Issue link: http://digital.nexsitepublishing.com/i/685944
NETWORKING The biggest benefit of MBA membership: the 2,800 members. The trick to networking — and the first thing you should do — is attend an event. Choose one anytime from the list at mbaks.com/events. Once you arrive and find the bar (an excellent place to meet people), use these networking tips to maximize your time. • Treat people as friends and be yourself. We're lucky to belong to this great group of friendly people! Treating networking relationships as friendships builds rapport, leading to new friends as well as new business partners. • Ask questions. People love to talk about themselves; it's human nature. Asking questions not only helps you get to know someone, it can also uncover commonalities — always helpful when looking for new opportunities. • Be engaged and don't be afraid to join in. People welcome those who walk up and join the discussion. Just wait for a natural break in the conversation and introduce yourself. • Keep eye contact and actively listen by nodding your head and asking questions. Both of these practices go a long way in building rapport and trust. • BONUS TIP: Get more helpful hints like these from associate member Erica Ridout, Brainstorms Collective, at the series of talks she's presenting during the upcoming Sales & Marketing Council events. SPONSORSHIPS MBA events offer many sponsorship opportunities. Sponsors bring the added value, credibility and expertise that are critical to an event's success. Without the help and financial support of sponsors, we wouldn't be able to offer nearly as many events and educational opportunities. Having sponsors also gives attendees the opportunity to learn about services that can help with their business. Definitely a win-win. Of course, sponsors also get plenty of benefits, including promotion in MBA publications and marketing as well as during the event. Different events have unique sponsorship Our Outstanding Events Team Those of you who know our events team know that we're dedicated to providing an amazing event experience, making sure all our events are professional, fun and beneficial to everyone. Nancy Grygorowicz-Davis, Events Manager Katrina Peterson, Events Specialist Marjorie Coke, Events Coordinator opportunities and reach different audiences. If you're interested in learning about available sponsorships, contact Levi Thomas at lthomas@mbaks.com. Whether the event is social or educational, one sure way to attract a crowd is offering a great topic. MBA events always feature industry experts and thought leaders, like Chris Mefford, president and CEO of Community Attributes, and King County Councilmember Claudia Balducci, speakers at our Economic Forecast Breakfast. We're also looking forward to hearing from Hunter Lovins at our Built Green Conference in September, as well as Counselor and Coach, Jessica Butts, who will speak at our October Professional Women in Building Conference. GROWING YOUR BUSINESS There are many ways to engage with members to grow your business, and attending an MBA event where you can interact with others face to face could be the difference between getting new business or not. People do business with people they know, like and trust. What better place to find like-minded, reliable professionals you know and can trust than at an MBA dinner, mixer or Mariners game? I hear from members all the time who say they received business from members that they met at an MBA event. As you can see, there are many reasons to attend an MBA event. How you maximize that time is up to you. Email any questions for our team at events@mbaks.com. Tips for Maximizing MBA Events 23 06.16 master builder