The founders of the Greater Warrenton Chamber of Commerce certainly know the value of networking groups.  Business is often developed through relationships we create with other people. Networking functions provide the opportunity to expand our business particularly when we create and nurture quality relationships with like minded people.  Many businesses have found that clients or customers who come from “word of mouth” marketing are often the most valuable and enduring.

Networking groups are as interesting, dynamic and unique as the people who start them and join them.  There are many varieties such as groups which have one representative from one type of business; members from one field of endeavor such as finance, real estate or technology; young professionals groups; professional women’s groups and so forth.  Networking groups are a wonderful opportunity to reap the benefits of our growing, diverse and dynamic business community.  Your opinion is important to us -  we want to hear your ideas and feedback.  E-mail us your networking ideas and feedback to info@warrentonchamber.org.

Networking Opportunities

  • Leading Ladies (Women’s Networking Group) The Great Warrenton Chamber of Commerce invites you to a Women’s Networking Group a.k.a. “The Leading Ladies.” These meetings are held on the FIRST and THIRD Mondays monthly from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.  This is a great opportunity for local business women to network and connect!  We gather, share ideas and perhaps even inspire each other.  There are occasional guest speakers and the information can be priceless to your business.  If you are interested in speaking at this networking group, please e-mail the President, Margaret McCann, at mm@greatmeadow.org.   There is currently no fee to join the Leading Ladies.  Bring your coffee and business cards!  The Warrenton-Fauquier Visitor Center is located at 33 North Calhoun Street, Warrenton, VA  20186.  if you are coming east on Main street, turn left on Calhoun (just after Sixth).  Check out GWCC’s event calendar for upcoming speakers and topics.
  • Tuesday Morning Tipsters (Now starting at 8:30 a.m. – Sept. 2011) Are you a professional that wants to grow your business by learning how to work by referral? Learning to work by referral requires commitment to your business and fellow group members to share innovative ideas on how to define, refine and grow your database. We will be looking for ways to market ourselves strategically to increase our market share within the community and surrounding areas. This group will allow for a normal speed round of introductions as well as weekly focus topic on HOW to grow your business. We will be meeting on Tuesday mornings at 8:30 a.m. at the Visitor Center at 33 North Calhoun Street in Old Town Warrenton. Note: This group will be traditional, have a small dues requirement for marketing purposes, will have one type or category of business and meet at least 46 times per year. For more information, please contact Karen Ingram at (540) 272-5749 / karen.ingram@longandfoster.com.
  • Senior Focus Leadshare Group Are Senior Citizens a substantial portion of your client base? This networking group meets monthly and will have both a networking and educational component to the meetings. The group educates each other on how to better service the senior sector of the population and meet other businesses who service the same client base. They meet on the first Thursday of every month at 8:00 a.m. at the ReMax Regency building, 403 Holiday Drive, Warrenton.  If you are interested please contact Sarah Atkins at 540-364-2359 / sarah.atkins@edwardjones.com.
  • Leads Street Networkers The Leads Street Networkers meet from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. on Wednesdays, rotating among Long & Foster, Studio 19 Photography, and various restaurants.  Order a meal or enjoy Happy Hour.  Our focus is on (1) adding value for our existing clients by building relationships with trustworthy business partners whom we can then confidently refer when our clients need their services; and (2) the passing of quality referrals.  We accomplish these goals by getting to know one another, professionally and personally, such that our level of trust in and knowledge about each other member’s business makes it easy to refer them effectively whenever opportunities arise.  We respect our members’ time, and strive to meet within the hour.  Our members represent a diverse array of professions and personalities, all committed to working as part of the GWCC to bolster local businesses and contribute to our community. For more information about this group, contact Carol Bleyle at cbleyle@caringtransitions.net /(540) 326-6886 or contact Carol Dubinsky at carol@marctrustmortgage.com / (540) 364-6205.
  • Thursday Networking Group This is a traditional type of networking group with only one business type represented. The group meets every Thursday morning from 8-9 a.m at Ballet Academy in Warrenton. To join or for more information about this group, please contact John Marshall Cheatwood at 434-996-7924 / john@blackwelltitle.com or Marilyn Shackelford at (540) 220-1318 / m.shackelford@LNF.com.
  • Friday Networking Group This networking group meets every Friday morning from 8-9 a.m. at Ballet Academy in Warrenton. This is a traditional type of networking group with only one business type represented. This group is almost full. For more information about this group, contact Tricia Goodwin at 703-785-1017 / tgoodwin@gmmllc.com  or Michele Flores at 540-270-2024 / mchflores89@gmail.com.

INCLEMENT WEATHER: For your safety, GWCC follows the Fauquier County Public Schools closures and delays policy.  If schools are closed, the event will be cancelled.  If schools are delayed, morning networking groups are cancelled, however an  event like a luncheon, will most likely occur if the parking lot has been cleared and the sidewalks treated.

PLEASE PRE-REGISTER FOR EVENTS SO WE MAY E-MAIL YOU AN UPDATE! For questions about your specific networking group, please contact your group’s leader.  You may contact the School Closings and Delays number at (540) 422-7250or visit the Fauquier County Public Schools website.