NJBA has twelve monthly meetings each year, which generally occur on the third Wednesday evening of each month; meetings may be scheduled on another date if there is a conflict, for example, with a holiday that would affect attendance.
Ten of the meetings are business meetings and two (usually January and July) are strictly social gatherings for members and their guests. The business meetings share the following general format; however, individual meetings may differ (for example, by having a guest speaker on a topic of interest to members and guests):
5:30 – 6:30 pm:
Members and guests gather for drinks and informal conversation
6:30 pm:
Formal meeting begins; when meetings are in-person (versus virtual), a buffet dinner is provided
6:30 – 7:00 pm:
Member and guest introductions, including acknowledgements/thank you’s by members for the assistance of other members since the prior meeting
7:00 – 7:05 pm:
Networking wisdom – a brief pointer given by a member about a technique or approach he or she uses to be more effective in networking
7:05 – 7:20 pm:
Business in Process – an opportunity for members to both inform the group of upcoming events of interest (outside NJBA) and to seek assistance (e.g., seek an introduction to a decision-maker in a target company, warn of a business that should be avoided, announce an opening in their company for a new employee and seek recommendations)
7:20 – 7:30 pm:
Break – during which members might schedule opportunity calls or 1-on- meetings with other members for the coming month7:30 – 8:00 pm Spotlights – presentations by 1 to 3 members about the products and services of their business or practice, or educating members on a topic of interest based on their expertise
7:30 – 8:00 pm:
Spotlights – presentations by 1 to 3 members about the products and services of their business or practice, or educating members on a topic of interest based on their expertise