Networking Forums

Here is a sample of the types of networking forums available in the Greater Philadelphia Region today. Updates are made monthly to this listing by the SamNova team.

BIB - Believers In Business: Primary objective is to gather a group of men and women of faith who are willing to commit to doing the very best to help their fellow members achieve their business goals and objectives through acquiring referrals for one another while understanding that God’s power is an essential component in this mission. BIB is organized by business category with only one representative allowed in a chapter. BIB has ten (10) chapters across the region. It is open to small business owners, sole entrepreneurs, pastors and more across all industries. We are also open to those in career or life transition. Cost of annual membership is $10.  

Ed Samuel facilitates the BIB chapter in Greater Kennett Square, PA on the first and third Thursday of each month from 7:15-8:30 am. Please email Ed Samuel if you are interested in attending as a guest.  For more information on BIB: https://www.bibnetwork.org/

CPENG – Career Professional Executive Networking Group: With six (6) meeting locations in the Philadelphia area each month, this non-profit group provides career transition support to those seeking to build new relationships, obtain job leads and provide support to others. Requirements to attend and join are you must be or have been in middle management with 5+ years of experience to a senior C-Level role. Come prepared with 25 copies of your 1-Pager networking brief. Meetings are held at five (5) primary locations in the area and you must RSVP to the facilitator(s) at that location prior to attending. Attendance at the first two (2) meetings are complimentary but thereafter, you will be required to join CPENG. Cost of annual membership is $52.

SamNova's Ed Samuel facilitates the CPENG Forum for Newark, DE the 4th Thursday of every month from 6-8 pm. For further information and to register, visit: https://cpengroup.wildapricot.org/

Great Careers Groups, Business Executives Networking Group (BENG). These groups merged in 2020. They provide career education, resources, support, and networking for working adults who are job seekers, self-employed, & employed. They will walk with you on your career journey whether you are in career transition for job search or want to engage in career management. Explore membership options to see the value they provide for only 13 to 16 cents a day. They are a 501(c)3 charitable nonprofit and are volunteer-based, all inclusive, diverse, and equitable. View qualifications for the BENG chapters at https://greatcareers.org/beng/ To learn more about both groups, visit: https://greatcareersphl.org.

PSG of Mercer County - The Professional Service Group of Mercer County is a community program providing networking opportunities and enrichment seminars for professionals in transition who are seeking new employment opportunities or exploring new career paths.

It is FREE and ALL ARE WELCOME to attend. Participants come from a diverse range of industry backgrounds and experience levels. PSG of Mercer County is presented in partnership with the generous support of The Princeton Public Library at 65 Witherspoon Street, Princeton NJ 08540.

https://www.psgofmercercounty.org/

The Breakfast Club NJ -  Our group was created to promote social networking, career growth and to help people in career or job transition.  Our meetings will now begin promptly at 9:30am (doors open 9am please come early to enjoy some extra networking time and get settled in. Presentation will be 930-1030am then facilitated networking 1030-1130am then meeting will conclude but you can follow up on leads in room until noon. Welcoming many new members as well! Please help us celebrate by extending invites to any one you know who is in transition.

We will be collecting $10/per attendee at door as we must pay to rent the room and also are required to have insurance to use the facility. As always, HELP US HELP YOU!

https://thebreakfastclubnj.com/

BEACON – Multiple locations and meetings. BEACON is a professional networking association of C-Level leaders from a diverse range of industries and business backgrounds who offer knowledge, connections, opportunities and resources to each other and to the region’s current and future business leaders. C-Level requirement to attend and join with a private sector salary of $150K+ and non-profit salary of $100K+. This group is close to split between those seeking employment and those who are employed. There are 25+ sub-groups that meet in the region at multiple locations. You MUST be sponsored by an existing member to attend the first meeting. First year membership fee is $380, then $255 a year thereafter. To learn more, visit: https://www.beacon4life.org/

TPNG – Technology Professionals Networking Group:  This networking forum started in 2003 as a business resource where IT professionals support one another by sharing business contacts, leads, technology resources and career information. The group meets every other month in the greater King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, area. There is no cost to join. Generally, all levels of IT professionals are encouraged to join and participate. Come prepared with 45 copies of your 1-pager networking brief. Further information about TPNG can be found on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/2397.

LVP – Lehigh Valley Professionals: Regional networking forum. In 2002, a small humble group of unemployed professionals created LVP, formerly, the Lehigh Valley Professional Peers Networking Group. LVP has grown to more than 2,000 alumni and active local members. Professionals from the greater Lehigh Valley who are seeking new jobs/careers are welcome to become part of the group. Prospective members should have a bachelor’s degree or higher or five (5) years’ experience in a role that would typically require a Bachelor's degree or higher. For additional information, visit: http://lvprofessionals.org.

FENG – Financial Executives Networking Forum: This group founded in 1991 is a US wide networking organization with chapters in most of the US. There are two (2) chapters in our region; one in Philadelphia and another based in Paoli, Pennsylvania, monthly. There is no cost to join, however, to attend and be a member you must be sponsored by an existing FENG member AND have held a C-Level or executive level finance or accounting title in your career. They also have 25+ sub groups with a specific industry focus. For further information: http://www.thefeng.org/

TENG – NJ/NY area Technical Executives Networking Group: This networking group founded in 2001 has 4500+ members and hold chapter meetings in NJ/NY area. There is no cost to join but to attend and be a member, you must be sponsored by an existing TENG member AND have held an IT oriented C-Level, executive or director role with a base salary of $150K+. The group is comprised of both those seeking employment and those who are employed. Many Philadelphia based CIOs are members of TENG.  For further information, visit: http://www.theteng.org/index.html.

JP – Joseph’s People:  Regional networking forum. JP is a non-denominational and ecumenical non-profit group that serves unemployed and underemployed people. Since 1995, they have helped more than 5,000 people to recover from job loss.  JP has 1800+ members with 12 chapters in the Philadelphia area and one in Pittsburgh. They are run entirely by volunteers and have no paid staff. All meetings and events are FREE. To learn more, visit: http://josephspeople.org.