BNI Net-Work(North Staffs) Chapter Meetings

We meet every Wednesday at the North Staffs Conference Centre, Hartshill Road, Stoke-on-Trent starting at 6.45am until about 8.30am.

Members start arriving at about 6.30am with a chance to chat with other chapter members and visitors until about 7.10am.

At about 7.10am, we enjoy a superb breakfast (English or Continental, other special needs catered for if advised in advance) and the more formalised part of the meeting starts.

Meetings are hosted by our Chapter Director, and follow a structured agenda as seen below.

  1. Open Networking
  2. Welcome everyone, introduce Team Leaders
  3. Purpose and Overview of BNI
  4. Networking Education
  5. Announce Business Network "Leaders" (beginning of each month)
  6. Pass business cards
  7. Welcome any new BNI members to the organisation (induct new members)
  8. Members introduce themselves and give 60-second presentation
  9. Welcome visitors to BNI and have members introduce them (visitors give 60-second presentation)
  10. Membership Coordinator's Report
  11. Membership Committee Report
  12. Treasurer announces rota of speakers for next six weeks and introduces this week's speaker(s)
  13. Speaker(s) gives 10 minute presentation
  14. Pass referrals and give testimonials
  15. Treasurer's Report
  16. Announcements and reminders
  17. Door prize draw: for members bringing visitors or referrals
  18. Close meeting
  19. Conduct new member orientation
  20. Conduct visitor orientations


Every week each member gives a one minute presentation on their business. It may seem not long, but you will be surprised how much you can say in one minute. New members can find this daunting but BNI workshops are run for new members to give the skills and confidence to deliver a really effective sixty second slot. Our more experienced members are always willing to help with advice and support too.

Every six months, each member can deliver a ten minute presentation to the meeting. It is a great way to tell everyone more about your business and an opportunity to test some new ideas through your presentation before you try it with prospective new clients. Our chapter has members from many different business sectors and experience so it is a great audience to use, and you will still get a friendly response.

Our meetings are all about meeting other local business people, just like you and sharing experiences, giving and receiving help, advice and useful tips and techniques, but most of all you will grow your business through increasing your customer base.

We aim to finish around 8.30am, but members are free to carry on with open networking until they leave for their normal work day and chase down that new customer.

Why not come along and meet us to see how things work. All you need to do is contact one of our leadership team and let us know. When you arrive one of our visitor hosts will look after you, make sure you have a drink and introduce you to members who's business will have a common link with yours.

After the meeting, we will tell you about BNI membership in a bit more detail and you can take away a special visitors pack that will give you even more information. We are always looking for new members that can provide quality product and services, but we promise you there is no pressure to join - You decide!

Does it really work?..you might ask - Yes it does, if it didn't we wouldn't be here. It is all about meeting new people and making new contacts, and lets face it, that is how business grows!