Author
Rosie Murphy
Date
20-05-2022
Company
Plus X
Location
Plus X
While the events of the last few years have changed the game in terms of virtual meetings and the improved streaming of online events, nothing quite beats the buzz of the real thing. With 95% of people agreeing that better business relationships are built through face-to-face meetings, in-person networking events are one of the best ways to broaden your networks and improve your business.
Brighton and Hove has a buzzing and engaged business community, and there are plenty of opportunities to meet and establish connections across the city and beyond. From networking walking groups to business brunches, there’s something for everyone, whether you’re an experienced founder, or a freelancer just getting started.
Check out our list to discover some of the Brighton networking events, opportunities and programmes that are available to you, and see how you can attend.
Brighton Chamber
As one of the top organisations for Brighton’s businesses, Brighton Chamber is a great place to start your networking journey. They hold a vast range of networking opportunities, including Slo-Mo networking for those who are looking for a more relaxed pace of conversation.
Their incredibly popular Netwalking group takes its members out on a local walk, where you can explore parts of the city and get out in the sunshine whilst connecting with fellow business leaders. Or, book onto one of their monthly Chamber Breakfasts to network with likeminded business professionals before the working day begins.
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BRITE Programmes at Plus X Brighton
Taking place in our Lewes Road innovation hub, BRITE offers a whole host of different programmes aimed at businesses and founders of all sizes. Programmes are created in partnership with the University of Brighton, and range from around six weeks to 12 months – making this an ideal way to build connections with leaders in the Greater Brighton area while innovating and growing your business.
It’s a great opportunity to both improve and grow your business, whilst collaborating with the Plus X community and making lasting connections with other innovators. Find out more about the BRITE programmes and see how you can sign up!
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The Thrive Effect
The Thrive Effect is a networking group aimed at female founders and women in business. It provides a supportive and friendly community where the group works to act as a sounding board, with members sharing expertise and enabling one another to reach business goals.
The Thrive Effect holds regular meetups online and in-person – view their upcoming events on Eventbrite.
The Good Business Club
The Good Business Club brings Brighton businesses together with a focus on generating positive impact and lasting change both on the planet and its people. Their membership operates on a sliding scale and they offer pay it forward options to ensure that the club is inclusive and accessible for all businesses looking to connect and grow.
Membership gives you access to their good business network and their regular events held across the city. On their website, they have a handy events calendar of networking events taking place in Brighton and beyond – including events held by the Good Business Club team, and events from their members.
We met up in the flesh tonight & it was lush!
The last @TheGoodBizClub in person event was in Feb 20 so coming back to reconnect with the #goodbusiness community was so special#networking #brighton #sdg #innovation pic.twitter.com/4DPiyApNhT
— Sara Osterholzer (@SaraOsterholzer) September 30, 2021
Sussex Chamber of Commerce
If you’re looking for expanding your reach beyond city limits, the Sussex Chamber of Commerce holds events connecting businesses across the county.
As the largest business membership organisation in Sussex, they provide plenty of networking events for members, including the Ultimate Sussex Network brunch, South East Chamber Networking, and the Sussex Chamber Business Expo. They also hold virtual events for those that aren’t able to attend in person.
The Ultimate Sussex Network.
Our first face-to-face networking event of 2022, at Tottington Manor, Henfield.
Networking with our fantastic Sussex business community and enjoying a lovely brunch.https://t.co/lmLn0vFwtM pic.twitter.com/KqVF151IX9
— Sussex Chamber (@SussexChamber) April 27, 2022
Silicon Brighton
A community-led initiative, Silicon Brighton supports and nurtures digital growth within the tech community of Brighton through events and meetup groups.
Their extensive programme of networking events targets different specialist areas of the sector, including the Brighton Data Forum and Caring for Coders, a meetup for anyone in the tech community looking to improve their health and wellness. They’ve also recently launched Diverse Sussex, an organisation that brings together Brighton’s businesses to improve the DEI within the tech industry.
We had a great time chatting all things Cloud Computing at last night’s Brighton Cloud meetup!
Big thanks to Simon Downes @thestudentroom & Lace Rogers @measurelab for hosting, and to everyone who came along 😊
Our next meetup is in May – save the date: https://t.co/IHdccvJrln pic.twitter.com/TX8wkOpcD0
— Silicon Brighton (@SiliconBrighton) March 17, 2022
Wired Sussex
Wired Sussex brings together entrepreneurs, businesses and freelancers in the digital, media and tech communities across the county. They have a wide range of initiatives and events, which is a great way to meet new people and improve your business at the same time.
Wired Sussex hosts regular meetups with their members, providing space to network, whilst sipping on a cocktail or two. They also host show and tell sessions at The Fusebox to showcase the work of their members, and regular lunch and learns.
It looks like the sun will be shining on tomorrow’s Members’ Meetup! ☀️
Join us for a cocktail on the rooftop at @mesmeristbar and catch up with others in the local digital, media, creative & tech community ✨
Grab your ticket!https://t.co/L8WohbBQmC#wiredsussex pic.twitter.com/8Vxs4i9d4r
— Wired Sussex (@WiredSussex) April 25, 2022
Connected Brighton
After launching in April 2021, Connected Brighton has grown to encompass events both for both business and personal connections.
Passionate about supporting local businesses, Connected Brighton holds events including relaxed networking brunches. Or, if you’re looking to make new friends in Brighton, why not try social activities including pub quizzes, singles nights, and wine and beer tasting?
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Plus X Innovation Hubs
Shared office spaces are a wonderful way of growing your network organically. You could be sat next to your next collaborator or meet your mentor in the kitchen. At Plus X Brighton, we not only foster collaboration between our members, but we also hold plenty of free events for members to attend and get to know one another.
We host Network + Nourish, a regular lunch bringing together members over healthy and sustaining food, yoga classes and our monthly Sunset Sessions social where we mix business and pleasure, usually on our rooftop overlooking the city.
Members can also grow their connections with business specialists in our monthly Ask the Xperts sessions – receiving complimentary business advice on fundraising, legal, leadership, branding, marketing, accounting, trade, and other areas.
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Plus X Brighton is a community built with collaboration in mind. Book your visit to see how our innovation hub can help you do your best work.
