WHAT IS BOC NETWORKING?
The BOC (Breakfast of Champions) is a Chicagoland-based networking group, started in 2003, dedicated to building valuable business relationships.  The BOC meets the fourth Friday of each month at Max & Benny’s restaurant in Northbrook.

The BOC meetings are led by Larry Bloom, President of ATI Graphics, Inc., who succeeded BOC founder, Chad Coe, President of Coe Financial.  Bloom is a North Shore based entrepreneur, an active networker and dedicated connector of people.  He is also a member of the Highland Park Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, and the co-founder of the BizNetExpo event series held in 2009 and 2010.  Bloom has also taught the workshop, The Art of Branding and Marketing Your Business at The Art Center of Highland Park.

Group leader Larry Bloom opens the BOC morning meeting.

WHO ATTENDS THE BOC?
The BOC has been around for just short of a decade, and it has a number of dedicated members.  However, each meeting attracts a wide variety of business people, some long-time attendees and many newcomers.  The people that attend the BOC and find it valuable are those that can be defined as "connectors" that understand that networking is not about sales, it is about creating connections and long-term, trusted relationships.

WHAT IS THE FORMAT OF EACH MEETING?
The format of the BOC is similar to many other networking events.  There is plenty of open networking.  A full buffet breakfast is served.  The facilitator introduces the meeting and allows each attendee a chance to do a 20-30 second introduction.  Following any formalities, there is ample time to continue open networking and to schedule one-on-one meetings.

WHY IS THE BOC DIFFERENT THAN OTHER EVENTS?
The BOC is all about making good connections.  Not sales.  The people who attend each monthly meeting become advocates for each other.  Group members get to know what each other are looking for, be it referrals, resources or information.  Like other high-quality networking groups, the value comes from relationship building.

"When I started networking, the BOC was the first meeting that I attended at which the other participants were there to help me and my company, not see me as a new 'lead'," says BOC leader, Larry Bloom.

"The experience wasn't meeting somebody at the BOC on a Friday and the next Monday or Tuesday, they're calling me up, trying to close me as a customer."

IS THERE AN EXCLUSIVITY POLICY AT THE BOC?
Since the BOC is not a formal referral- or lead-generating group, there is no exclusivity policy.    Sometimes the best contact you can make is someone in your industry.

CAN I GET A LIST OF ATTENDEES AND THEIR EMAIL ADDRESSES?
No. This question is asked once or twice after each monthly BOC event. The goal of the BOC is to encourage people to connect directly with one and other and to form personal relationships, and sending a follow-up email to every person in attendance — including those whom you did not meet and exchange contact information — is contrary to the goal. Members should feel confident that after attending a BOC event, they will not receive solicitations or communications from people they did not meet. So, attend, take a few laps around the room and be sure to shake every hand and collect every business card, so your follow-up efforts will be better received and more effective.

IF I PRE-PAY WHEN REGISTERING AND THEN DO NOT ATTEND, CAN I GET A REFUND OR CARRY THE PAYMENT OVER TO ANOTHER MONTH?
No. The head count is submitted to the venue just prior the each event and the BOC is billed accordingly. It would also become a logistical nightmare to keep track of past pre-payments in order to apply them to subsequent events.

Now that you know what it's all about, if you'd like to attend the next meeting, click the link in the top banner to register today!