December Comment

Well, what a year its been. 

Some 2300 people have attended our events, we hosted over 50 events, and introduced several new initiatives like Schmooze@Campus, the Business Lunch Club, an Artist in Residence (we'll see her artistic response very soon) and staged the very successful Canberra Region Market Place. 

We've also grown across all facets in members, subscribers and social media pals, telling us that we're doing something right!

Along the way we've assisted our members land jobs, generate tens of thousands of $ in new business, raise their company profile, lots of new leads, business referrals and new contacts, learn a wide range of professional skills and provided a unique space for collaboration and learning.

I'm also particularly proud of our support of numerous charities nominated by our members throughout the year.

We've already laid the ground work for an enhanced 2012 program (see below) to keep the momentum up for you and create many more spaces for opportunities.

We've mapped out several ways you can be part of the Schmooze experience in this issue, so please get in touch with us soon.

I'd like to thank our wonderful sponsors and event partners, in particular, Link Digital, Nvoy and the National Press Club for being long time generous supporters of us.

We say farewell and thanks to our current team of interns (including two who have gained jobs with Schmooze members as a direct result of their work with us) whose projects have successfully concluded with us. We'll read their reports in the upcoming eNews this month.

And we also wish bon voyage to Natasha Vanzetti from our members relations team whose business at Web123 has really taken off. Thank you all for your enthusiastic and professional service.

I'd like to pay tribute to my team (both past and present) in Canberra and Melbourne, their passion for the work has made working with them a joy.

Finally, my thanks to our wonderful members who make Schmooze a community, not just another network. Its the spirit and style which you participate that makes it all possible and all our work worthwhile.

Thank you.

Phillip A.Jones

Director, Schmooze

Time to Vote!

Well, that's just about a wrap for 2011, and what a vintage year its been for Schmooze!

Time for our annual poll to find out which was the most popular event this year.

Please take a second to vote for your favourite Schmooze event here.

The Year in Review Showreel

Want some Schmooze flashbacks?

We've produced a clip of images of some of the great events we've hosted this year which you can view on our YouTube channel here.

Got something going on over Summer?

This year our website attracted over 200,000 unique visits.

So if you're a member why not get some eyeballs on your events and news over summer?

We'll also keep the eNews going out (with a short break over the new year) to some 1800 people each week.

Just add your events to our website calender via the simple form on our website here.

Preview our 2012 program

We've been busy over the past month designing our program for next year. Thanks to everyone who contributed suggestions to go into the mix.

You can preview some of what's coming up next year on our website here. 

We'll be adding some new dimensions to the program and will offer lots of opportunities to learn, connect and introduce your business in a targeted and cost effective way.

We'll also be introducing a Schmooze Member of the Year Awards.

The value of our regular program in the ACT region alone will be over $2500 if you paid on a casual basis!

One thing to note is that we'll be capping our membership at 500 organisations next year to ensure we maintain our high level of personalised service. 

At our current growth we expect to reach that number around mid year- so get in touch to discuss membership now to avoid missing out!

Opportunities in 2012 with us

With a comprehensive program of professional development and networking events each month ranging from university students, young professionals, business owners and entrepreneurs Schmooze offers a very targeted means to engage your target audience.

Our program operates in Canberra, Melbourne and we plan to launch in Tasmania in 2012.

We're now taking expressions of interest for our events including for sponsors, event partners, guest bloggers and others:

• The Monthly Schmooze hosts
• Young Professional events
• Busines Essentials Workshops
• Business Lunch Club
• Schmooze@Campus
• Events on Demand hosts
• One off special events and social events and benefits for members
• Lucky Door prizes
• Member of the Year Awards
• Guest Bloggers and social media contributors
• Entertainers and musicians
• Interships
• Staff photographers

Event options range from offering a lucky door prize, to hosting an event, to partnering with us to present a Monthly Schmooze, or even being a major sponsor for one of our chapters or branches.

Contact Phillip to discuss opportunities soon!phillip@schmooze.net.au

Member Hosted Events

These events are hosted by Schmooze members, so please book and enquire with them directly.

Members can add their own events and advertise via this eNews and our website by logging into the Members Lounge and completing a simple online form.

• Canberra Institute of Technology: Communications Courses Information Sessions, Monday 5 December
• Capital Region BEC: December Networking Breakfast, Networking Breakfast, Tuesday 6 December
• Featured Charity Event: Raize the Roof Gala Charity Ball, February 4, 2012

Find out details for these events on our website calendar.

Notices and Members Offers

To access information about these and other offers and resources members just need to log into the Members Lounge on the website.

Members can also add their own notices including positions vacant, brochures, newsletters and more via a simple online form.

• Positions Vacant with Communities@Work: Isabella Plains Early Childhood Service, Professional Development Opportunity with the Inclusion Support Agency and Manager, Galilee Foster Care Program
• Worldwide accomodation discounts from Roomrates.com.au
• Schmooze members will receive a 10% reduction in the fee of any work from Two Degrees Group.
• A $200 discount offer on web packages plus free Website Starter Kit from Web123
• Your Brand Unleashed is offering 15% off our already great pricing on all our Promotional Products items.

Know Colleagues in Melbourne or Tasmania?

Help us spread the word about Schmooze as well as our members activities and opportunities.

Please tell your colleagues and friends about us and invite them to email us at info@schmooze.net.au with their location in the subject line.

We can then send them the relevant version of the eNews.