Whether you’re looking to grow your business or expand your professional career, attending networking events is an easy way to do that. According to Indeed, networking is beneficial for:
- Finding inspiration
- Creating job opportunities
- Enhancing career interests
- Gathering advice and support
- Learning new skills
And more. Especially if you work from home, networking is helpful for giving you the in person interaction that you may miss by not going to an office every day. If you’re looking to find new networking events to attend in the near future, check out this list of groups to join.
Massachusetts Networking Groups
The Women’s Edge
Founded in 1997 with two chapters in Massachusetts and Florida, The Women’s Edge provides an opportunity for women to achieve personal and professional success within their businesses and communities. As shared on their website, their vision is to “enable women leaders to achieve their full potential, drive performance, inspire each other, and transform organizational culture.”
With several leadership programs, events, resources, and more, The Women’s Edge encourages women throughout the state to step into their greatness.
HeyMama
If you’re a mom in business, look no further than HeyMama, which is a networking group for women who are growing careers and families. As mentioned on their website, a HeyMama membership includes:
- Access to HeyMama Connect, their community platform
- Exclusive digital events and access to a robust on-demand library
- Local in-person as well as virtual meetups
- Tools & Resources by members, for members
- Large-scale conferences with prominent speakers
- Curated networking opportunities
- Mentorship opportunities
- Member features and shoutouts
- Access to member only visibility programs
- 1:1 office hours with their heads of community for brainstorming and support
If you’ve been seeking a group of people who “get it,” HeyMama may be a good option for you.
Chambers of Commerce
Run, don’t walk, to your local Chamber of Commerce to become a member if you’re not one already. In addition to furthering the economic development of where you live, Chambers of Commerce can help you:
- Expand your network
- Provide you with grants and resources
- Increase your visibility
And more. Chambers of Commerce are here to support your business and career in any way possible, so they’re a great resource to turn to when you’re in need.
Boston Business Women
Boston Business Women has become the largest Massachusetts networking group for female entrepreneurs. With the opportunity to attend and host events, market your business, connect with other successful women, and more, this organization brings some of the brightest women in the state together to make an impact.
BIZZY Women Social
If you’re located in the Greater Boston area, BIZZY Women Social hosts a handful of events for women who want to get more eyes on their business, form genuine connections, and feel inspired. Wanting to find a way to make networking events feel less transactional, BIZZY Women Social creates environments that allow women to make deep, long-lasting connections.
Networking Group USA
Although Networking Group USA has chapters all across the country, there are more than 25 chapters located in Massachusetts specifically, ensuring you’ll find one that works for where you live. As shared on their website, Networking Group USA focuses on flexibility, autonomy, authenticity, growth, and affordability, guaranteeing that their members will be able to grow their businesses in a capacity that works for them.
Women in Business
As a fairly new organization, Women in Business hosts events throughout Massachusetts that bring female entrepreneurs together to network, learn, and grow. After founders Sinead and Joanna noticed a tremendous amount of women struggling with confidence, marketing, finances, and all the things that come along with owning a business, they wanted to create an online space to bring in experts and resources to help women to be their best selves.
BNI Massachusetts
As another networking organization that has chapters all across the country, BNI Massachusetts has several chapters available throughout the state. Known as the world’s largest business networking organization, BNI provides these benefits to their members, as listed on their website:
- Gain new business
- Receive business education
- Improve business networking skills with positive business people
- Speak about business before an audience of positive, like-minded business people
- Develop business relationships and create a group of trusted advisors
These meetings and events are often hosted early in the morning, prior to the start of the work day, which is a great opportunity if it’s more difficult for you to attend networking events in the evenings.
Women’s Business League
Originating in Massachusetts, Women’s Business League now has chapters in more than ten different states, as well as virtual chapters. Founders Amy and Melissa started Women’s Business League after running businesses that were in full swing but still needed to reach the next level. They looked into and joined several networking groups to meet new people and grow, but they realized that these groups had too many rules, too many restrictions, and difficult scheduling that didn’t fit with their working-mom lives. Amy and Melissa created Women’s Business League to lead a networking group that would work for them as well as other women who found themselves in the same predicament.
South Shore Networking Professional Group
If you’re located on or near the South Shore, the South Shore Networking Professional Group hosts monthly events where you can meet and network with other professionals in the area. This organization also sends out newsletters with helpful business development tips, and they will be launching a podcast soon.
Finding Members for Your Massachusetts Networking Group
Pursuing Marketing Opportunities
Have you started a networking organization and would like to find ways to increase your membership? List your organization in the Massachusetts Business Network Directory to get it noticed by thousands of professionals throughout the state.
Are you a professional who enjoys networking and has become a member of other organizations not listed here that you enjoy? Please share them with us by filling out our contact form so we can notify other professionals!