A business networking club has begun celebrating a notable milestone with its 20th anniversary approaching.
The B4-8 club – so called because members meet over breakfast, before 08:00am – held its first meeting on 24th May 2006 and is still going strong said Andrew Carey, the Club Chairman.
“There wasn’t a grand plan to establish something that would last this long when we first started out, but here we are!” he said. “I think it’s a testament to the friendliness of the club and that we try to offer something of value to our members.”
The club meets monthly at 1857 at King’s, but called Les Cotils its home for most of its first 20 years. At each breakfast, there will be a guest speaker, who will present on a topic of business or general interest and also two club members will get their turn to present to the meeting as well.
Matt Collas of Design Agency ‘Rock and Small’ has been with the club since the beginning and is on the committee that helps run the club.
“The formula works really well with a relaxed mix of networking, coffee, presentations and a breakfast and then everyone heads off for the working day at 09.00. It’s been like that since the start and we’ve not really tinkered with it too much. We try not to make things to formal. It’s meant to be interesting and enjoyable.”
Club membership is currently at about 40 businesses ranging from sole traders to small and medium enterprises and some of Guernsey’s bigger employers as well.
In the club’s 20th year, members will be offered additional value through extra networking opportunities, (subsidised by the club), a charitable donation will be made next year and closer to the actual anniversary date, there will be a breakfast which former members will be invited to attend.