BNI Miami-Dade Named Number One Business Networking International Franchise In The World

Feb. 9, 2011 - PRLog -- CORAL GABLES, Fla. – BNI Miami-Dade, a regional chapter of Business Networking International (BNI), has been named the “Number One Franchise in the World,” by Dr. Ivan Misner, the international organization’s Founder & Chairman. BNI Miami-Dade earned this highest distinction from the association boasting 409 franchises in 47 countries.

“This is a testament to the dedication of our individual members and speaks volumes about the power of word-of-mouth marketing, said Jeff Stay, BNI Miami-Dade’s Executive Director and Founding Member. “We have experienced 287% growth since 2005 in membership, 17 new chapters formed from 2006-2011. This is quite an achievement during a challenged economy.”

BNI Miami-Dade was launched in Coral Gables in 1998 through the vision of Stay and a few other business professionals who realized word-of-mouth marketing was the most effective way to grow their businesses. Since then, BNI Miami-Dade has flourished to 29 local chapters with more than 900 members who host weekly networking gatherings in Miami, Miami Beach, Coral Gables, Brickell, Kendall, Coconut Grove, Aventura, North Miami, Doral, Dadeland, Pinecrest, South Miami and Homestead. Directors believe the recession played a major role in the dramatic increase in BNI membership and new chapters.

“During tough times, small business owners and managers do more networking and marketing,” said Jeff Davidson, Director of Compliance. “Last year, BNI Miami-Dade passed 53,000 qualified referrals generating $40 million in member-to-member business that goes into the local economy. It helped many struggling companies win the battle against the recession.”

BNI Miami-Dade’s members represent the many of the top leaders in their respective professions and industries including those who serve as officers of other local business development organizations such as:
•   Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce Chair-elect Drew Kern is the co-founding member of BNI Miami-Dade
•   Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce Chairman Jason Loeb of Sudsies is the co-founding member of BNI Miami Beach chapter with 60+ members
•   West Kendall Business Association Chairman & Founder Frank Irrizary is a member of BNI Best of the West chapter

“We are proud of our international distinction,” said Loeb. “This means we are all working together as a community to help each other find new opportunities and drive more business to the region. When one person succeeds, we all succeed.”

Members of BNI Miami-Dade also understand the importance of giving back and have raised funds for dozens of community events and charitable organizations like Family Resource Center, Mount Sinai Hospital Foundation, ALS Recovery, Miami Lighthouse for the Blind, Big City Mountaineers, National Parkinson Foundation, and Teach for America.

For more information about BNI Miami-Dade please visit www.bnimiami.com.

ABOUT BNI
BNI Business Network Int'l (BNI) is the largest business networking organization in the world that provides a structured and supportive system of giving and receiving business. Since 1985, the organization’s philosophy has been built upon the idea of "Givers Gain®": By giving business to others, you will get business in return. The mission of BNI is to help members increase their business through an organized, positive, and professional "word-of-mouth" program that enables them to develop long-term, meaningful relationships with quality business professionals. In 2010, BNI boasted 133,971 members in 5,866 chapters around the world. Members passed 6.5 million referrals, which generated more than $2.8 billion dollars worth of business. Called the "Father of Modern Networking," Dr. Ivan Misner, the Founder & Chairman of BNI, is one of the world's leading experts in business networking and referral marketing, as well as a New York Times best-selling author. For more information visit www.bni.com.

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