My first networking event - 10 years ago

I have no idea where this year has gone to, but it's certainly moved at a very fast pace.

It's been a busy year for celebrations, both professionally and personally, so there's been no shortage of bottles of Champagne to pop. But I had a very pleasant surprise when Richard Winter from the IW Chamber of Commerce phoned me to say that I had been a member of the Isle of Wight Chamber of Commerce for ten years, and would I like to attend the Chamber's AGM and Lunch at the New Holmwood Hotel in Cowes. I hadn't realised, but I didn't need asking twice so I said yes, of course..

After a lovely lunch, sitting with Sue and Mike Cox, Darren Toogood, Tracy Osborn and meeting the new Chief Executive, Rob Johnson, I was presented with a 10 Year Certificate and a bottle of Prosecco - more bubbly to celebrate!

I've always enjoyed being a member of the Chamber, and in particular the networking events. The first one I went to was in Ventnor, in a small cafe absolutely packed with around 40 people, and I knew no-one. But I made friends easily, managed to overcome the fear of standing on my own whilst others around chatted, and met many business people who became very longstanding clients.

So, the winter nights are well and truly here now, as are the dark mornings, and whilst I haven't always made the early morning breakfast networking events, I've just signed up for the December event at the Royal Hotel in Ventnor, which seems fitting given there hasn't been one there for some time and it was the second networking event that I went to, ten years ago!