Connecting face-to-face, in real life, with our local professional network. Expanding business opportunities through LinkedIn. Starting conversations, fostering cooperations, building new relationships AND having a fantastic time together. In a pitch free, sales free environment.
Where we meet the people behind their LinkedIn profiles. Welcome to #linkedinlocal.
Here is a fantastic video captured by WildMedia, one of our amazing sponsors, that truly reflects the buzzing mood during the event.
But what is LinkedIn Local? The now global movement that started off in Coffs Harbour, Australia by Anna McAfee, quickly gained momentum. It's all based on the ideals of authenticity, respect and collaboration. With a goal to bring people together, face-to-face, to connect and foster local cooperation. You might want to read more about it in this previous post. 
The Nelson-Tasman connection When I first heard about LinkedIn Local in early 2018, through my LinkedIn network and the LinkedIn Local hosts in Auckland and Hamilton, I immediately knew I wanted to be part of it. And I knew I wanted to bring it to the Nelson-Tasman region. At that time, I just recently moved to Nelson, New Zealand, and I was looking to connect with like-minded professionals, face-to-face. Just like Anna, I had a big international network, yet I was missing the local connections. I wanted to expand my network, in a relaxed, yet professional environment where people appreciate each other, getting together, getting to know each other, and also, having a great time together. 
What I am loving about this evening is that Bea and the team did facilitate networking because actually that's something I think is missing from a lot of the networking events. Particularly in a region where we often know people but we don't know people. So actually having somebody facilitate and help us connect I think is really powerful. It's been great, I am having a fabulous time!
As a former diplomat, I was aware of the power of social interactions, and how well facilitated networking events, receptions, contributed to laying the solid foundations of future cooperations. Social networking was an essential pillar of my work. Throughout my career, I also had the opportunity to gather some of the best international practices on how to host and facilitate high standard networking events.
I wanted to put these skills into practice and bring people together in my new location. I wanted to facilitate cooperation and networking. And I wanted to create an environment where people can come together and enjoy themselves. LinkedIn Local seemed to be the perfect fit. 
So I got on board. I contacted Anna. Soon after, I linked up with my wonderful co-hosts, Wayne Densem and Gina Munro, and the rest is now history. 
This was our 4th and so far our biggest event, yes, another full house. To me, these events just reinforce the power of face-to-face connections and how much value they bring in our lives! And it's amazing to see how it's been received in our local community.
Over the years since the movement's inception, some things have changed, and some have remained. These meetups, though not sponsored, endorsed, or operated by LinkedIn, are organised by the members, and now encouraged and supported by LinkedIn. We see these events as great examples of how members can build their professional community on LinkedIn. Just loved it! Was fabulous. ~ Susa Guhl | Lead Real Estate Agent & Partner at Susa Guhl Partners
Our Theme for the event:
Expand your network! We organised a fun "speed networking" to connect with each other in a more relaxed way - while keeping the business focus. It resulted to be much more fun and engaging rather than just sharing with each other our 1 minute business pitches. :) Now we will all have a little story to remember on what our local network's first job was and what they learned from it.
We also facilitated networking through LinkedIn by showing the participants some quick and easy tips to connect and expand their network through the face to face connections they made throughout the evening. The QR code scanning was a big hit and an easy way to find each other so we can keep in touch!
Thanks to LinkedIn Local, new business connections are established every time we meet. New relationships are built between the participants. Even new job opportunities have arisen. And we can also create opportunities to give back. This time, for the newly formed Music for Life Charitable Trust. It's great to be at this LinkedIn event. It's a great array of people here, from all walks, from entrepreneurs, professionals. I think it's many people know each other, but many don't. So it's great to network, connect and swap stories.
It's a place where people appreciate people, and real connections. Sharing stories. Experiences. Cooperating. Adding value.
All leading to possibilities. Trust. And yes, referrals. Because people do business with people who they know, like and trust. 
People worth meeting | Stories worth sharing | Connection & Cooperation Meeting the people behind their LinkedIn profiles. We are blown away by the response, the feedback. Thank you all for being part of it! That’s a wrap 2019! See you in 2020!!! *** ?
A huge thank you to our lovely sponsors who made this event possible:
So appreciate you all!
Future sponsorship opportunities: If you see the incredible opportunities these events can bring for your business or organisation, and you would like to be part of it, feel free to contact us if you are interested in becoming a sponsor of our next event. We are always looking for great locals to cooperate with when it comes to a great venue with catering possibilities, or spot prizes or vouchers, photo & videography to capture these moments to be treasured and remembered for a long time. We welcome new & creative ideas to bring something special to our region and encourage local cooperation.
About Bea Pole-Bokor
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