Business Networking Events

What happens at a business networking event?

Picture a relaxed couple of hours after work — typically 5:30pm to 8pm, usually in the back room of a restaurant or brewery. Nobody is called to the front, nobody works a script, and you can leave when you like. Recent evenings have been held at Empire Burgers & Brews. We have been running them since 2017.

A networking group and a referral group are different things, and Naperville Business Network is the former. There is no requirement to bring leads to a weekly tally. The measure of a good evening is a couple of conversations worth continuing.

Who comes to Naperville networking events?

A mix, and deliberately so. Business owners and founders, yes, but also consultants, sales professionals, marketers, financial and legal advisors, contractors, and people who work for a company they did not start. Attendees come from across Naperville, Aurora, Bolingbrook and Wheaton. If you are wondering whether you would fit in, you almost certainly would.

Practical questions

Do I need to be a business owner?

No. Business owners are welcome and plenty attend, but so are consultants, sales professionals, marketers, advisors and people employed at larger firms across Naperville and the surrounding towns. The room is better when it is mixed.

Will I have to pitch or give a presentation?

No. There is no structured pitch round. Events are casual by design — the aim is conversation rather than a rotation of elevator pitches.

What does membership include?

A yearly membership covers free registration for ticketed events at all seven Chicagoland networking groups, roughly 45 to 50 events a year, along with the other member benefits listed on our membership page.

Where are the events held?

Around Naperville and the surrounding area. Recent evenings have been held at Empire Burgers & Brews. Each upcoming event above lists its exact venue and start time.

How do I register?

Every event above links through to its Eventbrite page, where you can see the venue, the time and the ticket price, and register in a couple of minutes.

Is there parking at the venue?

Most of the places we use around Naperville have their own lot or easy street parking nearby. The Eventbrite listing for each event has the exact address so you can check before you head out.