Across the Globe - North America
Canada
World's Biggest BNI Breakfast!

On April 25th, Executive Directors Steve and Fran Lawson hosted The World's Biggest Breakfast Meeting.

We had 380 people at the event, which was held in a large banquet hall. Every chapter in our region (Toronto North & South Central Ontario Region) attended the big breakfast that week, instead of their regular meeting.

We followed the regular weekly meeting agenda, but instead of each individual speaking, each chapter spoke. We selected a "President for the Day" - Adam Arseneau of The Marketeers Chapter. The Education Moment was given by Louise Smith of Team BNI Chapter, who spoke on the core value of Givers Gain.

The 10-minute speaker was Dr. Ivan Misner, who talked for about 10 minutes, and then did another 10 minutes of Q & A from the floor. This was done by a live video hook-up.

After the guest speaker, we presented awards for the region, in the following categories:

1. Chapter that passed the most referrals last year: BNI.com Chapter
2. Member that passed the most referrals last year: Phil Gilmore of BNI.com Chapter
3. Chapter with the most steady growth: High Achievers Chapter
4. Best Team Leader from last year: Kelly Schoenderwoord of Power Networkers Chapter
5. Best Run/Most Fun chapter: Power Networkers Chapter
6. The best chapter memory hook: Focus Networkers Chapter

Eleanor Rinne, an Ambassador for the region, was also given a special award for chairing the committee that organized the whole event.

After the close of the meeting, there was more energetic open networking, and lots of interest in the trade show booths for about another hour or so. The most amazing thing about the whole event? We started at 7:15am and finished at 8.34am-only four minutes late!

Submitted by Steve Lawson, BNI Executive Director


Canada
World's Highest BNI Chapter?

The BNI Montreal region claims the title for having one of the largest BNI chapters in the world - the West Island Team. The region now wants to know if they can also claim the record for the highest BNI meeting location. The BNI Ville-Marie Chapter meets on the 41st floor of the PVM building in Montreal.

Is there another BNI chapter that meets in a higher location?

Challengers: Please contact Kai Bjorn at kai@bnicanada.ca.

Submitted by Kai Bjorn, Regional Director, Montreal Quebec


Canada
Extra! Extra! More of BNI's Best News and Wisdom


Did you know that this is not the only SuccessNet e-newsletter? Several countries publish their own national editions of SuccessNet with educational columns, chapter brags, testimonials and upcoming events.

Check out the Canadian version of SuccessNet here.


United States
Show Me the Money!

"Show me the money" is fast becoming a mantra at the 3-month-old Wytheville Founders Chapter in southwestern Virginia. In April, Sharon Gibson, of Wytheville Office Supply/Xerox®, presented Bill Gilmer of Wordsprint with the results of his referral: a net of $22,000.

Not to be outdone, Sam Mabe of Southwest Virginia Home Inspections took the spotlight two weeks later. His referral of Dick Wilcox (Safeguard Security) to the local school system led to a $64,355 deal. He has earned the title "King of Referrals."

Chapter President Kevin Dalton, of United Country Anders Realty, said that initially the Wytheville Founders Chapter was concerned with what seemed like a "lull" in referrals. "But after our director Kimberly Christian attended a meeting last month and reminded us that specific is terrific with regards to our referral requests," states Kevin. The group now eagerly anticipates 60-second presentations each week to see who can possibly top the King!

Submitted by Wytheville Founders Chapter of BNI Southwestern Virginia


United States
Wall of Referrals

Photo courtesy of Edith Sieg, Heart of Lake County Chapter

When Rick Meckler became a member of the Heart of Lake County BNI Chapter in Grayslake, Illinois, he determined he would try to give a referral to every member of his chapter. So instead of waiting for people to ask for goods or services, he now nudges them a little. The "Meckler Wall of Referrals" is the main topic of conversation when customers and friends come to Rick's Talking Wireless storefront. Members of Rick's chapter have their cards, brochures and other pieces of marketing material on display. As an added bonus, Rick does a great job following up.

Submitted by Alana McKinney, Executive Director, BNI Marketing, LLC


United States
Hawaii Regional Director Makes a Big Splash

Great BNI news from U.S.'s 50th state: U.S. Small Business Administration honored Joan Seery, our Regional Director, as the City and County of Honolulu's Women in Small Business Champion for 2006.

All of us here in Hawaii are very proud of Joann, her Area Directors, Ambassadors, Leadership Teams and, of course, our BNI members. We are also very grateful to everyone at BNI headquarters for their leadership and continued support.

Click here to read an article featuring Joan in Hawaii Business Magazine.

Submitted by Mark Seery, Area Director, BNI Hawaii


United States
Fourth Time Still a Charm

This past May, the southern California region held their Regional Networking Event, taking advantage of the BNI Headquarters in Upland, CA. At the event, Ivan Misner gave a presentation on the "The Language of Referrals." This was our fourth Regional Networking Event in the past year, with almost 100 members present.

The events have been so successful that this October 17th and 19th, we are offering two networking presentations on the Reticular Activating System. Contact Lonie Misner-Feigerle at Lonie@bni.com for information.

Submitted by Lonie Misner-Feigerle, Senior Regional Director, BNI-Southern California