City Breakfast Club
City Breakfast is considered a ‘premier’ networking group and absolutely attracts a different type of attendee to some of the micro business network events. I often recommend this group to entrepreneurs who are looking to connect with large organisations and business leaders in and around MK (as opposed to those from smaller SME owner managed entities). You will sometimes find the mayor, the lord lieutenant and high sheriff in attendance as well as notable city leaders and influential business personalities.
Location: City Breakfast Club (to use it’s full name) has just relocated to the YMCA on North Sixth St, CMK. Paid parking is available locally and it’s a bonus that this event is supporting a local charity. On arrival report to YMCA reception, after the initial networking we move to the larger event space.
Format: 7.30-9am is the advertised session, although I’ve rarely left on time, as conversations continue, so give yourself a buffer at the end. City Breakfast is always on the first Wednesday of the month. There’s networking with drinks on arrival before you are seated for breakfast (your choice of canteen-style-served cooked breakfast or continental help-yourself platters). The presentations kick off with a welcome introduction from Steve or Liz before the (usually 2) spotlight speakers for the session plus a short charity segment. After the speakers, a quick chance to follow up or connect before you head off. 90 minutes really does pass in a flash.
Costs: Tickets are available to purchase via eventbrite and are currently on sale for £27.80**
Hosts: The event is co-hosted by MHA Partners; Steve Freeman (Head of Automotive and Transport at MHA [Baker Tilly International]) and Liz Newell. It is sponsored by a range of big hitters including Franklins solicitors, Business MK, yellowyoyo and Metro bank, so you can be sure of attendance from them at each event. The sponsors help to fill the room and support the event.
Typical Attendee: City Breakfast have a core group of repeat attendees, a loyal group of corporate supporters who send varying representatives, and also sponsor seats for their customers and guests at their table, so it’s a nice mix. There isn’t an obvious support team, and many of the attendees are confident experienced networkers, but loiter at the coffee table for a few minutes and you’ll soon be picked up by a seasoned pro who recognises the cry for help. In my experience the session welcomes 40-60 guests at a guess.
Upsides: A really great way to hear poignant city updates and be connected to larger organisations. It’s city-centric in its content, so the speakers aren’t selling to you, they are sharing information of note and value.
A great breakfast which you can enjoy whilst listening to the speakers. Its a very passive, low stress, slower paced experience to many that I’ve covered; unless you are ‘working the room’ on arrival, you really only speak to the couple of people to your left and right at the dining table.
Downsides: Unless you ‘work the room’ on arrival, you really only speak to the couple of people to your left and right at the dining table. (is there an echo in here?) Unless I missed it, there isn’t a shared list of attendees or a WhatsApp group to enhance connectivity, but if you are a guest of a sponsor they are happy to make those introductions and share information with you, so follow up with a 1:1 perhaps.
Top Tip: Take a look at the speakers on the advertised dates and ensure they add value to your months activities or business mission; they will attract likeminded folk by the content; and that could be super powerful for you.
** prices correct at time of writing