F.A.Q.
Here are some common questions about TableTop Networking.
Getting
Started
What is TableTop Networking?
TableTop Networking is our own special form of “speed networking”. It’s a meeting format designed to accelerate business contacts. TableTop Networking involves attendees gathering together to exchange information about their businesses, products or services. Attendees meet each other in a series of ’rounds’ during which they give an ‘elevator pitch’ in turn. At the end of the ’round’, everyone has a short amount of time to exchange business cards before we begin the next round of TableTop Networking.
Our format of networking is designed to give you the opportunity to meet and introduce yourself to 30+ business professionals in just the ’rounds section’ of a 2 hour meeting alone, with open networking before, after and during a short refreshments break which provides even more opportunities to network!
When is the next TableTop Networking going to be held?
Each chapter of TableTop Networking holds an event monthly. The chapter schedules can be found on the home pages of each chapter.
For a list of TableTop Networking Chapters – click here.
TableTop Networking is from 8AM until 10AM. Please arrive promptly – if you have not pre-paid, you will be required to pay at the door in cash.
Where is TableTop Networking this next event?
We are generally planning at least the next two events – but only have the very next event published for registration (this may change).
This next event for each chapter will be found here.
If you have a venue suggestion, please contact us using the ‘More Info’ form on the home page.
Will refreshments be provided?
As we are holding our TableTop Networking events at 8AM, we generally provide coffee and some form of light breakfast type snacks, such as donuts or pastries.
Feel free to bring your water bottle, or specialty drinks for personal consumption.
If you are in the food or drinks business, please do not bring samples as a participant – instead contact us about sponsorship opportunities as only Hosts & Sponsors are allowed to bring anything other than business cards.
What can I expect by attending TableTop Networking and why does everyone say to just bring 50 business cards?
The event is from 8AM to 10AM. YOUR ATTENDANCE MUST BE THERE DURING THOSE TWO HOURS! We have open networking until about 8:10 when we start introductions and explain how the event works. You will understand then, why it will disrupt the entire event if you must leave before 10AM.
We ask you to bring about 50 business cards because you can make lots of connections and you don’t want to run out of cards during the event. Sorry, only business cards can be brought in by attendees.
What is the deal with all the tables?
You will be standing around a small cocktail table with about 3-4 other business owners. Each person will be asked to speak one by one around the table. When it is your turn, you will be asked to tell us about your business or give your “elevator pitch”. Please come prepared with a one-minute elevator pitch to tell everyone at your table about you and your business or what a good lead for your business is. When everyone is finished at the table, you will have a minute to exchange business cards or network. This may only be enough time to let someone know that you wish to follow-up with them later, and this is by design. We want to get in 6-rounds of networking at the tables so the event must proceed in a timely manner Don’t worry, there is a break and there is time after the event unless you have to rush off to your next appointment.
Our hope is that you make a good connection at each table to contact them later or to make a meeting with them before you leave the event.
Because we generally have more than 6 table and you do 6 rounds of networking, you will NOT meet EVERYONE at the event!
How often can I come to an event?
We have no membership fees, we have no requirements of you when you are at the event other than to have a listen to the bells on what to do next and to enjoy yourself by telling others about your business. We only ask that you tell other business owners about this networking opportunity and that you come back as often as you can! The more often you come, the more businesses you will meet.
We have multiple chapters, and it might be that you can benefit from attending multiple chapter events in any given month. We encourage you to check out all chapters as each one is a little different.
Can I go to other TableTop Networking events in other areas as well as the one I started attending?
YES! You can go to as many as you want to. There are no limitations other than the ones that you put on yourself. You can go to all of the chapters events if you would like.
What is the BIZ CLINIC after the event about?
Every couple of months we offer a FREE BUSINESS CLINIC that is presented by one of the business owners of the event. This last about 15 minutes and it is FREE to attend. The topics vary from how to follow up with a connection you have made at TTN to how to make adjustments are your taxes. We will announce the next Biz Clinic well before the event so that you can plan to stay.
If you have a topic that you feel would be beneficial to the business owners of the event, please contact us and let’s talk!
Golden Tickets &
Guest Passes
How do I get Golden Ticket to attend TableTop Networking again?
Once you attend TableTop Networking, you are eligible!
- Simply tell other business owners about the events we have that have never attended
- Your business friend simply buys an Ticket and pay the registration fee at registration.
- At check out, they will be asked if this is their first time attending and who referred them. They enter your name.
- The Golden Ticket will be given out to the referrers during that event that they attend for the first time.
- Yes, you MUST be present to get the golden ticket!
What is the difference between a Golden Ticket and a Guest Pass?
Golden Ticket are actual paper vouchers with codes that are given out to YOU at the event to anyone that referred a new first-time attendee to the event, and they gave us YOUR name when they paid to attend the event for the first time.
Guest Passes are issued one per Table Captain per event these are also codes, which the guest uses to register with.
How do I use a Golden Ticket I got at the event?
Awesome, you got a Golden Ticket to use to get in as an attendee to one of our events or you can apply it to a Table Captain position or a Sponsor. It is worth money so don’t lose it!
- Register for an event and use it for payment as an attendee. (There is an option for it on our website when you register and check out – it is on the CART page in a field named ‘Discount Code’.)
- Your Golden Ticket code is a ‘single use’ code – once redeemed, it is used up. If you do not come to the event, we cannot re-issue the code.
- You can apply the value to your Table Caption position or sponsor position.
- Please use before the expiration date on the Golden Ticket.
How do I get a Guest Pass?
Guest passes are used for NEW companies to attend TTN only. Only the Table Captains, Sponsors and Host have access to them. If you are not one of the above, but are wanting one try these ideas:
- Talk to a Table Captain, they have ONE to give out at each event they are a Table Captain.
- Talk to a Sponsor, they have TWO to give out each event they are a Sponsor.
- Talk to the host of the event, while their guest passes usually go fast, it is worth asking.
(The list of the Table Captains and Sponsors for the current month are on our social media pages.)
Who is eligible to use a Guest Pass?
Table Captains can invite ONE Guest per month that they have a Table Captain position. We encourage you to invite another business owner that can attend that month. This is to expose TableTop Networking to a NEW company that has not attended TTN in the past. As TTN, is a business owners group, we prefer that the owner of the business attend as your guest. However, sometimes the sales or marketing manager has the role to promote their business. They are welcome to come in their place. A business can only use a guest pass ONCE. For example, if a company sent a representative in the past as a guest of one of the Table Captains, that company cannot come again as a guest or send a different person to the event as a guest. One guest pass per company only please. If they have already been to the event, we hope they will register and pay the attendance fee to come again.
Attendees
If I want to attend, what do I do?
First you need to choose your chapter, then you need to REGISTER for our event – pre-registration is required.
Please make sure you arrive before 8AM – the event starts at 8AM sharp.
We close our doors at 8:08AM – you *MUST* be at the event before 8:08AM
What does it cost to attend TableTop Networking?
We want our events to represent outstanding value for money and an extremely good use of your time, but in order to put the event on, we have costs. These costs are covered by participant fees which are listed in each chapter’s web-page. Please refer to the chapter you wish to attend for attendee fees.
If you are unsure about how many contacts you need to get to make TableTop Networking affordable to your business, please contact us.
What should I bring to TableTop Networking?
We are pretty casual – so bring yourself – and FIFTY business cards – plus a 60 second elevator speech.
We are quite serious, 50 cards. You should be able to network with about 30-50 professionals, so 50 cards is a good starting point.
Can I bring flyers or hand-outs as a Participant?
As a participant, we do not allow you to hand out anything other than business cards.
Flyers and hand-outs are reserved for table-captains and sponsors.
I can't make the event I bought a ticket to - can I get a refund or rain check?
We are sorry, we do not offer refunds or rain checks for tickets, but you do have an option to send either someone else from your company or provide us a substitution as long as you inform us by phone at least 5 business day prior to the event.
It is extremely important that you reach out to us if you are sending a substitution as anyone whose name does not appear on the list of registered attendees will be required to pay at the door (and that price is higher and 100% subject to availability of space).
Table Captains
What is a Table Captain?
A ‘Table Captain’ is the one person at each table who has the responsibility to run their table. This person does not move during each rotation of speed networking, but instead stays at their table.
Our Table Captains always get to present their elevator speech first. It’s their job to make sure that other participants get their full time. Table captains listen to our bells and if a participant finished early, they will generally ask a question or two so that everyone gets their full time allocation.
Table Captains get their business or professional name on their table topper – during the event, a table captain steers and manages their table and only Table Captains and Sponsors are allowed to being leaflets or fliers.
How do I qualify to be a Table Captain?
After you attend a TableTop Networking event as an attendee, you are qualified to be a Table Captain.
Please fill out the form here. You can let us know which month(s) you would like to have your reservation for. IF you are not sure what months would work, you can have a open reservation to use at any opening for Table Captain in the future.
Why should I be a Table Captain?
If you have any kind of brochure or hand-out, you cannot give those out unless you are a table captain. Participants are only allowed to hand out business cards, not small brochures – regular sized business cards only.
If you will have trouble standing for the entire 2 hour or more event, being a table captain means you can stay where you are, and if you need a stool or seat – please let us know before registering so we can ensure that our event host can provide one.
What does it cost to be a Table Captain at TableTop Networking?
The Table Captain fees which are listed in each chapter’s web-page. Please refer to the chapter you wish to attend for Table Captain fees.
Table Captains fees are all pre-payed at least 3 weeks before the event.
Each Table Captain receives one FREE PASS to give to a new attendee they think would benefit from TableTop Networking.
Can I be a Table Captain also be a Participant?
Table Captains are by definition a participant in TableTop Networking – the big difference is that Table Captains do less walking. 🙂
In exchange for their support, we recognize our table captains during the event and with table topper advertisements and with Social media shout-outs leading up to our events.
Can a Table Captain be a Sponsor also?
A Table Captain may also be a sponsor – separate fees apply.
Our current table captain and sponsorship fees are listed in each chapter’s pricing section.
Should I be a Table Captain, Sponsor or Particpant?
If you are new to our format of networking, we suggest that you sign up as a participant first. Once you have attended your first TableTop Networking event, you will be qualified to be a Table Captain or a Sponsor.
Honestly, Table Captain is not the role for everyone. You need to be able to steer your table and to some extent, control the flow of networking during the time we have our event.
Can I bring flyers or hand-outs as a Table Captain?
As a Table Captain, we do allow you bring small flyers or handouts, but they must not take over your table. You are still responsible for only taking up 1/6th of your high-top table.
If you think you need more room than a small section of the high-top table, perhaps a sponsorship would be more appropriate for your situation, where you will have a full rectangular table to showcase your materials.
Flyers and hand-outs are reserved for table-captains and sponsors.
As a Table Captain, what do I need to do when I arrive?
Table Captains are expected to be at the event 30 minutes prior to the event start – at that time, we will check-in and be assigned their table. They get a table-topper with their logo printed on it and can opt to replace the contents with their own printed material (5×7 perspex table topper – portrait designed).
Once they have their assigned table there will be a Table Captains meeting – all table captains must attend. We will brief you on the event, the venue, the facilities etc, so they are able to help answer questions from participants. Even if you have been a table captain before, you are expected to be present at this meeting!
You may be asked to help greet participants and help them get name badges, check-in and ensure they have paid their attendance fees.
Table Captains are responsible to steering the event, listening to the bells and for controlling the networking at their table. Please be good stewards and advocates for your participants. If someone is new to networking and runs out of material to share, please ask them questions to help them get more from our events.
Sponsor
What is a TableTop Networking Sponsor?
Our events would not be possible without our sponsors.
We need a venue and refreshments every month – our sponsors help us cover these costs in return for prominent ads, a table to present their business and the ability to present a 3 minute presentation about their business at the event.
How do I qualify to be a Sponsor?
You do not need to qualify to be a sponsor of the event. You do NOT need to have attended a TableTop Networking event before you become a sponsor. (Although, we feel that you SHOULD be an attendee first before sponsoring the event.) As a sponsor, you simply participate in each of the rounds like you normally do as an attendee of the event. The addon for being a sponsor of the event is that you get you will have a 6 – 8 foot table to display your business items during the event and you will be doing a THREE MINUTE presentation to everyone in attendance at the event.
Please fill out the form here. You can let us know which month you would like to have your reservation for. These go fast so book yours today!
What does it cost to sponsor TableTop Networking?
The sponsor fees which are listed in each chapter’s web-page. Please refer to the chapter you wish to attend for sponsor fees.
If you have a venue suitable for TableTop Networking, you may consider offering up your venue as sponsorship – please contact us if you have such an offer to make.
Hosts are also considered sponsors. Your hosting of the event is your sponsorship, and providing the space, tables, refreshments and a door prize cover your sponsorship fees.
I am a Food or Drink vendor - can I sponsor?
Some of our venues allow us to bring in food or drink items – some do not. When we are meeting at a venue that does not, we must respect our host venue’s rules and sponsorships must be in monetary terms only.
Some venues have stated that food and drinks can only be provided by their approved suppliers. Vendors who are not on these lists must obtain that status and provide proof of that status before their spsonsorship can be approved for such an event.
Other event venues have no such restrictions – we encourage prospective sponsors who wish to sponsor by providing their products, to reach out to us before signing up.
Can I bring flyers or hand-outs as a Sponsor?
As a Sponsor you will receive a rectangular table to lay out materials you bring. These can be flyers or hand-outs, promotional items etc. During the open networking section of the event we recommend that you remain in close proximity of your table to answer questions about your business.
We recommend that you only take a small amount of your flyers around when we do the rotations, instead refer those you meet to your sponsorship table.
Flyers and hand-outs are reserved for table-captains and sponsors.
Hosting
Why would I consider becoming a Host?
Our hosts love our events – they really do!
Most hosts want to immediately sign up to host again, or get us onto their calendar for an event later in the year, or for the very next year.
Hosts should consider our event a ‘marketing event’ to which we bring all the guests.
Being the host of our event means we organize the people to visit, and we gather attendees from all across the region and bring them to your location. Most (if not all) hosts have said their return on investment is many times what they have to invest in our events. This is mainly because the event costs are so minimal.
What does it cost to be an event Host?
Our events are really affordable to host, because the main thing we need is space.
Apart from a space large enough to host the event, a host needs to provide:
- Tables for networking (30-36-inch high-tops)
- Table & Chairs for Check-in
- Tables for Sponsor (3-4)
- A table and an electrical outlet for the Sound system
- Light Refreshments (coffee/juice and light breakfast nibble – the selection is your choice)
- A door-prize valued at $50 or more
Apart from that, you have to provide you logo and some marketing information so that we can promote the event at your location, and then you like and share our social posts about the event.
That’s it – we do the rest – we basically bring you attendees for a tour or open-house of your location.
Payments
What Payment Options do you have?
For Attendees we must have pre-registration – that means pre-payment and we use PayPal checkout for that.
Table Captains and Sponsors must register their interest and an invoice will be issued. We can invoice with Check or PayPal Checkout.
Do I need a PayPal Account to Register?
No – a PayPal account is not required to pay with PayPal!
We chose PayPal because you can checkout without an account – when you click ‘Register’, you’ll be transferred to PayPal to complete your payment – choose the PayPal Guest Option – as shown in the image below:
I REALLY don't like PayPal - can I pay another way?
You can send a check for your registration fee – or – pay online at registration time.
These are our ONLY payment options at this time as payment at the door has been removed due to social distancing rules we have had to implement.
Reach Us
970-587-7878