Are Phoenix's African American Networking Events Working for You?

Within the last two or three years, I've noticed a dramatic increase in the number of networking events geared toward African Americans and business owners who  wish to appeal to African Americans in the Phoenix area.

I think it's great to see professionals here trying to utilize these events to establish new contacts and promote their products/services. These networking socials are actually a lot of fun!

However, I wonder how effective these networking happy hours and socials have been for people here.

From an awareness standpoint, these gatherings have been great for PhxSoul.com! They've allowed me to spread the word to thousands of people who may have never heard about my Website! From a monetary standpoint, I haven't seen the "full fruits" of my labor but things are improving. I get positive feedback about PhxSoul.com from almost everyone I meet and that makes everything I do worthwhile.  

But I want PhxSoul.com readers to chime in ...

• What benefits have you experienced as a result of your participation at networking events in Phoenix?
• How do often do you attend networking events in Phoenix?
• What is your main goal when you attend networking socials?
• What are the general reactions that you receive from others when you are making your "sales pitch?"
• Do we have too many networking gatherings in the Phoenix area?
• Do you prefer to just network with African Americans or are you trying to connect with potential clients/customers of all races?
• If you have suggestions to improve the networking events, what are they?
• Have you shared your suggestions with the organizers of the networking events?
• Other feedback?

Please feel free to share your answers by clicking on the Comments link below!

Comments

[Daddy Rules]

Surely, all of us who have registered businesses in Arizona want to do business with one another and the entire business community at large, but how do we break down the walls and get inside communities that have had us locked out for decades? It seems almost impossible at times, although we try and try. Networking with other black businesses is a great idea, but to mix it with alcohol which has been a destructive force in our community is counter-productive. To drink is a individual choice, but we must go with the intent to truly come together and exchange ideas and business offerings with one another. Keeping your integrity and following up with the contacts you make seems to be the biggest problem with people at these events. Most of us know who is who in Arizona, but when they don't follow up, how can we trust that they can mentor us into become successful when their plates are full or their hands are tied as they direct us to agencies and other businesses that really do not have the will to share the resources that God entrusted them with. The human condition of most is one of selfish ambition. Competitive strife gets in the way and we scrap for menial resources. How can we overcome the inequity in a state that discriminates at the blink of an eye? Are we kidding ourselves? Who is selling and who is not? Smokescreens are everywhere! But, we want, we try and we keep wishing, even though thieves are in the marketplace and the sellouts do each other in. Will there ever be economic justice for us?