January/February 2005
Art of Networking
Breaking NewsTsunami Relief Fund
In response to the desperate need of the peoples of South Asia during the aftermath from the tsunami, the BNI Foundation is facilitating donations to be made to the Red Cross or other appropriate agency for the relief efforts.
The BNI Foundation has set up a matching contribution program and has committed to a total contribution of up to $10,000! If you would like to participate in this program, you may make your contribution directly to the BNI Foundation, marking the memo as 'Tsunami Relief,' and we will forward that exact amount (plus the appropriate matching number) to the Red Cross or other appropriate agency.
Find out more by clicking here.
Fourth Annual BNI Masters of Networking Gala Huge Success
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| Master Networker Laurie Oseen receives congratulations from Dr. Ivan Misner & sponsors Carl Katz and Amber Noakes. | BNI members in Vancouver dress up in style for the Venetian Masquerade |
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| BNI members & guests lose the masks and get down to some serious dancing! | Ivan and Beth Misner with Darrell Ross |
Almost 400 people attended the BNI Masters of Networking Conference & Gala in Vancouver BC on October 22 & 23, 2004. On the Friday, members and guests gathered at the five star Pan Pacific Hotel for half a day of education, the highlight being the luncheon keynote address by Dr. Ivan Misner.
On Saturday night, Dr. Misner and his wife Beth were the guests of honor for the Awards Gala where BNI BC's Master Networkers received their awards and much deserved recognition "Academy Awards style".
The theme for the evening was Formal Venetian Masquerade and people went all-out on their costumes & masks. Immediately following the awards ceremony and sumptuous dinner the crowd danced into the wee hours to one of Vancouver's hottest bands, Dr. Strangelove.
The event drew the attention of the press and a local TV station had a crew at the Gala filming the festivities and interviewing Dr. Misner and Canadian National Director Don Morgan.
Kudos to the organizing committee and BNI Staff for hosting another world-class event!
Submitted by Darrell Ross, Executive Director, BNI BC
BNI Hosts 2004 International Director's Conference
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| Over 500 Directors and Members attended the International Conference. | Ivan's Angels (BNI HQ staff) having some fun at the International Conference. |
The 2004 BNI International Director's Conference has concluded and was a huge success - with 21 Different Countries being represented by 500 BNI Directors and Members! The energy and enthusiasm was remarkable as people traveled to Long Beach, California from all over the world - all to celebrate BNI's 2005 Theme - 20/20 VISION -- 20 Years, 20 Countries!
This year's International Director's Conference was held at the beautiful Hyatt Regency Long Beach from November 15th through November 20th, 2004. More than 500 participants enjoyed fantastic presentations and speakers, as well as plenty of open networking with fellow BNI peers.
Highlights of the six-day event included:
- Annual Meeting of BNI's National Directors
- Applying the Power of Personalities, by Dawn Lyons
- BNI's CEO Presentation, by Dr. Ivan Misner
- Eighteen different break-out sessions and workshops
- How to Run an Awesome BNI Training, by Andy Bounds
- Awards Program and BNI's 20th Anniversary Celebration
BNI would like to thank all the Directors, Members, and Staff Members that helped to make this year's Conference one of the biggest and best ever!
BNI Chapter Awards
Gold Club Member
Ric Walters, Westchase Chapter
Submitted by Kathleen Mathy, Executive Director BNI Houston West Region
Black Badge Winner
Pat Stanton, Rainmakers Chapter
Submitted by Kathleen Mathy, Executive Director BNI Houston West Region
Founder's Award Winners
The Founder's Award is a prestigious award given to no more than ten percent of chapters in a Region, during any given year. The award is a tabletop sign announcing a chapter's meeting at the restaurant location. The sign has a reposition-able arrow that points the way to the meeting room.
The Founder's Award is given to a chapter which is:
1. nominated by their Regional Director and
2. in the top ten percent of the country for performance relating to referrals, visitors and new members.
The following are the most recent chapters to receive Founder's Awards. To view the entire list of 2004 Founder's Award winners click here.
Canada
British Columbia Region - BNI Harbour City Business Associates Chapter
United Kingdom
Kent - St. Georges Chapter, Turnbridge Wells Chapter
Essex - Chelmsford Meadows Chapter
Northants - Collingtree Chapter
Shropshire - Shrewsbury Chapter
Southwest Midlands - Black Pear Chapter, Cheltenham Chapter
Malaysia
Johor Region - Xcellent Chapter, City Chapter
Penang Region - Achievers Chapter
Klang Valley Region – Uptown Chapter, Synergy Chapter, Millenium Chapter
United States
New Jersey
Central Region - BNI West Windsor Chapter, BNI New Brunswick Chapter
Pennsylvania
Poconos Region - BNI Stroudsburg Chapter
Kansas
Greater Kansas City Region - Overland Park I Chapter
California
San Fernando Valley East Region - Encino Chapter, Burbank Chapter
Florida
Miami Region - Kendall - Thursdays Chapter, South Miami Chapter
Illinois
Central Illinois - Peoria 3 (Synergy Group) Chapter, Galesburg Chapter, Belleville Chapter
Kentucky
Central Kentucky Region - Lexington Chapter
Maryland
Kent Island Wednesday Breakfast Chapter, Olney Thursday Breakfast Chapter
East Montana
Billings Wednesday Chapter
Missouri
Clayton West Chapter, Columbia Breakfast Chapter, St. Charles Chapter, Washington Chapter
New York
Upstate NY Region - Cliff Hangers Chapter
North Carolina
Winston-Salem Region – Goal Seekers Chapter, Gate City Chapter
Texas
Dallas/Ft. Worth Region - Golden Triangle Chapter
San Antonio Region - Bexar Business Builders Chapter
Austin Region - Referral Exchange Network Chapter
Houston West Region - West Houston Chapter
