New Basingstoke networking group is making good connections (From Basingstoke Gazette)

Basingstoke networking group Connecting Biz is growing fast

9:04am Thursday 26th July 2012 in Business By Richard Garfield

A NEW networking group that is growing fast is set to meet at the Apollo Hotel in Basingstoke tomorrow.
Behind the free speed networking group called Connecting Biz is the station manager of Kestrel FM Sue Reynolds, who was chuffed to see a record 104 people attend its June event, held at Basingstoke Country Hotel, at Nately Scures.
And she hopes that even more people will attend this Friday’s event which runs from noon to 2.30pm.
“Word is spreading,” said Sue, who is keen to play her part in supporting local businesses.“If 100 people come and they have a good experience, then hopefully they will come back.”
Connecting Biz was initially set up late last year, covering Kestrel FM’s southern area in Peters-field. “We got about 50 people attending the meetings there, which wasn’t bad for a brand new group,” said Sue.
“And once we polished it up and made sure that it worked, we decided that it was right to come to Basingstoke – because Basingstoke is actually renowned for its business connections.”
The event, which involves other partners, including networking expert Barbara Payne, from Tadley-based Digital Design Agency, is another tool for local busi-nesses to find new business and beat the recession, according to Sue.
She said: “Businesses don’t have to pay anything and it doesn’t have to disrupt their day too much. It’s somewhere they can actually come along and talk to other business owners.”