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Increase your business through a structured, positive, and supportive word of mouth program. The Millennium Chapter is a chapter of BNI International, a business and professional networking organization that allows only one person per professional classification or specialty to join a chapter. When you present your products or services at BNI, you hold a unique “seat,” and there is never a competitor in the room. Belonging to BNI is like having dozens of salespeople working for you, referring your services to the people they meet.

It’s simple because it’s based on the proven concept of “what goes around, comes around.” If I help you, you’ll help me and we will both benefit as a result. Would you like to increase your business by 20%, 30%, 50% or as much as 100%? You can see results like this! Many have. Some participants have added as many as 50 new clients in the first 2 years!!

OUR MEETINGS

  • Time: Every Tuesday at 6:45 AM sharp!  Please know, as of 3/24/20, we will be conducting our meetings virtually via an on-line portal. If you would like to attend contact Todd Cymbol @ 646 695-9464 to obtain access. 
  • Location: Hunt & Fish Club – 125 West 44th Street – Between 6th & 7th Avenue
  • Bring 40 business cards and be prepared to give your 60 second “elevator pitch.”

About BNI 11

Successful businesses depend on word of mouth advertising. It is the best and most cost-effective form of advertising possible. BNI provides a structured environment for the development and exchange of quality business referrals. It does so by providing an environment in which you develop personal relationships with dozens of other qualified business professionals. By establishing this “formal” relationship with other people, you will have the opportunity to substantially increase your business.

ABOUT THE MILLENNIUM CHAPTER

Formed in 1999, Chapter 11 was the recipient of the 2006, 2007 and 2008 Founder’s Award for being one of the top 3 revenue-generating chapters in New York City and currently (February 2020) is ranked as the #1 rated Chapter in the Manhattan Region.

Leadership Team

Todd Cymbol, President
James Lombardo, Vice President
Martyn Gallina-Jones, Secretary/Treasurer

Membership Committee

Helene Pangalos & Neha Bhalani

Visitor Hosts

David Drucker (Visitor Coordinator), Naomi Halpern, Ashley Ingwer & Toral Gathani, CPA

Educational Coordinator

All members participate in educating one another

Mentor Coordinators

Elise Langsam & Stefan Greenberg

Event Coordinator

Daniel O’Connor

Growth Coordinator

Ilan Weiser

Marketing & Roster Coordinator

Rick Biolsi

Revenue & B-day Coordinator

Natalie Kaminski

Time Coordinator & All-Around Good Guy

Dr. Keith Silverman

Chapter Webmaster

Marc Silverman

 

MEETING INFORMATION

  • Location: Hunt & Fish Club – 125 West 44th Street – Between 6th & 7th Avenue

Who We Need

BNI is a Word-of-Mouth Networking Organization that allows only one person, per profession, per chapter.   The mission of BNI is to help members increase their business through a structured, positive and professional referral marketing program that enables them to develop long-term, meaningful relationships with quality business professionals.  By joining BNI, you’ll increase your exposure to like-minded professionals, gain referrals from a global network and sharpen your networking skills with exclusive member resources.

OPEN CATEGORIES

Chapter 11 will accept applications for any profession that is not currently represented in the chapter. At this time, we are actively looking to fill the following positions:

  • Residential Real Estate Agent

  • Commercial Real Estate Leasing Agent

  • Commercial Mortgage Lender

  • Mover

  • Payroll Services

  • Search Engine Optimization

  • Public Relations

  • Business Broker

  • Business Coach

  • Events Planner

  • Florist

  • Nutritionist

  • Chiropractor

  • Personal Trainer

  • Massage Therapist

HOW TO JOIN

To apply for membership in Chapter 11, download a Membership Application Form and fill it out. The application will be processed by the membership committee and you will be contacted for a phone interview. The application process typically takes 2 to 3 weeks to complete.

FAQs

  • WHAT IS BNI?

    • A business marketing program that allows one person from each profession to join a chapter. The sole purpose of the chapter is to increase business through a structured system of giving referrals.

  • WHERE DOES BNI MEET? As of 3/24/20 we are conducting our meetings Virtually, so contact us at 646 695-9464 to participate and meet 35 Business Professionals who won’t let the Pandemic stop them from connecting with one another. 

    • In many chapters throughout the New York City area. Chapter 11, the Millennium Chapter, meets at the Hunt & Fish Club – 125 West 44th Street – Between 6th & 7th Avenue in midtown Manhattan.

  • WHEN DOES BNI MEET?

    • Every week, so that members maintain contact and exchange regular referrals. Chapter 11, the Millennium Chapter, meets every Tuesday at 7 AM.

  •  WHY VISIT (why not?) AND JOIN BNI?

    • Because “what goes around comes around!” People who GIVE business referrals GET business referrals! Visit and see BNI in action!

  • HOW DO YOU BENEFIT FROM BNI?

    • In Many Ways:
      • By allowing members the opportunity to present and promote their business to all members in a group exclusively, without competing professionals. Each profession has only one representative per chapter.
      • By an increased awareness of your profession from other networking members who will use or recommend your services once they know and trust you.
      • By substantially increasing and expanding your business through referrals.
      • By exposing your service and knowledge to businesses and success oriented people throughout the community.
      • By gaining knowledge about the other members’ professions.
      • By using a professionally designed forum to promote yourself and your business efficiently, effectively and economically.
      • By routinely meeting with other focused, motivated business professionals.

  • CAN ANYONE JOIN A CHAPTER?

    • We only take one person from each profession. So if you are a residential real estate professional and we already have one, we can refer you to another BNI chapter, or we may help you open a new chapter.

  • WHAT OCCUPATIONS BENEFIT THE MOST FROM NETWORKING?

    • It is not the occupation, it is the individual. The occupation can be anything. All professions can prosper from BNI if you take the time to learn how to target-market and teach your fellow members what you are looking for in referrals.

  • HOW MANY MEMBERS ARE IN A “TYPICAL” BNI CHAPTER?

    • A good mature BNI chapter typically has between 20 and 25 members. Some BNI chapters have as many as 45 members!

  • ARE THERE ANY OTHER EVENTS BESIDES THE WEEKLY CHAPTER MEETINGS?

    • Yes. Member Success Programs, monthly advanced training, and from time to time there are regional workshops and other educational events. Some regions have golf outings and awards banquets as well. Contact the local director for more information or check out the regional calendar on the Manhattan BNI web site.

  • ARE MEMBERS ALLOWED TO BRING VISITORS?

    • You’re encouraged to bring visitors for those occupations that are open. After the visitor has been pre-screened and joins, their profession is then closed. BNI is primarily an invitation-only organization and members only look to invite visitors who are interested in joining BNI.

  • IF ALL OF THE CURRENT CHAPTERS HAVE SOMEONE IN MY PROFESSION, WHAT DO I DO?

    • Contact the local director. You will then be given information on how to start your own chapter.

  • HOW DO YOU KNOW NEW MEMBERS ARE REPUTABLE?

    • The application asks for references, and we have a membership committee that checks them. It’s word of mouth, so before a new member comes to a meeting he or she has spoken to, or been invited by someone in the group. Everyone has to have a sponsor, or one is assigned.

  • WHAT IF A MEMBER GETS A REFERRAL AND Delivers POOR WORK?

    • We have an ethics committee and it is imperative that anyone who gives a referral and finds out it was not satisfactorily handled must report that to the membership committee, who will investigate.

  • HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO JOIN BNI?

    • The annual fee for a 1-year membership is $599, (there is a also a 1-time Application Fee of $199) and breakfast dues are $120 per month (currently they are suspended due to the Virus). The true investment in considering BNI is not money, but your time. You are expected to attend the meetings, meet and develop relationships with your fellow members outside of the meeting and this all takes a time commitment on your part. BNI is a networking organization and you are responsible to work your new network.

Visit Us

If you’re thinking of visiting, you’ll be in good company. We typically attract 5-10 visitors  per week. We promise it’ll be a fun and eye-opening way to network.

If you’d like to attend any Tuesday, please fill out the form to the right.

THE DETAILS

  • We meet every Tuesday at Hunt & Fish Club – 125 West 44th Street – Between 6th & 7th Avenue.
  • Doors open at 6:30 AM. Meeting begins at 6:45 AM and ends at 8:30 AM sharp.
  • When you walk in the restaurant, look for the Visitor Host Registration table steps from the front door to check-in and get your name badge.

WHAT TO BRING

  • Prepare a 40-second elevator pitch (65-70 words) telling us who you are; what you do; and who you are looking to meet.
  • Bring 50 business cards. You’ll be asked to pass these around the room.
  • We’re looking forward to meeting you soon!