Key Takeaways
- High-Energy Event: Over 50 business owners and professionals gathered at Killara Golf Club for the Ku-ring-gai Chamber of Commerce's annual Speed Networking event.
- Rapid-Fire Connections: The evening featured 22 rounds of fast-paced, one-on-one intervals, allowing attendees to directly pitch their businesses and build meaningful local contacts.
- Strategic Collaboration: Chamber President Adrienne McLean officially announced a new landmark media partnership with The Post to showcase and advocate for local enterprises.
- Ongoing Support: Commencing this month, The Post will deliver dedicated coverage of Chamber initiatives, key events, and collaborative content features.
On Wednesday 10th June the Ku-ring-gai Chamber of Commerce injected some high-octane energy into the local business scene, hosting over 50 business owners and professionals at its annual Speed Networking event. This is the second time the event has run and is fast becoming a favourite for Chamber members.
Held at the picturesque Killara Golf Club, the evening was an undeniable hit, offering boundless opportunities for genuine engagement without the dread of awkward introductions. Local professionals skipped the small talk and dove straight into meaningful connections, gaining direct access to suppliers, partners, and innovators across a diverse range of industries.
The vibrant evening drew a collaborative crowd, welcoming members and guests from across the region, including the Chatswood, North Sydney, Hornsby, Lane Cove, and Macquarie Park Chambers.
For the uninitiated, speed networking operates on a simple but highly effective matrix: half the room remains seated while the other half rotates one seat over at strictly timed intervals. This format ensures every attendee enjoys focused, one-on-one time to pitch their business and uncover new avenues for collaboration.
Reflecting on the immense success of the evening, Ku-ring-gai Chamber of Commerce President Adrienne McLean highlighted the tangible impact of the high-energy format.
“There’s real value in this speed networking event for our community,” Ms. McLean stated. “We hosted 22 rounds tonight, meaning every single attendee connected with at least 22 new businesses. When you add in the networking before and after the main event, you can really feel that this is a motivated community that is growing in momentum.”
Guiding the night’s rapid-fire transitions was Master of Ceremonies Paula O’Connell, whose time-keeping was punctuated by the striking of a massive, antique gong. (Fortunately, Paula gave nearby attendees a polite warning before the first strike, saving more than a few from jumping right out of their skins!)
The fast-paced format won high praise from attendees, including The Post’s own Tina Brown, who attended in a dual capacity. “This is the first event I’ve attended as a new member of the Ku-ring-gai Chamber of Commerce, and it has been incredibly worthwhile and enjoyable,” Brown noted. “I would absolutely come to another event like this in the future, I didn’t realise so many businesses would be here.”
“The Speed Networking evening run by Ku-ring-gai Chamber of Commerce was comfortably the best networking event I’ve been to. I have been to many different networking events that focus on helping businesses and individuals connect but this was conducted in a manner that allowed everyone to properly connect, get straight to what was important and gain contacts that can be built on further. I have already been reaching out to people I met on the night, have caught up with some and have catch ups planned with others in the coming weeks. The greatest endorsement I can give to this event is that it was my first event with the Chamber (as a guest) and I have already joined the Chamber as a result of attendance.”
— Andrew Schaverien, Real Estate Advocate and new Chamber Member
Beyond the rapid-fire business matching, the evening marked a major milestone for the local business community. Ku-ring-gai Chamber of Commerce President, Adrienne McLean, used the platform to welcome 12 new members and formally announce an exciting new official media partnership with The Post.
“We are absolutely delighted to welcome The Post as our official media partner,” said Ms. McLean. “The Chamber is deeply committed to helping local businesses thrive, network, and grow. Having a dedicated, high-quality media partner allows us to better showcase the incredible talent, innovation, and resilience of our business community. This partnership will give our members a powerful voice and ensure that the vital economic contributions of the Ku-ring-gai region are recognised.”
This strategic collaboration aims to strengthen connections across the North Shore, championing local economic growth and providing businesses with an amplified platform to share their stories, insights, and successes.
Moving forward, The Post will provide dedicated coverage of Chamber initiatives, key networking events, and the vital advocacy work being undertaken to support businesses across the Ku-ring-gai local government area.
Tina Brown, Publisher of The Post, expressed equal enthusiasm for the joint venture and its potential to foster deeper community connections. “Partnering with the Ku-ring-gai Chamber of Commerce is a natural fit for The Post,” said Ms. Brown. “Our mission has always been to inform, engage, and support our local community. Small and medium enterprises are the backbone of the North Shore, and we are thrilled to become the official media vehicle that helps tell their stories. Working alongside Adrienne McLean and her team, we look forward to driving meaningful engagement and supporting the vibrant local economy.”
The partnership officially commences this month, with a dynamic pipeline of collaborative content features, event coverage, and exclusive opportunities designed specifically for Chamber members.
