“Networking” for Weddings and Parties

Do you “network”?  I do.  All the time.  Every week, the SF Bay Area boasts dozens of events where people meet to socialize and develop good working relationships.

I try to stay abreast of all the get-togethers involving people in the special events biz.  I know about enough of these meetings to keep me busy, but I’m sure I know only a slender slice of all the local activity.

I know about professional associations (like the National Association of Catering Executives – Silicon Valley, San Francisco NACE, the International Special Event Society – Napa/Sonoma, ISES-Northern California, Meeting Professionals International); groups organized around a particular field (like South Bay Photographers & Wedding Professionals Get Together, Bay Area Wedding Network); small groups of colleagues who meet to socialize and exchange ideas (like The Fab 5); and numerous special events to celebrate Grand Openings, Launch Parties, and Open Houses.  There are more — please tell me about all the events I’m missing.

This is such an exciting time!  Just this week I attended two inaugural get-togethers in the South Bay — “The 411”, organized by Nicole Lisanne, and “South Bay Photographers & Wedding Professionals Get Together”, organized by Orbie Pullen and Andy Mark.  Recently I attended the Wish Upon A Wedding launch party at the Villa Montalvo, in Saratoga, and tonight I’m swinging by the IZZY Magazine launch party there.

I look forward to the day when Bay Area special events professionals can choose among several of these events every day they’re not already working somewhere. Wouldn’t you like that?  I think it would be a delightful, hassle-free way to stay fresh, meet new colleagues, and keep existing friendships strong.  And it looks like that day may be closer than you think.

On their website, Silicon Valley NACE is keeping a master calendar of all these Bay Area networking events.  Would you please contact us to add any we’ve missed.

Between my music and my networking, one way or another I go to a party nearly every day.  The band’s next public appearance will be this Sunday, February 28, 11am-4pm, in the annual wedding showcase at the Crowne Plaza Cabana, in Palo Alto.

Here are two photos from last Thursday.  We entertained at the Doubletree Hotel, in San Jose, for the annual banquet of the Silicon Valley Engineering Council.  These guys keep Silicon Valley growing, and we’re always glad to help celebrate their success.  Thanks for your photos, Michael Wright and DJCline .

I’m always on the lookout for our next opportunity, and if we can help you, please call us at 408-245-9120.  Visit MagnoliaJazz.com for our schedule, and catch us at a public event soon.

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Tagged as: Andy Mark, Nicole Lisanne, Orbie Pullen, Silicon Valley NACE

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