Weekly Networking Group in Gainesville, GA

I recently attended two networking meetings this group holds each Wednesday morning at 8am at the Hall County Government Center, located at 2875 Browns Bridge Rd, Gainesville, GA 30504. The meeting takes place in the 4th-floor cafeteria, a spacious room that would comfortably seat about 40 people as laid out. There are a couple of tables to leave your business cards and brochures on, and they remain after the meeting for anyone else using the lunch room to browse.

The meeting follows a familiar format:
  • Networking before the meeting begins
  • Opening remarks
  • Introductions - 30 to 40 seconds to talk about your business
  • Presentation - a 15-minute presentation by one of the members to showcase their business
  • Good Referral - everyone has another chance to speak, this time informing everyone what a good referral for them looks like
  • Closing remarks
  • Networking after the meeting ends
There are numerous businesses represented, and they limit participation to one person per industry, although I saw several categories that had more than one company in it (real estate, pressure washing). I do know that people have been asked not to return because another member perceived a conflict, whether it was real or not.

Everyone seemed friendly, and I do believe that a decent number of business referrals are generated between members of the meet up. I am usually the first one to stick my hand out and introduce myself in any setting, but especially when I notice someone new in attendance at a meeting I frequent. I was not approached and greeted first either time I attended, and neither of the meeting hosts made an effort to meet me. I know that they get busy taking care of meeting details - as they sometimes do - so I don't see this as a major shortcoming but they might be a little more friendly.

I drove about an hour each way. I probably wouldn't recommend that for the average person, but if you are in the Gainesville, Oakwood, or Flowery Branch area you should check it out.
A Sampling of the
​Businesses Represented