Episode 14 - Inside the BNI National Conference: 30 Years, 420 Delegates and a Big Announcement

In this episode of the BNI UK Podcast, Ed Nell is joined by UK National Director Mike Holman and Operations Director Simon McGuinness for a debrief on BNI's recent national conference - a milestone event marking 30 years of BNI in the UK.

The conversation goes behind the scenes of what it takes to plan a three day event for 420 delegates, reflects on the £7 billion in business generated by UK members since 2010, and covers a major personal announcement from Mike about his next move within BNI.

Key Takeaways

This year's conference was the largest two day event BNI UK has run.

420 delegates, around 50 speakers and up to 30 exhibitors came together for three days, the result of roughly eight to nine months of dedicated planning.

Mike Holman is moving into a new EMEA role.

After four years as UK National Director, Mike announced he will be supporting new franchisees coming into BNI across Europe, the Middle East and Africa - a return to his roots as a former franchisee himself.

The 30th anniversary was a moment to reflect and accelerate.

Since 2010 alone, BNI UK members have generated over £7 billion in recorded business and 13 million referrals, with much more believed to go unrecorded.

Dr Ivan Misner's appearance was a major highlight.

The BNI founder hadn't attended a UK conference in around a decade, and his presence - alongside a fireside chat with UK co-founder Gilly Lawson - became one of the standout moments of the event.

Next year's conference is heading to Twickenham.

With over 100 tickets already sold for an event eleven months away, the team are already eyeing potential rugby-themed keynote speakers to suit the venue.

Key Moments

"We've generated over £7 billion worth of business for local business people - and that's just what's been recorded."

"Nobody should feel alone in business. BNI has the opportunity to bring people together."

"When Gilly asks you to do something, you should be saying yes."

"Picking your favourite speaker session is a bit like asking who your favourite child is."

"How we top what we've just done is a major concern at the moment, to say the least."

About the Host

Mike Holman is the UK National Director for BNI, the world's largest business networking organisation. He works with thousands of members across the UK to help them build strong relationships, generate consistent referrals, and grow their businesses through structured networking.

BNI is built on the philosophy of "Givers Gain" - supporting others to succeed in order to achieve your own success. With a strong focus on commitment, accountability, and personal development, BNI provides a proven framework for long-term business growth.

Find out more: https://bni.co.uk/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.