Networking

Speak with the most successful Chamber of Commerce members and they’ll all tell you the same thing: they all network. They attend committee meetings, breakfasts, luncheons and a variety of other events and come away with an assortment of business cards and the understanding that they’ve done their best to make new contacts.

Here are some of the best networking opportunities at the Chamber:

Regular events

INSIDE OAKLAND BREAKFASTS. Held the third Friday of every month from 8:30 to 10:00 a.m. These monthly events are free of charge to Chamber members and feature civic and business leaders who impact life and work in our city.

BUSINESS AFTER HOURS MIXERS. Held the fourth Thursday of every month from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the offices of member businesses. No charge to Chamber members.

BREAKFAST AT THE CHAMBER. Updates of Chamber activities for prospective, new and long-time members. Held the third Thursday of every month from 7:30 to 9 a.m. at the Chamber offices. Your company can sponsor Breakfast at the Chamber which includes: 10 Minute Spotlight to talk about your organization, Opportunity to network on a smaller more informal arena, Opportunity to have a more intimate and captive audience, Network with new, long-time and prospective members, Learn about issues currently being addressed by the Chamber, Gain insight and information about the Oakland business community.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FORUM. Held the second Wednesday of every month from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. Chamber members discover and discuss current issues and projects shaping the future of Oakland.

Scheduled Events

February 2009

EAST BAY WOMEN IN BUSINESS ROUNDTABLE. Bimonthly breakfasts feature excellent networking opportunities with guest speakers who discuss women’s business issues. Some 100 women attend.

March 2009

2009 MEMBERSHIP EVENT. The Chamber’s annual event brings together some 70 volunteers from the business community working to recruit members on behalf of the Chamber of Commerce.

CARNAVAL BUSINESS FAIR. This business showcase celebrates the new members and volunteers who participated in the Chamber’s annual membership event – but all members can purchase a table for a nominal fee to display their wares. It’s a chance to meet the newest members of the Chamber – as well as some of the oldest. Held at the Oakland Convention Center.

April 2009

BUSINESS LEADERS TOUR OF

CHINA

. The Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with Citslinc International, is inviting all members to participate in this nine-day trip, scheduled for April 7-15, 2009. This outstanding opportunity includes roundtrip airfare, 4- or 5-star hotel stays, three full meals each day, and deluxe tour buses in a number of

China

’s most exciting cities.

EAST BAY WOMEN IN BUSINESS ROUNDTABLE. Bimonthly breakfasts feature excellent networking opportunities with guest speakers who discuss women’s business issues. Some 100 women attend.

June 2009

ANNUAL MEETING & AWARDS LUNCHEON. Some 500 local business leaders celebrate Chamber accomplishments and recognize Chamber member businesses at this popular luncheon. The 2009 event will be the 104^th annual.

EAST BAY WOMEN IN BUSINESS ROUNDTABLE. Bimonthly breakfasts feature excellent networking opportunities with guest speakers who discuss women’s business issues. Some 100 women attend.

August 2009

EAST BAY WOMEN IN BUSINESS ROUNDTABLE. Bimonthly breakfasts feature excellent networking opportunities with guest speakers who discuss women’s business issues. Some 100 women attend.

GOLF TOURNAMENT. A fun day to play golf and do some quality networking. Includes a clinic for beginners. Held at Sequoyah Country Club in Oakland.

October 2009

EAST BAY WOMEN IN BUSINESS ROUNDTABLE. Bimonthly breakfasts feature excellent networking opportunities with guest speakers who discuss women’s business issues. Some 100 women attend.

December 2009

OAKLAND HOLIDAY PARADE. Already the largest holiday parade in California, the Comcast Oakland Holiday Parade –

America

’s Children’s Parade – is held on the first Saturday in December. It begins at 2pm on Saturday December 6, 2008 and Saturday December 5, 2009 and winds through the streets of downtown Oakland. Major sponsors in 2007 included Comcast, Kaiser Permanente, the City of Oakland, Securitas, Southwest Airlines, and Wells Fargo.

ANNUAL HOLIDAY MIXER. Held at the Claremont Resort & Spa the first week of December.

Other Chamber events, including workshops, seminars, and various other activities, also offer excellent networking opportunities. For more information on these and other events, visit our Chamber Calendar or call the Chamber at (510) 874-4800.