Back to Networking

Last week I attended my first large networking event in 18 months, when the Isle of Wight Chamber of Commerce held their annual Business Expo. This event has more than fifty businesses with exhibitors showcasing a fantastic range of Island businesses and whilst I wasn't exhibiting I do attend the Chamber Breakfast in the morning, and then spend a good part of the day networking and meeting with other business owners.

The Island's business community is very supportive and I've missed being able to meet so many people through networking - not everyone enjoys face to face networking and some preferred the Zoom option, which is always fun but not quite the same. It's amazing though how different people look in real life - I've lost count how many people have said that I'm taller than they expected. Perhaps I should have heightened my desk chair!

During the course of the day, I was fortunate enough to meet Robin Crossley, a professional freelance photographer who was exhibiting at the Expo. He took this lovely portrait headshot - and what's more he offered this service for free. Many people took Robin up on his offer and consequently I'm sure that the resulting coverage of his photos being used for profile pictures and shared on LinkedIn and other social media, will have increased his own profile and drawn attention to his business. In a nutshell, that's pretty much what island businesses will do for each - it's fantastic.