With uncertain economic times likely to continue for the near future, businesses – large and small – are constantly looking for new business leads and potential new clients. Many experts agree that networking becomes even more important during these challenging economic times, and there is no better place to find new business partners than a business event with 800 business people in the same room
That place will be Terrace on the Park on Thursday, April 2, from 5 to 9 p.m., at the 7th Annual Top Women in Business Networking Awards Dinner presented by American Airlines and hosted by The Queens Courier and Queens Business Today.
More than 800 people are expected to attend the dinner, and dozens of companies representing all different types of businesses and industries are expected to have their products on display at the networking portion of the event prior, to the awards dinner.
“We think networking is excellent for businesses, and it’s also one of the business services that we find is most highly requested inside the business community,” said Dan Miner, Senior Vice President for the Long Island City Business Development Corporation (LICBDC), which hosts networking events on a monthly basis for its members.
Although networking is always a crucial part to running a successful business, Miner said now is even more crucial to offer these events.
“It’s very important, and during challenging economic times it’s even more important for businesses to make more contacts and meet more vendors and strategic partners,” Miner said. “It’s very important that business people do not succumb to pessimism or lethargy because of difficult times and use that as an excuse not to attend networking events.”
Neil Levin, a Vice President at Webline Designs, which has designed more than 400 web sites for all different kinds of businesses, said he networks at various events in Queens, Brooklyn, Long Island and Manhattan about twice a week.
“I like to attend networking events like business card exchanges to meet new people and have an opportunity to talk about my company for a few moments with someone and also have the chance to hear about someone else’s business,” Levin said.
After that initial meet and greet, Levin follows up with a phone call, and then sets up a meeting to speak more in depth with the new contact, and it often leads to a new business relationship.
“Networking for me is a big key to my success these days,” Levin said.
In addition to the networking opportunities at the Top Women in Business Networking Awards Dinner, The Courier will also honor New York Metro area women who demonstrate outstanding leadership within their business and local communities, and Rosanna Scotto, co-host of “Good Day New York” and part of WNYW-FOX 5 News since 1986, will be the “Top Woman of the Year.”
To learn how to become a sponsor or R.S.V.P. to the 7th Annual Top Women in Business Networking Awards Dinner presented by American Airlines, call Maria Romero at 718-224-5863, Ext 226 or email her at mromero@queenscourier.com.
