Houston Networking

One incredible Houston Networking opportunity this month will give everyone dreaming of breaking free from a dreaded 9 to 5 a quick inspirational boost. The new kid moves into the networking block this month, when the 1st Entrepreneur Camp sets up on August 7th at the Houston Technology Center.
The corporate types won't be out done, there is a big real estate conference and a power luncheon where they can sharpen their elevator pitch and hone the skills needed for social networking online.

Get Fired Up For Success At Houston's First Entrepreneur Camp

If you haven't seen their tweets, are stumbled upon their blog, let me fill in the blanks on the Camp concept. It's best described as an unconference. The format doesn't trash Robert's Rules, what it does instead is liberates them. Instead of the usual talking head, I speak, you listen event; the conversation flows around the room like it would at a camp fire.

It's high time local bootstrappers, home-based businesses and serial entrepreneurs had a chance to get together and create synergy and collaborate on success.

Houston Commercial Real Estate Conference

The Institute for Inner City Commercial Real Estate Development will host a Commercial Real Estate Conference, "Debunking the Myth 2009" at the University of Houston this week.

This conference is all about bringing quality commercial real estate development to the inner city. A panel of experts will cover how to spot commercial real estate trends and opportunities in the inner-city. Developers, retailers, investors, researchers and real estate professionals from across the country will be in Houston for to this informative day-long event.

Power Luncheon For Networkers

Another a great networking event for local business professionals is sponsored by InHouston. This dynamic business networking event will help you learn how to benefit from Twitter, FaceBook, LinkedIn, Myspace and other social media/networking sites.

Just when you thought that networking on Social media sites was just another fad, it broke free from the pack and is now a breeding ground for prosperous and profitable conversations. It reminds me of what happened with Rap music. It started with just a hand full of loyal followers before slowly melting into the fabric of American culture.

Make sure all of your friends get caught up on the August Houston Networking details by tweeting this, posting it on your Facebook page or just e-mail it to them.

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Houston Networking

I have a few more sources to add to the Houston networking agenda. These are some other key groups where business professional come to mix and mingle for success. I wanted to give Midtown Live readers a chance to find out about other Houston networking opportunities that might become the key to helping you to achieve more in life.

Some of the best networking groups in the city host monthly events where you can learn from some of the countries top motivational and professional speakers on relevant topics. The ideal networking events should offer a deeper value than just sales prospecting. It should provide ample time and a format to connect with other Houston business professionals.

Networking Groups In Houston

One of Houston premier business networking clubs is InHouston. Their website has a variety of local opportunities to meet with other professionals working in your industry and a list of monthly meeting going down in your neck of the woods.

Many young professionals enjoy more of a laid-back party atmosphere and NetParty provides just that. It's a combination mixer networking event that are held in Houston's hippest nightspots and "combine business networking with social fun."

SW Houston Chamber of Commerce

This 60-year old Houston networking group has committees that actively engage in areas of education, economic development, business resources, government affairs, special activities, and a wide variety of other interests.

The SW Chamber’s Leadership program is in its 15th year of providing area professionals with an overview of what is happening in the fields of criminal justice, education, quality of life, the arts, civic engagement, state and local government, health and human services, and media.

Houston Citizens Chamber of Commerce

Many African American businesses participate in the Third Tuesday's business connections of the Houston Citizens Chambers. Their power-packed business-networking events are geared toward providing a platform for small businesses networking and a chance to gain exposure. It's the perfect Houston event for customer prospecting, and the opportunity to present your products and services to small business owners in your target market.

The Business Connection is held on the third Tuesday of each month, at the Power Center, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Exhibitor booths are available.

How To Get The Most Out Of Networking

Never network only superficially. To avoid making this mistake make sure when you attend conferences and any networking group, that you don't just go around willy nilly collecting business cards without getting to know the person you are talking to first.

Make taking part in personal and group conversations, the primary goal at any Houston networking function. If you strive to have great conversations with other business professionals based on shared interests and interesting topics you stand a better chance that the other person will enjoy getting together again.
Then you can move the topic to something more substantial like how can we help each others business move to the next level.

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Networking Events in Houston-June 2009

Attending networking events in Houston is the best way to position yourself for success. When you participate in business networking remember to focus your efforts on giving first. You can increase your effectiveness if you tweak your elevator pitch to express how your business can help people solve issues related to their business, and try to develop new and sustaining relationships with other networkers.

If you're new to professional networking or to a networking group it's natural to feel a little uncomfortable at first, try asking someone from another company to attend the event with you. It'll give you an ally to talk to, but make it a point to not stay together the whole time.

If you would like a few more tips on how to solve not feeling comfortable at local networking events in Houston, take a look at these tips from a popular networking coach.

Networking Groups in Houston

If you're looking for groups that sponsor local networking opportunities, I highly recommend joining inHouston, or try finding a meetup group in the Houston area.

Houston Technology Center

Holds a monthly event that encourages informal discussion and networking among entrepreneurs, technology enthusiasts, and investors to help grow startup companies in the Houston area.

OpenCoffee Club – 3rd Thursday of the Month 8am – 10am
CoffeeGroundz (http://www.thecoffeegroundz.com)
2503 Bagby Houston Texas 77006

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Networking Events in Houston-May 2009

The international motivational speaker Lisa Nichols will speak during a local networking event in Houston this week. She's a powerful advocate of personal empowerment and a proven entrepreneur.
Business Owners, professionals and action-oriented entrepreneurs will be enlightened when she reveals the "Keys" on May 6, that she used to start a company in her living room and turn it into an international business pulling in more than two million dollars in business along the way.

You can get more details abut this event at the INHouston webspace.

InHouston Uptown Networking Mixer

The monthly networking mixer get together at The tasting Room in Uptown Park. Join InHouston on May 13, 2009, 3pm to 8pm for chance to exchange ideas, share information and develope business connections and lifetime friendships with professinals from every industry and every level of business.

UH Small Business Development Center Events


Invest some your time learning how your business can reach its full potential? Attend a UHSBDC seminar to network with other Houston business owners and learn
"6 Steps to a Better Business."

You'll get valuable tips on how to get the maximum potential out of your small business. The seminar will provide you with actionable ideas and systems to implement for quick and fast improvements in your business.


The Internet Marketing Clinic is held twice a month at the small business development center along with a host of other classes. visit sbdc.uh.edu and learn more. This clinic is a valuable learning experience and a great networking event for Houston internet marketers.

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Networking Events In Houston -April 2009

It's time again for Houston's most unique social event. The InHouston Networking Mixer.

Think of it as pay-it-forward networking or Servant Leadership. This mixer is not just different but, better than any sit down for lunch networking event.

The action gets started around 3pm at The Tasting Room in Uptown Park.


Drop in on the InHouston networking community and find even more opportunities all over the city, to hook-up with like-minded business professional.

Freelance Camp Houston

Another event you don’t want to miss is the 3rd official "Freelance Camp".

It's an incredible opportunity for Houston's freelancers, entrepreneurs, independent business owners, and everyone else to get in a little networking, share ideas, and hopefully discover new opportunities.

It's all happening in Midtown Houston, at the Houston Technology Center, 410 Pierce St. April 11th from 10 am to 4 pm. Need more info about this networking event check the freelancecamp.org website.

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Networking Events In Houston

By now, the New Year jitters should have passed and it's high time you get your mingle on by connecting with other like minded professional at a few of the cool networking events in Houston. .

Some of my favorite events in Houston involve networking.

InHouston

One group InHouston, has been twitting and texting about their March networking mixer, at the Tasting Room in Uptown Park. Their no cover, open mixer promises to explode your networking efforts.

Servant Leadership Seminar

Save a few business cards for the MBA Council of Houston's Seminar on Servant Leadership – The High Performance Link, March 6 at the University Hilton.

Their speakers will enlighten learners on "Servant Leadership". A leadership philosophy that has grown from the 70's buzz word coined by Robert Greenleaf, into a fledgling win-win organizational strategy, group mantra and personal journey for aspiring business leaders.

Houston Technology Center

If you'd like an early start, join the crew from the Houston Technology Center, March 2009, Open Coffee Club. If you're a late sleeper try dropping by their Start-up Houston Happy Hour.

Local Meetups

Maybe you prefer informal networking groups, try connecting with other community members through the local Meetup website.

That's where you'll find fellow adventurers, Buffy lovers, rock climbers and folks who are livid about art and meditation.


Networking 101

If you're new to this type of relationship building, here's what you can expect at a networking social.

They usually feature a leader or advocate to discuss issues that the group members have in common. Even at good power networking event, the atmosphere should be relaxed and conversations should flow easily and never be limited to strictly about business.

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Mom 2.0 Summit Coming To Houston

The other day I was listening to KPFT-FM Houston, my favorite radio station, and there was an interview with some of the ladies at an event in Houston, TX. to kick-off a February summit for mompreneurs.

Houston Networking Event For Moms

The Mom 2.0 Summit, February 19-21, 2009 brings media insiders, industry leaders and influential bloggers together to discuss ways to create smarter web-based marketing.
Mompreneurs, women and other business leaders can benefit from attending this summit through building relationships and engaging in meaningful dialogue with the Mom 2.0 community to grow your business, image and reputation online.

An open conversation between moms and marketers

This stellar affair is hosted by Kirtsy and OpMom. They have some of the best known bloggers and female marketers from the web, on tap to speak at this incredible meeting of business-minded women.

Another great thing about this summit is that, networking with this community is an important part of any serious online marketers strategy.

The Mom 2.0 summit harnesses the power of social media, marketers and other audiences to build profitable relationships in the current tough economic climate.

Mom 2.0 Roundtable

Their phenomenal list of speakers cover an incredible range of information-rich topics.

If you want to see a complete list of the heavy hitters appearing at the Houston event follow this link to the summit agenda, the roundtable topics and to register for the February event.


As a Houston, TX blogger I plan to participate in the summit, hopefully on a wider level than just as an attendee.

If anyone can hook me up with one of the volunteer coordinators...I'll hook you up with one of my "good as gold" faves.

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Networking Events In Houston

Indulging in idle conversation is not why people attend a networking event. If you want to maximize your contacts and prospects here's a tip on a few of the networking events in Houston, where you won't find useless chatter and some things you can do to ensure others will enjoy networking with you.

The earlybirds usually make the morning trek to the Houston Technology Center in Midtown Houston, for the Sunrise Toastmaster meeting.

Another morning networking opportunity that you shouldn't miss this month, is the Hispanic Business Magazine "Sustainable Growth in Small Business" Breakfast Networking Event.

Present like a Pro

Are you one of millions who would rather have a root canal than give a presentation in front of people. Here is a chance to sharpen your presentation skills at this meetup for business professional.

Houston Business Expo

Other networking events that deserve a place on your December calendar are, InHoustons's Professional Networking Mixer that was covered in last months blog post and later this month, come take a peak at the newly remodeled Hyatt Regency in downtown Houston and be a part of the great conversations discussing the interesting topics that will be covered, at the Houston Networking News "2008 Houston Business Expo".

Their tradeshow is an excellent place to launch a new product or for your company to get more face time with other business professionals from the greater Houston area.

Three Tips For Successful Networking

Just bare in mind that networking events offer a deeper value than just sales prospecting, connecting with other professionals. So at any event you attend, remember these three tips on things to do, from the networking pros at E-factor.

Be yourself,
Become genuinely interested in the person you're talking with
Be authentic.

Focus on creating conversations based on mutual interest and not just your personal interest, then you're get more people asking for your business card because they'll feel comfortable getting together with you again.

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The Best Networking Events In Houston

(Photo from recent inHouston event.)


If you are new to the Houston area or a experienced social networker, I've got the word on the best networking events in Houston.
I've checked-out some off-line activities where you can participate in locally held relationship marketing events that you'll want to add to your short list of things to do.

Meeting people off-line can help you make the most of the LinkedIn contacts you've developed and could be just the hook-up you need to jump-start a flat-lining career. Their online community is touted as the one platform everyone serious about networking should join and learn how to use.

One of the most popular networking events in Houston is sponsored by the crew over at inHouston. Many of them actively participate in LinkedIn. The inHouston's monthly professional business networking get togethers are held throughout the city. They're a great group to connect with online or off-line for anyone interested in being successful in relationship marketing.

Several other events where like-minded business people gather to share their experiences are hosted by the Houston Technology Center, 410 Pierce street, in Midtown Houston. I recommend the start-up Houston happy hour and sunrise Toastmaster meetings.

My hands down favorite is the UH Small Business Development Center, where you can pick-up the 411 on internet marketing from our local guru Dick Meyers. His post "One Social Network I Couldn't Work Without" pointed out LinkedIn is the one social network everyone should use.

Combining these awesome local networking events with your online social networking should get your name on the invite list of the best networking events in Houston, where you'll meet some of the finest folks on the planet.

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This Weekend In Houston-Women of Faith

Houston is the setting for one of the nation's best women's conference, "Women of Faith-Infinite Grace." It happens this weekend near Midtown Houston in the Toyota Center. What makes this gathering of women so unique, is the infinite variety of participants.
Women with families, on their own, older women and younger women seem to gravitate toward this traveling Christian networking event.

The community and conversations that begin as flickers of light, often turn into rays of hope that shine far beyond the walls of the auditoriums and stadiums where the services are held. Christian women leave these meetings rejoicing after being renewed and relaxed. They carry with them a light that will shine ever so brightly into the darkest corners of their world.

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Networking Opportunities In Houston: How to Sell More, Better, Faster, and Easier in Tough Markets

If you would like to achieve more out of life then you need to come to this year’s best networking opportunity, at Houston’s Reliant Stadium Thursday 12 June 08. It’s your chance to learn from Brian Tracy, one of the countries top motivational speakers how you can sell more, even in tough markets.

Brian Tracy is one of America's leading authorities on the development of human potential and personal effectiveness. He's a dynamic and entertaining speaker with a wonderful ability to inform and inspire audiences toward peak performance and high levels of achievement.

Tracy has had successful careers in business and is a high-level consultant to several billion-dollar-plus corporations in strategic planning and organizational development.

Now he’s offering free seminars, so everyone in Houston will have a chance to network and learn from his expertise. If you want to get your business, career or life into high gear this free seminars is for you. There will be two sessions.

Show Times & Dates:
8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.: How to Gain Clarity, Balance and Focus in Your Business and Personal Life.

1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.: How to Sell More, Better, Faster, and Easier in Tough Markets

Tickets: You must make a reservation to attend this event. To make a reservation please call 281-280-8769. Need more information visit Reliant Arena website.

[Where: One Reliant Park, Houston, TX 77054]

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Where To Find Your Dream Job in Houston, Texas

If you are still wondering "Is my dream job out there", then you won't want to miss this event!

On June 10th from noon to 5 p.m. over 120 of Houston's greatest employers will converge on the Reliant Arena for the Jobing.com Career Expo. There will be a wide range companies represented from the Texas Medical Center to local state and government agencies. This career expo is an excellent opportunity to network with some of the great employers from this area.

You’ll also be able to have a professional resume reviewers assist you, with putting together a job winning resume. Just bring your resume on a disk or jump drive; and you will have the chance to make any suggested tweaks and print out copies right on-site!

Throughout the day there will be five great workshops.

12:15 PM Effective Job Fair Techniques and What to do When you Leave
Fritz Lawson, Jobing.com

1:15 PM Top 10 Things to do to NOT get a Job
Kevin Rogers, TAPC

2:15 PM How to work with a Recruiter
Kevin Rogers, TAPC

3:15 PM How the WorkSource can WORK for you!
The Worksource,

For more about the expo and where to find that exciting dream job you want, visit the Jobing.com website and blog.

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NCAA Basketball Championship in Houston

Come and experience the thrill of "NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship" action as the University of Houston hosts the 2008 South Regional on March 28 and 30 at Reliant Stadium. The "Sweet16" will feature the Memphis Tigers vs. Michigan State Spartans and Texas Longhorns vs. Stanford Cardinal. The Regional will determine one of the four teams that will advance to the "Men's Final Four™" in San Antonio, Texas. There are still a few good seats left, for online tickets to the NCAA at Reliant Stadium, at Ballparks.com. Printable schedules for the NCAA games are available at the Houston Chronicle website or get a free Printable 2008 March Madness Schedule here.

[Where: Reliant Park, Houston]
March 28-March 30, 2008

Historic Buildings Conservation

Join the US Green Building Council, Houston Chapter for a discussion regarding the sustainable conservation of frequently forgotten resources: our existing and historic buildings

By using our these historic resources to achieve our sustainability goals we can green our cities while maintaining the character and authenticity of our city - the stories and landmarks that make Houston unique and wonderful.

Wednesday March 26, 2008 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
[Where: 111 North Post Oak Lane Houston, TX 77024]


Government Procurement Connections 2008

The nation's premier intergovernmental contracting fair, Government Procurement Connections 2008, gets underway at the George R. Brown Convention Center on Monday, March 24th from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

This event brings together purchasing and contracting representatives from various governmental sectors. Major government contractors, financial institutions and a host of other resources and agencies will be represented.

This unique coalition will provide valuable contracting information to small business enterprises in the Gulf Coast region.

Beginning Monday, March 24th, dynamic speakers will present informational workshops and seminars on a variety of topics. Other highlights include industry forums and a Ribbon Cutting and the Awards Luncheon on Tuesday March 25th. Admission is open to the public and the event is free.

Dance in Houston

Miller Outdoor Theater is the place to catch Danceology 101. The energetic presentation of the history of popular dance, from the 1920s Charleston to today’s hip hop. It’s a production of the Houston Metropolitan Dance Company. Their performances will incorporate history, math skills, and the arts into an interactive blast of energy and excitement. Show starts at 11:00 am, Wednesday, March 25. If you would like to know more about the show visit the HMDC website.

[Where:100 Concert Drive Houston, TX 77030]

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