A new business networking group has been launched in Harrogate to provide business contacts and connections across the district and beyond.
1 and 3 Networking is the brainchild of local businessmen Steve Simmonds and Graeme Fountain. The networking group holds informal breakfast meetings at Oakdale Golf Club, Harrogate, on the first and third Thursday of each month and is welcoming business visitors.
Harrogate-based data specialist Steve Simmonds says: “We have set out to launch a simple networking proposition for businesses in and around Harrogate. There are no membership fees and businesses simply register online and pay £10 for each session they would like to attend. The idea is to help businesses of all sizes make new contacts at the meeting and develop business connections.”
He adds: “Graeme and I have broad experience of networking across the region. We both believe that businesses in Harrogate and the surrounding areas are under served for quality networking events. We decided to come together and do something about it. Our approach combines informality with a ‘light’ structure designed to help business get results from their networking.”
Graeme Fountain, a local business consultant, explains how the events work: “Business people who come along to 1 and 3 Networking are invited to provide an informal presentation, for a couple of minutes, on who they are and what they do as a business. They also explain how other members of the group can help them, by providing introductions to suitable clients or potential business partners. We know that local businesses want to help others thrive and this is the perfect opportunity to do that.”
He continues: “Members of the group make a commitment to do something beyond the meeting, which might be following through on making an introduction. In the following meeting members can tell us how they did. There is also a 10 minute presentation from a guest speaker, designed as an education piece for our members.”
1 and 3 Networking is a not-for-profit group and the £10 fee includes coffee and a light breakfast.
Steve Simmonds concludes: “So far, we have had a broad mix of local businesses come along to the group, from marketing agencies to business investment angels. We’re here to encourage a diverse network of businesses, so companies of all shapes and sizes are welcome to attend. Businesses who are interested in learning more can visit
www.1and3networking.com and can register online.”
Author: David Gibson
I write PR content for a broad range of clients, across media including national and regional press, trade magazines, forward features, press releases and conference packs.