StarChapter of December: Tucson Business Networking

Tucson Business Networking was created on July 1, 2017.  A very successful start to the organization by becoming Winners of 2018 Readers' Choice Award for Best Networking Group.  Tucson Business Networking LLC connects Tucson area professionals to make them more successful. We were able to speak with Stacy Fowler founder of Tucson's fastest growing business networking association to learn more about how they've been able to reach a high level of success within their first year.

1. What is your chapter’s strategy for engaging new members in the past year?

What’s important to know is this is all about people engaging with people. I’ve been a doer for most of my career and finally decided it was time to start helping other people become the same.  It’s about the people realizing they can go out and get business if they are outgoing and engaging. And that’s at the essence of me/us going out and getting new members.

It all leads to word of mouth and continued messaging to potential contributors to Tucson Business Networking. We are all like-minded people looking for the same thing – business. It sounds simple because, well, it is.

We try to make every monthly event a comfortable experience, one where it’s at an inviting venue (something out of the ordinary yet very nice). Maybe a place some members have never been or haven’t been to in a long time. It makes them curious about the place and the new opportunities. With that, it becomes a situation where they will want to come back because they enjoyed their first visit. At least 75 percent of our first-time visitors return more than once or eventually join the group. We like those numbers.

With so many people coming and enjoying themselves they spread the word to others and it builds from there. Word of mouth is still a strong way to get people involved, especially if the attendees are having a good time. And they do.

Something must be going right. Just a couple of months ago, we won the 2018 Arizona Daily Star Readers’ Choice Award for best networking group in Tucson. Where do we go from here? Even higher, of course.

2. Tell us about a successful event/meeting you organized last year.

That would be our Christmas/Holiday party we had last December. More than 300 people attended and they had a great time. Not only was it a time to do some business but it was a time to celebrate what we had accomplished in the first few months of existence. People enjoy success and that’s what this party was about. Again, like-minded people who enjoy being together to mingle, get acquainted and, maybe, do some business down the road. We are planning the next holiday party and we are cutting the party off at 500. We expect about 700 will want to attend.

We still want some intimacy to the party, after all. It’ll still be a time to help promote one another and still get some things done.

3. The Tucson Business Networking network is extensive. How do you get ideas on how to improve membership value?

I’ve been in the networking business for 20 years and am part of 12 other networking groups. If you don’t watch and observe how others are working their network events then you’re not paying attention. I try to do that, bringing in ideas from others via feedback (from within our own group and others). All suggestions are welcome. And we undoubtedly enjoy fresh eyes to the group. They see things we might be missing.

What’s that saying? If you aren’t growing you’re staying the same? We’re still evolving into the networking group I want to eventually become.

I’ve made it inexpensive enough to where people can afford it and get their investment back very quickly. And I hear plenty of stories that they do and they do right away. It’s only $100 to join. People see great value in that. The only raffle we have is from the host venue. We don’t hold raffles or have giveaways because it takes time away from networking. They are there to meet and mingle with potential business associates. They are also there to have a drink and have appetizers, network, enjoy company and start friendships. That’s an important part of all this, too.

4. Do you have any tips/advice to share with other organizations?

The best thing I can say is have a “togetherness.” Don’t shun other people’s advice but instead embrace it. And don’t be afraid to ask for advice or suggestions to what works and what doesn’t. Again, it’s a simple concept where people are the main characters in their own success. Remember this is about people.

5. What is in store for your members next year?

Continued success and growth both in size and strength. We’re growing every month at a good pace so that’s pleasing. But I’m thinking about holding breakfast meetings with great/successful speakers. Next year my goal is to publish a Tucson Business Networking magazine featuring our members, member stories, networking in the Tucson area and much more.

6. How have been able to utilize StarChapter to run the Tucson Business Networking and reach its goals?

First, let me tell you how I arrived here. When I started Tucson Business Networking, I knew that I needed an effective online presence but with no prior experience, I didn’t know where to turn. After an unsuccessful first attempt, I realized I needed to find an experienced company to make this successful. I met someone who mentioned StarChapter – I’ve known about it – and looked into it by visiting the website. The rest is history. Now I’m part of something very special. It’s like having a third child. That’s how much I care about its success.

StarChapter is affordable and once learned, it is easy to use. The features the website has makes joining more appealing – member only forum, classifieds section and submitting a request to add an event to the community events calendar.  Also, if the member has questions about the website, I will help them and offer to do the administrative work for them. Take a look at the website and our directory: www.tucsonbusinessnetworking.com

Would you like to share the success story of your chapter with other board volunteers? We'd love to feature you! Fill out this form to let us know.

StarChapter of November: IREM Georgia

IREM Georgia serves real estate professionals who manage ALL REAL ESTATE property types, The Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM) has been an integral force in the State of Georgia since 1970. They are dedicated to delivering leading-edge networking and educational offerings for every stage of your career, evolving with their members to provide lifelong professional development opportunities.  We were able to connect with Deborah Westphal, CPM®, ARM® the Executive and School Director of IREM Georgia to share with you how they are able to continue to innovate to engage their members.

1. What was IREM Georgia‘s strategy for engaging new members in the past year?

We instituted a personal touch by reaching out to new members via phone and email to encourage them to attend events and programs. To expose our chapter to prospective members, we instituted a plus one or more strategy urging existing members to bring one or more people to a function at a reduced or no cost rate. So not only did our existing members become more engaged, it allowed us to feature our chapter and add members. We also reached out to dropped members and updated them to all the new changes and initiatives we currently have to offer and inviting them to return.

2. Tell us about a successful event/meeting you organized this year.

"MASTERING THE ART OF BUSINESS" which consisted of an option for attendees to attend a half or full day conference focusing on Being The CEO of Y-O-U and Talent Management for a Dynamic Work Environment! These seminars were approved with CE Credits through the Georgia Real Estate Commission and instructed by Sherle Brown and Dr. Debbie Phillips. One of our Special guests, Chip Watts, CPM, CCIM is the 2018 Secretary/Treasurer Nominee and a Senior Vice President of IREM. Chip shared with the attendees an overview of significant ways to build value on Real Estate and some of our up and coming IREM initiatives. To add excitement to the day, we were engaged with our Industry Partners and their annual tradeshow, designed to provide a valuable exchange between an elite group of contract service providers, the members and affiliates of the local IREM Chapter.

3. The IREM Georgia network is extensive. Does the board get ideas on how to improve membership value from other chapters?

Yes, Region IV which is composed of four Florida chapters and Georgia have met at the regional conference and the national conference. At both conferences we had breakout sessions where we discussed opportunities to enhance and expand programs, functions and events. Our RVP, Aaron Bosshardt, also led a session to extract ideas of what is working and not working at your chapters. Paul Mendel, our 2018 chapter president, addressed the attendees regarding BOMA and compared what IREM offers over BOMA. Other chapters agreed that IREM offers much more value than BOMA, yet we don’t emphasize it enough to our membership all the resources we have. The idea came out that we should have an IREM “Tool Kit” that clearly illustrates all the tools and resources we have at our fingertips. Finally, chapters shared their innovative ideas and successes. Back home, we shared what we learned with our board.

4. Do you have any tips/advice to share with other board volunteers?

Our chapter this year decided to “get personal.” Which means it is time to pick up the phone to encourage members to attend and actively participate in upcoming events and education courses. Our board (council) used less email and more phone conversations to actively engage members to help in initiatives and special projects. We emphasized that council members be more personal in working with committee chairs and even our president would reach out to committee chairs to offer help and encouragement. These personal touches demonstrates to committees that the council cares and is wanting to be there for them and appreciation is clearly evident. Committee chairs become more enthused knowing the council is there for them and helping where needed. We promote a team effort.

5. What is in store for your members next year?

2019 is the year of renewing ourselves as a Chapter with new and innovative Leaders who are guaranteed to bring their experience and enthusiasm to the Group. Our goal will be renewing our brand to engage and motivate our members by providing new Sessions of training, meetings that provide meaningful and current topics that are highly needed in our Industry as a whole. Our Leaders are ALL dedicated to support our 2019 “WE’RE ON FIRE FOR IREM” Theme for the year which will be heavily promoted by our leaders with attitudes of ownership, value, and contribution. Our leaders have shared many ideas of renewed confidence that they have what it takes to take the Georgia Chapter to the next level!

WE WILL BE ON FIRE AND WILL MAKE AN IMPACT FOR OUR CHAPTER IN 2019!  

5. How have been able to utilize StarChapter to run IREM Georgia and reach its goals? 

We have promoted the Star Chapter as “one stop shopping” for all your membership needs. We leverage the Star Chapter by promoting upcoming events, programs and educational courses with the ability to register and pay while navigating through the site. We highlight key initiatives such as the income expense data encouraging all to share data. Our Industry Partners are advertised which they appreciate which increases retention of their sponsorship. Emails are sent out on a timely basis referring members to the website (using links) for new information and details on an array of subjects. Our chapter has reached out to Headquarters regarding our chapter’s desire to have an IREM Ga smart phone app to make the membership engagement totally mobile and truly accessible anywhere at any time. Truly would be one stop shopping at your finger tips and bring us up to date with other organizations that have apps for their members.

Would you like to share the success story of your chapter with other board volunteers? We'd love to feature you! Fill out this form to let us know.