Whether you’re a one person company or the leader of hundreds of people, business networking is an essential ingredient in your professional success. Luckily, there are many organizations across the country that bring business people of all types together to share ideas and contacts. Here is a list of the top five business networking organizations in the U.S.

Portrait of young woman communicating with her friends across the globe

  1. Business Networking International
    Business Networking International (BNI) is considered by many to be the most important business networking organization in the world. With over 3,700 chapters in the United States alone, BNI provides resources for hundreds of thousands of business professionals and entrepreneurs. The mission of BNI is to help its members develop long-term symbiotic relationships that prove beneficial for everyone involved.
  2. United States Association for Small Business and Entrepreneurship
    The United States Association for Small Business and Entrepreneurship (USASBE) began in 1957 under the name International Council for Small Business. According to USASBE’s website, the stated mission of the organization is “to provide the network to advance knowledge and foster business development through entrepreneurship education and research.” The group offers unique benefits to its members, including the USASBE Mentor Program that connects new entrepreneurs to seasoned business owners.
  3. American Business Women’s Association
    The American Business Women’s Association (ABWA) focuses on creating opportunities for business women to connect and create relationships. ABWA sponsors inspirational, educational, and networking events to promote and encourage its members’ business endeavors. The group regularly uses national recognition as a major motivator for the business women involved to reach higher and achieve greater success.
  4. Entrepreneurs Organization
    The Entrepreneurs Organization (EO) is dedicated to helping entrepreneurs grow their businesses by connecting them with other entrepreneurs. EO operates several chapters in the United States while maintaining a global presence that allows its members to learn from fellow business owners all around the world. Benefits of membership include admission to the group’s Healthnetwork Foundation, which provides entrepreneurs with access to the finest medical care available to them.
  5. Le Tip
    Le Tip International has been in the business of growing other people’s businesses through personal referrals for 38 years. With chapters in the United States and Canada, Le Tip hosts weekly meetings in which members learn more about the services other members offer and provide leads and referrals. Le Tip fosters loyalty among members by allowing only one representative of each profession admission to a particular chapter.
  6. Finding the right business networking organization can elevate your business skills and lead generating abilities to the next level. Communicating with and learning from other business professionals is a wonderful way to expand your business into areas you may have never imagined possible.