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Insights and Expertise

environments tend to buy from other community other apprised of new businesses opportunities in
members and people they trust. the community.
• Professional networking groups: Attending • Tradeshows: While some people may disagree, I'm
networking meetings offered by professional a staunch believer in tradeshows because people go
organizations may seem like a big commitment, but there to network and see what is new and exciting
these networking groups, such as BNI, SBA, national in an industry. If you plan to exhibit, you'll need
association and local community chapter gatherings to have a great product and service to sell. No one
and happy hours, are a great way to meet people is looking for a generic POS system or terminal
who can introduce you to business owners. anymore. Merchants and service providers have
become more knowledgeable and sophisticated. I've
• Chambers of commerce: Meeting people at your noticed that attendance has fallen off at tradeshows
local chamber of commerce is a great way to meet lately, compared to several years ago. This may be
business owners and make yourself known in the because so many businesses are understaffed and
local business community. The U.S. Chamber of do not have time to go to these shows.
Commerce supports large and small businesses
around the country and has been a strong business Before you head out the door, keep in mind that not every
advocate for policies that help businesses grow. For part of the country is the same; what works in Peoria may
more information, visit https://www.uschamber.com/. not bring success in Cedar Rapids. As you get out and
meet more people, you'll figure out what works in your
• Networking events: Professional networking events area. And I guarantee it will be more fun than smiling and
are plentiful, and many of them are free to attend. dialing at home.
Check out Meetup groups, Eventbrite and local
listings in your community. Consider starting your Allen Kopelman, a serial entrepreneur is cofounder and CEO of
own networking group, too. I have a friend who Nationwide Payment Systems Inc. and host of B2B Vault: The Biz
joined a group of vendors, all targeting restaurants to Biz podcast. Email him at allen@npsbank.com and connect on
but offering different services. They exchanged LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/allenkopelman/ and Twitter @
leads at weekly breakfast meetings and kept each AllenKopelman

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