Meet of MK with MKFM
The Meet of MK is MKFM radios monthly business networking event which runs on the last Thursday of each month and the style is that of ‘after work drinks’ with phenomenal live (background) music and celebration of local talent. These events are sponsored by Facilities Management Solutions and hosted by partner venues. Cute additions include live music from local talent, a branded goodie bag and list of attendees available to all who sign up. This community attracts possibly the most varied of large audiences from the range of networking events available to you, including members of the MKFM business club.
Location: Various City centre hangouts such as Hotel la Tour, PopWorld, Sul Lago and the Doubletree at MK Stadium to name a few.
Format: Arrival for a 5pm kick off, make sure you grab a photo of the attendee list on the welcome desk, snaffle a free glass of fizz if you’re not too late to nab one and tuck into the yummy buffet which differs depending on the venue. The couple of events I’ve attended recently have been an incredible pizza spread at Unity Place, delicious BBQ at Hotel la Tour for the summer party and your typical ‘picky bits’ spread at DoubleTree. I always feel like I’ve had my moneys worth in terms of refreshments.
Jo kicks the event off with a short introduction, thanks to sponsors and invites 2 or 3 spotlight speakers to share news or updates - possibly the shortest speaker spotlights of the circuit, but it’s super refreshing by its brevity.
There’s a business card draw for some very cool prizes inc local sporting events, music events, restaurant visits etc (so make sure you drop one into the box on arrival).
Costs: Tickets are available to purchase via eventbrite and are currently on sale for £12.50 pus VAT** Tickets are free for MKFM Business Club Members.
CoHosts: The event is currently hosted by the lovely Jo Ronan, whilst co host Lia Christodoulou is taking a maternity break. She is ably assisted by her team who can always be found wielding a camera and a welcoming smile throughout the events.
Typical Attendee: MKFM attracts three camps of business folk to their events IMO; the first are ambitious growth members of their prestigious business club, the second; radio advertisers, partners and strategic alliances of notable interest, and thirdly; the peripheral ‘pay as you go’ micropreneurs- not often found co-habiting at other networking events. These first and second bracket groups have money to spend on membership subscriptions and commercials and are really doing great business in MK, many of them are faces you wont see elsewhere: The lesser spotted of all networking attendees across the city.
Upsides: Very broad in its reach, variety and attendance. A quality evening out with the perks of great food and drink, live music and a fab buzz.
Downsides: If you’re new to networking the scale of these events and the ‘hustle and bustle’ can feel a little overwhelming, especially what I’d call the ‘big bang’ events like the summer party or Christmas gathering. If it’s your first time pop along to the smaller venues and quieter months first.
Top Tip: I feel like I want this message to go out to the people who put reems of promotional paper in the goodie bag… you, yes you!
You have a phenomenal opportunity to get your brand in front of hundreds of local customers and ambassadors with an almost endless social media reach across the region- can we not do better than a business card or a leaflet? I recognise the cost challenge, but there must be something you can do -reasonably- to make your brand stand out and take advantage of the platform? My last two have gone straight in the (recycling) bin with a sad moan, with the exception of the chap from Fintrano who not only gave the most succinct pitch I’ve heard at an event but also supplied a (recycled aluminium) endless pencil and whom I have already recommended to two people as a result. #bemoreiainrowe
** prices correct at time of writing