hostingaconnect

Hosting an event

Business Canterbury’s Connect networking events are popular networking events hosted by our members. Hosting a Connect event is an excellent way to network with other Business Canterbury members on a premises of your choice and expose them to your brand. The events allow you to spend quality time building relationships with other members and be part of bringing our business community together. Options include CA5 (Connect After Five) and our new CB8 (Connect Before Eight) morning format.

Business Canterbury will MC the events, covering formalities as well as introducing you or your team to say a few words as the event host. Formalities are kept to a minimum at to allow attendees plenty of time to connect with other businesses.

Contact us to discuss hosting an event
Learn more about costs and pricing

Event information

To learn more about when and where events happen, the basic event information is detailed below. Our More information section also provides further details about available dates. *Events run to this schedule whenever possible but some exceptions may apply.

When

CB8 : 7.30am – 9.00am
CA5: 5:30pm - 7:00pm

View our 2025 dates under
More Information.

Venue

A location of your choice –
this could be your own place
or a hospitality space.

Format

Refreshments and networking
with brief speaking component/ formalities.

Pricing

From $1,750+GST.

Refer to More Information for
further details.

Benefits of Hosting a Connect event

Connect with an engaged audience of 60 – 100*
Grow brand awareness for your business
Implementation and marketing including promotion to a database of over 2,500 businesses with an event listing on the Business Canterbury website, and Eventbrite site with your logo
Learn from the best as you collaborate with the talented Business Canterbury events team to co-host your event

Opportunity to provide branded collateral and promotional material to attendees
Opportunity to run a business card draw or other activity of your choice to collect attendees contact details
Opportunity to invite up to 10 of your own clients – both members or non-members.
Learn from the best as you collaborate with the talented Business Canterbury events team to co-host your event

Roles and Responsibilities

Business Canterbury Will:

List the event on the Business Canterbury website
Promote the event using relevant Business Canterbury Channels
Manage RSVPs through Business Canterbury online booking system
Liaise with you in the lead-up to the event regarding attendees to-date and provide the host with a list of the attendees being their name and company name*
Send registration confirmations and reminders to all attendees
Provide each guest with a personalised name badge (including host company logo)
Provide advice and guidelines with regards to suitable venues, presentations, and appropriate catering
Provide you with advice on appropriate signage and advertising material
MC the event
Attend the event, to engage with your team and the attendees

The host (you) will:

Book a venue/site of your choice
Cover all costs associated with this event including venue hire, food and beverage costs and any audio-visual equipment hire
Book, and manage everything required for the event such as venue, caterer and audio-visual supplier etc
Promote the event to your own network
Provide your logo for marketing purposes
Pay the hosting fee on confirmation of the event and signing of agreement

Format

CA5

These events commence at 5:30 pm with networking and refreshments upon arrival. Around 6:00 pm, the MC from Business Canterbury will extend an invitation for a representative from your company to address the audience. It's worth noting that the speaking slot for your business representative is set at approximately 5 minutes. However, you and your team will have a lot of time to engage with the attendees during the networking period for further discussions, as they are an actively involved audience. Following the formalities, networking and refreshments will resume.

CB8

Our CB8 events start at 7:30am with networking and refreshments upon arrival. Around 8:00am, the MC from Business Canterbury will extend an invitation for a representative from your company to address the audience. It's worth noting that the speaking slot for your business representative is set at approximately 5 minutes. However, you and your team will have a lot of time to engage with the attendees during the networking period for further discussions, as they are an actively involved audience. Following the formalities, networking and refreshments will resume, this is also a great time to host tours of your business if you would like to.

Costs and pricing

Member price to host a Connect event with Business Canterbury:

$1,750.00 + GST
Plus Food and beverages*

* This cost is variable depending on number of attendees and options chosen by host.

Event Dates

Note: Our CA5s all have hosts for 2024. Please see below for the list of CA5 event dates scheduled for 2025. 

CB8 Dates

October: Friday 11 October, 2024
March: Thursday 13 March, 2025
May: Thursday 1 May, 2025
July: Thursday 10 July, 2025
September: Thursday 4 September, 2025

CA5 2025 Dates

February: Thursday 27 February, 2025
March: Thursday 20 March, 2025
April: Wednesday 16 April, 2025 (due to Easter & Anzac)
May: Thursday 22 May, 2025
June: Thursday 26 June, 2025
July: Thursday 24 July, 2025
August: Thursday 21 August, 2025
September: Thursday 25 September, 2025
October: Thursday 24 October, 2025

Terms and Conditions

The $1,750 + GST fee does not include the cost of food, beverage and any other costs associated with the event.
Hosting a Connect event is a member only benefit, and only members of Business Canterbury can attend.
Business Canterbury is unable to provide attendees email addresses and other contact details. You may collect this information from attendees at the event.
CA5 & CB8 events are held at the hosts choice of venue, not at Business Canterbury.
Marketing content must be provided, and the event confirmed at least 4 weeks prior to the event date, to allow 3-4 weeks for promotion.
Whilst Business Canterbury will promote the event, there is no guarantee of uptake by our members.
A cancellation period of 5 working days will apply if the event is cancelled by either the host or Business Canterbury due to lack of numbers. Accordingly, a fee of $500.00 plus GST will apply where Business Canterbury has undertaken work to the point of marketing the event to members and the event does not proceed.
A licensed caterer must be used if any alcohol is being served at the event.
If you would like to employ Business Canterbury to manage your event from start to finish, we can provide a quote to use our Event Management services.
There is a limit of one Connect After 5 and one Connect Before 8 event per month.

What previous hosts have said about their hosting experience

CA5 at Boxman Storage Ltd, 2023

"I highly recommend hosting a CA5 meeting with Business Canterbury. Not only will you benefit from a professional and accommodating team, but you'll also enjoy the advantage of showcasing your business in its best light. Thank you, Business Canterbury, for helping us make our CA5 networking meeting a resounding success!"

Steve BamfordBoxman Storage Ltd

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Connect Networking Events

Hosting an event

Contact us to book your CA5 or CB8 today

Event information

Benefits of Hosting a Connect event

More Information

Roles and Responsibilities

Format

Costs and pricing

Event Dates

Terms and Conditions

CA5 at Boxman Storage Ltd, 2023

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