SAM Networking is the best informal networking group! I only started my role at Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice last year, and I’d never networked before – so I was definitely nervous to start. I joined the SAM Networking Bradford/Leeds group and I feel like my confidence has massively grown! The group is so friendly and we all have a laugh, which makes everything much more natural and fun. I have gained some great professional relationships and friends through this group, it’s the perfect way to start my Wednesday! Sam is very welcoming, encouraging and supportive – I couldn’t recommend her/SAM Networking highly enough.
Lunch
EVERY THURSDAY | 11.15AM – 1PM
Our Lunch group is held at Cedar Court. Find the Cedar Court at Ainley Top, Lindley Moor Road, Hudderfield HD3 3RH. Literally 2 minutes from the M62, junction 24.
SAM Business Expos
My Expos are a little different to all the others.
Firstly, if it says 10am until 3pm. That’s precisely what happens. You can be safe in the knowledge that if you want to rock up at 2.30pm, then you can and we will all still be there, waiting to greet you!
Secondly, there won’t be oodles of the same types of business. Nobody wants to visit an Expo and be faced with 42 web developers or 17 solicitors, and the like. There will never be more than 2 or 3 of the same sector. Makes it interesting for everyone exhibiting and everyone visiting.
You can learn stuff too > There’ll be a bunch of seminars you can attend – keep checking back here for updates, or pop along to Eventbrite.
Networking > Make sure you allow a good few hours, as the 89 exhibitors are across 3 rooms, so you’ll need to make sure you have plenty of business cards and a lot of stamina to do lots of networking!
FREE PARKING > Thought it does get busy. The hotel staff will be available to help you find a space.
FREE BAG TO CARRY ALL YOUR MERCH > Collect this on arrival, along with a brochure explaining what’s what and where you can find everyone.
FOOD > The hotel have a restaurant on the ground floor, so if you want to make a day of it, grab a bite to eat, a coffee or something stronger, to keep you going!
FANCY A STAND TO PROMOTE YOUR BUSINESS?
Then drop me a line at your earliest convenience. Email me at sam@sam-networking.co.uk Of the 89 available, only a handful remain and this is because it’s gained a lot of followers over the last 4 years, making it the ‘go-to’ Expo in the region.
See you there, Sam!
SAM
Socials
At SAM, we’re super social and find that the better we get to know each other, the more the referrals come flying in. We have lots of get togethers throughout the year. After the Business EXPO in April, we celebrate our busy day of connecting by relaxing with a few beers.
Then the Summer party BBQ is getting bigger each year, with more and more members attending. We have a live band (a few members are in different bands), lots of yummy food and lots of refreshments! So far, the weather has been kind too!
Christmas time brings another party. All groups join forces to round off the year and enjoy a Christmas lunch, drinks, fun quizzes and awards for the best attended to name but a few!
SAM
Charity
We love to support local charities here at SAM and lots of the local ones enjoy FREE membership and visit the meetings on a regular basis. This gives them access to a massive support system and lots of business professionals to lean on and collaborate with.
Many of our members love to undertake their own fund-raising activities too for our charities. We’ve had members throw themselves out of aeroplanes, do wing walks, whilst others took part in a wheelchair race to demonstrate how tough it is to have a disability. This year, one member is undertaking the rather gruelling London marathon! Also, in the depths of Winter, a few members are sleeping rough for 24 to support the homeless.
We have many events too with our charities. Charity balls, golf days, you name it, anything goes and everyone is happy to get involved. Our last charity ball, the Monster Mash, raised over £17,500. How fabulous is that?!
Check Out Our Members
A conglomeration of extremely pleasant, local, very experienced and inspirational professionals (some start-ups too), motivating each other to do business, referring genuine potential business partners to each other through an enormous network of contacts and simply supporting one other with advice and wisdom when things can get tough.
All peppered with a little humour (who wants to attend a miserable business meeting?!) and some members just choosing to have a catch-up over a delicious breakfast/lunch and a cup of fresh coffee. Whatever works for you.
Why Businesses Love Sam Networking
Forget Me Not Child
I really hate networking! Over the years I have tried to succeed at networking, but have generally found it to be a torrid pursuit. Nobody cares about your pitch; members are only thinking of themselves. SAM Networking is different, you are made to feel welcome and part of a team right away. No forced referrals, no pressure pitches, just mates helping each other out.
Partner, Wilkinson & Partners
Lovely group of individuals who are all there to do business and pass genuine referrals to each other.
Personal Travel Consultant, Jetset NJT
What a refreshing group this is – such a lovely mix and the informal style is brilliant. Connections were formed pretty much instantly. As a total plus – Sam is hilarious and has a real passion for the group and helping people.
MINT HR
I was asked to visit SAM Networking as a guest in October 2021 by someone I knew who was a member. I hadn’t done networking before, so I didn’t know what to expect.
What a fantastic welcome I received from a great bunch of people who are all like-minded and full of enthusiasm for their businesses. I joined straight away. Two Expos, a charity ball, two barbecues, and two Christmas parties and over two years later I feel like a valued member of a very successful team. Would I join anywhere else? Would I chuff!
Dolphin Heating