Business Networking Events

What happens at a business networking event?

Ours are evening events, usually running from around 5:30pm to 8pm at a local restaurant or brewery. There is no seating plan, no round-robin pitch and no obligation to stand up and present. People arrive, get a drink, and talk. Recent evenings have been held at Riverlands Brewing and Pollyanna Brewing. We have been running them since 2017.

If you have been to a referral group before, this is deliberately not that. Fox Valley Business Network is a networking group rather than a referral group: it is open-ended, and the goal is that you leave knowing a few people properly rather than collecting a stack of cards from everyone in the room.

Who comes to Aurora networking events?

A mix, and deliberately so. Business owners and founders, yes, but also consultants, sales professionals, marketers, financial and legal advisors, contractors, and people who work for a company they did not start. Attendees come from across Aurora, Elgin, St. Charles and Geneva. If you are wondering whether you would fit in, you almost certainly would.

Practical questions

Do I have to be a member to attend?

No. Most Fox Valley Business Network events are around $30 and are open to anyone, member or not. We would rather you came out and saw the group first — non-members are encouraged to attend an event before applying for membership.

Do I need to be a business owner?

No. Business owners are welcome and plenty attend, but so are consultants, sales professionals, marketers, advisors and people employed at larger firms across Aurora and the surrounding towns. The room is better when it is mixed.

Will I have to pitch or give a presentation?

No. There is no structured pitch round. Events are casual by design — the aim is conversation rather than a rotation of elevator pitches.

What does membership include?

A yearly membership covers free registration for ticketed events at all seven Chicagoland networking groups, roughly 45 to 50 events a year, along with the other member benefits listed on our membership page.

Where are the events held?

Around Aurora and the surrounding area. Recent evenings have been held at Riverlands Brewing and Pollyanna Brewing. Each upcoming event above lists its exact venue and start time.

How do I register?

Every event above links through to its Eventbrite page, where you can see the venue, the time and the ticket price, and register in a couple of minutes.