"Joined HBBA and instantly connected with like-minded professionals. Networking has never been so impactful!"
Bolan Montgomery
Why Join?
For more than 25 years, HBBA has created opportunities for business leaders to network with people they know, like, and trust. This experience has made us experts in the art of face-to-face business networking and has led to countless business development opportunities. By focusing on quality referrals and monitoring the level of participation from each of our members, we've developed a culture of accountability that encourages members to create a personal plan for success.
Benefits of HBBA Membership
When you join HBBA, you gain exposure to a wide variety of business professionals in your community, and that exposure leads to a number of important benefits.
Make New Connections
By joining HBBA, you gain access to a vibrant community of business professionals who are eager to connect and collaborate. With each new member that joins your HBBA chapter, you're able to forge valuable connections that can open doors to new business opportunities. In addition, HBBA membership gives you the ability to expand your network by visiting other HBBA chapters as a guest.
"HBBA transformed networking into lasting, meaningful relationships. Truly a game-changer for my business!"
Rachel Elliott
Build Lasting Relationships
HBBA offers a supportive environment where you can cultivate meaningful relationships with fellow members. Whether through our chapter meetings or other member-exclusive events, you'll have an opportunity to engage with experienced professionals who can provide guidance, support, and inspiration. With HBBA, you'll nurture long-lasting connections that go beyond business transactions.
Generate Quality Referrals
One of the most significant advantages of HBBA membership is the ability to tap into our referral network. Our members actively refer business to each other, helping you expand your customer base and increase revenue. As you build trust within the HBBA community, you'll find that the referrals you receive are high quality, leading to more fruitful partnerships and satisfied clients.
"Through HBBA, I've received top-notch referrals that have significantly boosted my business growth."
Joshua Bushmaker
"HBBA is a goldmine of expert advice. It's reshaped my business strategy for the better!"
Chele Boe
Receive Expert Advice
Stay ahead of the curve by accessing valuable industry insights and knowledge shared within HBBA. You'll benefit from educational resources, expert-led workshops, and guest speaker sessions covering a wide range of topics relevant to your professional growth. Stay informed about industry trends, best practices, and emerging opportunities, giving you a competitive edge in your field.
Enjoy Great Value
At HBBA, we understand the importance of affordable pricing. Our low annual memberships fees are designed to be accessible for professionals at various stages of their careers. We also value your time and recognize the demands of a busy schedule. HBBA membership requires only a small time commitment, allowing you to balance your professional and personal responsibilities effectively.
"At HBBA, the value is unmatched. The best investment I've made for my business journey!"
Alayna Hensel
What to Expect at a Chapter Meeting
In order to help you make the most of your first HBBA chapter meeting, you'll want to keep the following advice in mind:
Be Prepared
When attending an HBBA chapter meeting, it's important to come prepared to talk about your business. Members are genuinely interested in understanding how connections with visitors can be mutually beneficial. Take the opportunity to share your expertise, highlight what sets your business apart, and articulate the types of referrals you're seeking. Also, remember to bring an ample supply of business cards to exchange with fellow attendees, as these connections can lead to fruitful collaborations.
Meeting Format
Although each chapter has the freedom to run their meetings the way they like, there are some common elements to most chapter meetings. For instance, most chapter meetings include a segment in which members and guests briefly discuss their business and ideal referrals. Before and after meetings, networking continues as members and guests connect, engage in conversations, and schedule face-to-face follow-up meetings. This personalized interaction helps to build trust and strengthen relationships.
You're the Expert
Only one representative from each profession is allowed to join an HBBA chapter, guaranteeing a non-competitive environment. As a member, you become the sole expert in your field for your chapter. By fostering relationships with other members, you position yourself as their go-to person for the services you offer. This exclusivity enhances opportunities for collaboration and referrals, allowing you to build a strong professional network that recognizes your expertise and relies on your services.
Frequently Asked Questions
HBBA stands for Helping Businesses Build Assets. We’re a Wisconsin-based business networking association that lets members share ideas, advice, contacts, and referrals with other professionals in a structured environment.
Any professional who does business in Wisconsin and wants to grow their business through word-of-mouth marketing and referrals can join HBBA. HBBA encourages diversity, so professionals from all industries are welcome.
HBBA members have the opportunity to make new business connections, build lasting relationships, gain quality business referrals, and obtain powerful business advice from other professionals.
We recommend that you start by finding a local HBBA chapter and attending a chapter meeting as a guest. If you decide that the chapter is a good fit, you can apply for membership through our website or contact the Membership Director of the chapter you’re interested in joining to request an application.
HBBA requires an annual membership fee that varies by chapter. Some chapters may charge an additional amount in order to fund chapter-specific activities. In order to get the most accurate estimation of your specific membership costs, it’s best to check with your local chapter.
Generally, HBBA allows membership in only one chapter at a time in order to avoid conflicts of interest and encourage commitment to the specific chapter
Of course. You’re welcome to attend a chapter meeting as a guest in order to see how the group operates and find out if it’s a good fit for your business. Simply fill out this form and the Membership Director of the chapter you’re interested in joining will follow up with you to make arrangements.
Because we give each chapter the flexibility to shape their chapter meetings according to member preferences, meeting frequency and length varies from chapter to chapter. However, chapters typically meet once or twice a month for an hour to an hour and a half.
Because we give each chapter the freedom to structure their meetings in a way that best suits their business needs and interests, meetings may be organized very differently from chapter to chapter. That being said, there are some common practices, including scheduling time for members and guests to briefly introduce themselves and their businesses, as well as providing additional networking opportunities before and after each meeting.
In order to maximize the benefits of HBBA membership, we recommend that you:
- regularly attend chapter meetings and other networking events hosted by HBBA;
- actively contribute to discussions, sharing your knowledge and seeking advice from others;
- engage with fellow members to exchange ideas and establish meaningful business connections; and
- be proactive referring business to fellow members while actively seeking referrals for your own services.