to make life a little simpler. Grant funding [...]

Doncaster Chamber Business Networking

DS Operation Centre, Hayfield Business Park, Field Lane, Auckley, Doncaster, DN9 3FL DS Operation Centre, Hayfield Business Park, Field Lane, Auckley,, Doncaster,, United Kingdom

Doncaster Security Operations Centre (DSOC) will be hosting a big networking event in January, where attendees will have the valuable opportunity to strengthen their existing connections and forge brand-new relationships. If you are interesting in building your contacts in the region, then this is a must-do event. As an added incentive, you will get to [...]

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