Networking at Regional Associations

In addition to attending local chapter events of national associations, there are many local associations that have a specific purpose within their regional market. Since I am in Southern California, I am aware of many associations that exist only in this area. I've had many people tell me about groups in their area that they have found helpful and I've tried to add them to the list. I try to keep this list current but I am aware that some of these associations have either disappeared or have changed their name or merged with another association.

The list that follows is grouped by geographic location and is focused on North America. It is grouped first by State and then by major metropolitan area. Within widely dispersed metropolitan areas, there may be additional groupings depending on the numbers of associations in the area.

Associations are listed alphabetically within their geographic locations. General networking calendars that show multiple organizations and their events are listed first within each region. If you are aware of an association that you believe is worth considering for others in transition, please contact me and I'll add them to the list.

Associations are listed as follows (click on the link to go to the associations in that area):

• California, San Francisco Bay Area
• California, Los Angeles
• California, Orange County
• California, San Diego
• Illinois, Chicago
• New York, New York City

General calendars

WorkIt - www.workit.com

WorkIt says they are the premier resource for information and networking opportunities for technology startups in the Bay area. You can sign up for a free e-mail of weekly events in your area or go to their website to view the calendar of events and to click through to the sponsoring organization for details and registration information.

Southern California: Los Angeles

Larta - www.larta.org

Larta (formerly the Los Angeles Regional Technology Alliance) is an independent, private nonprofit company that serves as a trusted advisor to Southern California's investment, startup, and technology community and helps to nurture and grow young technology companies. Larta facilitates the matching of eligible companies with the right investors, administers a California seed grant fund, conducts Larta University boot camp workshops that teach young companies how to build successful businesses, nurtures and showcases young companies to strategic investors or partners, and sponsors research studies.

Larta co-sponsors events with other regional technology organizations in Southern California in addition to organizing its own half-day Larta University boot camp workshops. Check their website to register for their boot camp workshops, to subscribe to their free newsletter, or for more information.

Los Angeles Venture Association (LAVA) - www.lava.org

The Los Angeles Venture Association is a not-for-profit informal membership organization that brings together venture capital investors and other money providers, entrepreneurs, business executives, academicians, management candidates for new ventures, and providers of professional services needed by new ventures. Monthly breakfast meetings are held the second Tuesday of every month on the west side of Los Angeles. Special interest workshops are also held at various times of the year.

LAVA sponsors the annual Investment Capital Conference for emerging growth and middle market companies each spring. The conference is the largest such event in Southern California, drawing crowds well in excess of 1,000 attendees. Events are open to non-members. Check their website for membership and meeting details.

Technology Council of Southern California (TCOSC) -- www.tcosc.org

The Technology Council of Southern California is a non-profit membership association comprised of software development organizations and other companies that provide support and services to the Southern California software industry. The association voices the concerns of the software industry in Southern California, and serves as a clearinghouse for industry information. Check their Web site for membership and monthly meeting details.

Southern California: Orange County

Orange Coast Venture Group (OCVG) - www.ocvg.net

Orange Coast Venture Group is a not-for-profit membership organization formed to bring together entrepreneurs, capital providers, and advisors. They meet ten times a year for breakfast featuring a speaker or a panel. Members and non-members can attend meetings which are typically very well attended. Check their website for details of upcoming events.

TechBiz Connection (TBC) - www.techbizconnection.org

TechBiz Connection is a non-profit professional trade association that organizes monthly events helping Southern California executives, technology professionals and entrepreneurs to more effectively network, and to learn about key technology and management trends that affect business performance. They hold monthly networking events in Irvine, CA. There is no cost to be a member but there is a nominal charge to attend the monthly events where food is provided. Check their website for details of upcoming events.

Tech Coast Venture Network (TCVN) - www.tcvn.org

The Tech Coast Venture Network is a not-for-profit membership organization formed to bring together users and providers of resources for new and emerging businesses. Such resources include public accounting, banking, intellectual property protection, funding, marketing, sales, publishing, strategic planning, administrative, sources of professional information, and government resources.

TCVN holds ten public forums per year on various topics typically in the areas of funding, presenting business plans, sources of early stage funding, and the investment outlook that are provided by panels consisting of industry experts in their fields. The forums are held in the evenings on the fourth Thursday of the month in Orange County near John Wayne airport and are open to non-members. Check their website for membership and meeting details.

Southern California: San Diego

San Diego Regional Technology Alliance - www.sdrta.org

The San Diego Regional Technology Alliance is a private/public partnership that assists San Diego's entrepreneurs and growing companies by (1) providing educational workshops, networking events, referrals, and one-on-one assistance; (2) providing companies with rapid access to capital; (3) serving as a catalyst to assist in the development of technology resources, and (4) partnering with others to conduct technology-related research projects affecting the community.

The SDRTA sponsors workshops covering entrepreneurial subjects. A periodic "eSchmooze" networking event regularly draws well over 1,000 interested participants. Check their website for information about their services, upcoming events, and the cost.

San Diego Venture Group (SDVG) www.sdvg.org

The San Diego Venture Group is a not-for-profit membership organization designed to bring together people in San Diego who are interested in new enterprises and the processes of creating them. Their mission is to provide a networking forum for entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, and advisors in an informal atmosphere where human expertise can foster new ventures. They are comprised of professionals with bright ideas to share and the practical skills to implement these ideas.

SDVG holds ten monthly meetings each year. Each meeting typically features a panel discussion by cross-industry experts on a specific entrepreneurial topic. Meetings provide a friendly atmosphere for social contacts with peers - opportunities to expand one's circle of friends and acquaintances with common interests. The monthly meetings are 7:00 - 9:00 a.m., with additional jointly sponsored sessions at other times. Check their website for membership and meeting details.

Illinois: Chicago

Executive Network Group - www.engchgo.org

The Executive Network Group of Greater Chicago, Inc. in Evanston, Illinois was started in 1991 to assist men and women executives in career transition. It focuses on middle and senior level management talent. They charge an annual membership, plus a nominal charge to attend all-day meetings. There is a strong use of resumes, so plan to have plenty available for each meeting. Check their Web site for current information on membership fees and minimum salary requirements.

Executive Resource Network - www.executiveresources.org

The Executive Resource Group is located in Elmhurst, Illinois, and has twice-a-month meetings as an informational and networking forum. Additional subgroup meetings are held each month. The subgroup meetings are designed to facilitate more intensive interaction among members. Members are expected to actively participate in the activities of the organization. Members should have held a senior level executive position with P & L responsibility for a company or a major business unit and meet a minimum salary requirement. See their website for more details.

New York: New York City

Crains New York Business.com - www.crainsnewyork.com

Sponsored by Crain Communications Inc. lists a wide range of networking events in the New York area.