Networking can be one of the best ways to put yourself and your business out there in Miami. It’s important to know where the best networking groups and events to mingle and meet local business people.
On this list i will present and review the best business networking opportunities in Miami.
Network After Work
Website: http://www.networkafterwork.com/city/miami
Price: $12 – $25
Network after work hosts monthly networking events at hip bars around Miami and Ft. Lauderdale, their prices depend on how early you purchase a ticket.
When you arrive they have different colored name tags depending on your industry so it’s easier to distinguish how relevant that person might be according to your industry or what you’re specifically looking for, saving you both time and effort.
Since these events are always hosted at bars it’s more of a ‘fun’ social networking environment than a super serious business networking event like BNI (more on those ahead).
Waffle Wednesdays by LiveNinja
Website:https://www.facebook.com/groups/LNwafflewednesdays
Price: Free
LiveNinja is a media startup located in the artistic neighborhood of Wynwood.
They have partnered with the Knight Foundation, one their early backers to create Waffle Wednesday, a weekly networking event for the tech and entrepreneurial community in Miami, it’s one of the more consistent and highly rated networking opportunities. Not to mention free waffles with different themes and flavors.
They run the events every Wednesday from 9:00am to 10:00pm and also Waffles After Work from 6:30pm to 8:00pm at their HQ’s on 120 Northwest 25th Street, Loft #301 Miami, FL 33127.
Brickell Living
Website: https://www.instagram.com/brickell_living/
Price: $0-$25
Although not a 100% networking event group, Brickell Living started as a cool instagram account featuring local businesses, aerial shots and awesome photography of the Downtown/Brickell area, they recently started doing networking events and mixers for local professionals around Miami.
Small Business Expo
Website: http://www.thesmallbusinessexpo.com/
Price: $0-$300 to attend. Inquire on their website about exhibitor rates.
The Small Business Expo only happens once a year in Miami Beach’s convention center but it is one of the largest trade shows in town, definitely worth checking out. They have different ticket prices starting at free depending if you would like to attend extra workshops or talks.
Score Miami-Dade
Website: https://miamidade.score.org/
Price: $40 in advance $50 at the door, $250 year pass.
As previously commented on another post about helpful resources for starting your business in Miami. Score Miami is an organization backed by the Small Business Administration with weekly local events, free mentorships, tools and resources to help small businesses succeed.
BNI Miami
Website: http://www.bnimiami.com/
Price: $30 as visitor, members pay $600-$700 for a 6 month membership plus $140/m for catering and venue expenses.
BNI is the largest referral organization network in the world, with about a 34 individual chapters just in Miami-Dade, each with 20-40 members.
There’s only 1 person per industry to insure there’s no conflict of interest between the members. BNI is very structured and requires weekly attendance for all their members. With it’s high prices it makes it only profitable for those with high margin businesses where 1 lead could be thousands of dollars, e.g. Lawyers, Medical Practitioners, Insurance, etc.
The Beacon Council
Website: http://www.beaconcouncil.com/
Price: $0 – $80 depending on the event.
The Beacon Council is Miami-Dade County’s official economic development partnership, The Beacon Council facilitates local, national and international business growth and expansion programs, helping companies of all sizes in diverse industries achieve their goals.
They host different monthly events, mostly panels around Miami’s economic development and engaging the public to invest in Miami.
