Tucson Networking Association Media Kit

Overview
A poor economy, high gas prices and the evolution social networking sites have created the perfect storm for business networking. Now local professionals can meet other business people in their city for free and at their leisure. The Tucson Networking Association began as an organization in October 2008 by holding monthly business networking mixers in conjunction with the Doubletree Hotel of Tucson. In the ten months since the groups’ formation it has grown to 750 local business members and now moves to venues all across Tucson. With the addition of an online social network, it's members can now network and build their businesses over the computer and in the privacy of their own home. In 2009 our venues have included El Charro Cafe on Broadway and Wilmot, El Charro Cafe Ventana on Sunrise and Kolb, Old Pueblo Grill on Alvernon and Broadway and The Maverick on Tanque Verde.

In May 2009 the Tucson Networking Group llc also rolled out the Phoenix Networking Association for business professionals located in Phoenix and surrounding areas including but not limited to Scottsdale, Mesa, Chandler, Glendale, Anthem, Buckeye and Casa Grande. Our plan is to continue a steady and strategic expansion across the United States with the purpose of providing business networking events and platforms in this difficult economic time.


Contact Us
The Tucson Networking Association is a DBA that is wholly owned by the Tucson Networking Group LLC (TNG) located in Tucson, Arizona. Andrew Avella is the founding partner of TNG and can be reached by emailing Andrew@MyTucsonBiz.com, by phone at (520) 443-0667 or through the mail at 5051 N. Sabino Canyon Rd, #2139, Tucson, AZ 85750.


Membership Profile
Our members come to TNA for business networking, building their sphere of business and learning more about general business topics. Our membership base consists of small business owners, independent contractors and workers displaced by the current economic environment. Most are drawn to the network by the ability to create free advertising and web profiles, to increase their website exposure and search engine rankings and of course the opportunity to make new referral relationships with fellow members. Our Membership Guidelines restrict membership to those people located in the City of Tucson and immediate surrounding areas.


Success Stories
We have grown to over 1150 members in less than 13 months and continue to grow. While many networking organizations have been successful in coordinating monthly events, few have offered its' members the ability to network online and over the internet. This unique blend of live events and social networking provides a business model that attracts all types of business professionals. With the recent rise in gas prices some people find it difficult to drive across tow to attend an event. In general, networking events often occur immediately after work and during rush hour. Now with the online networks many of our members can be found networking online at all hours of the day and night.


For many parents the ability to attend networking events is greatly diminished due to parental responsibilities.
Dinnertime is usually the one period of the day that parents and children get to spend time together, especially in dual income households. In single parent households the need for childcare and baby-sitting services creates a large obstacle for our members to attend events as well. For a single parent to attend an evening event it would require them to spend money on childcare and entrust their children’s' safety with someone else. Now parents can accomplish most of the same networking goals in the comfort of their own home by chatting online, attending online mixers, posting blogs, posting videos and completing many other online activities


Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Does it cost an money to be a member of the Tucson Networking Association?
No, there is no cost to create a member profile on our network or attend our events! We do ask that all our members visit and become patrons at our sponsor locations. Without our sponsors we would not thrive or even exist. Our sponsor relationships are essential to our success as they provide the venues necessary for all our members to congregate. Remember that most wait staff employees make less than the minimum wage so remember to tip them appropriately.

Can I invite friends or associates to the join the network?
The network and our events are open to the professional public. Our aim is to be inclusive rather than exclusive. As long as they have a business card and are there to network professionally then we will welcome them. Some of venue sponsors provide appetizers and free food for the attendees. Please keep in mind that there is considerable cost in providing this food and the events are for business networking only.

Is the Tucson Networking Association industry specific?
We do not focus or limit our members by profession. While we strive for diversity across many professions and business types, our membership recruiting is not targeted. In the future such industry targeting may need to be more strategic but at this time our membership base is very well balanced and represents the local business community in an adequate fashion.


I belong to a Multi Level Marketing company. Can I join your network?
While we do permit MLM members to become members we reserve the right to limit the numbers of members from each organization. Specifically our Advisory Board has discussed the subject and we agree that no more than 10 representatives from each MLM company will be permitted in each city network. While we feel that many MLMs are quality companies and worthy of further consideration, it is in the best interest of the Tucson Networking Association to maintain a diverse membership base with an emphasis on traditional "brick and mortar” type businesses.


Can I recruit other TNA members to join come join my company?
Business networking is about sharing referrals and creating centers of influence, not recruiting. Our events and social networks prohibit recruiting and we encourage members to utilize recruiting tools such as our national job platform, blogging and event calendar to promote their companies. Anyone involved with spamming fellow members will be warned the first time and banned from the network upon subsequent infractions.