True words to grow your business with.
 
So what should we "show up" to?
Glad you asked.
 
BNI - www.bni.org

BNI is the largest business-to-business referral group in the world. Find a local chapter to investigate.  Call the regional director and start to become familiar with the organization. There is a very good possibility you will be the 1st answering service representative to inquire about membership in the entire region and maybe even the entire state. Being 1st is most always a good thing. Then look at the local chapters that you would like to visit.  Explore what companies and organizations are represented in the chapter.  Perhaps even call on them to find out what their experience has been.  Then ... Show Up.

You don't have to join the first one you visit, you don't have to join the 2nd or even the 3rd.  Find one you feel comfortable with and if the synergy is there join.
The benefits of BNI are not just the potential for new business, but to help hone your presentation skills and networking skills.
 
Imagine the improvement to the image of answering services nationwide if 50, 100, 200 answering services joined BNI and were making weekly presentations to 30+ business people a week?  And they told 2 friends and so on and so on and so on....
 

Chamber Events

Chamber-www.uschamber.com
Chamber's of Commerce have some of the most dynamic speakers on their schedule, and if you are interested in joining you may be invited to attend for free.  At these meetings are very powerful and influential people from the business and political spectrum.  People you would never have a chance of speaking with over the phone or getting to return your phone call or e-mail.  But, because you are at the Chamber they are more easily engaged in conversation, which invariably will lead to .. "so ... what business are you in ..?"
 
Local Government events - IE - Zoning board - Planning meetings - Ad Hoc Committees
These events draw business people interested, invested and vested in the future of the city.  Showing up at these events gives opportunity to opening a dialogue with influential business people and politicians who can help support a cause or resolve a concern.  Because there are, at times, very limited participation at these events, the mere fact you Show Up gives you instant credibility.
 
Ribbon Cutting Ceremonies
Local politicians, business people and chamber executives show up to support the opening of a local business.  Another great opportunity to socialize with people who would be difficult to reach under normal B-2-B circumstances.  And the more you see the politicians and chamber executives and other business people the more comfortable they become with you and more likely they are to remember you when the time comes for them to need your services.
 
Most of these only involve an investment of time and effort. So, there is little to loose and much to gain both professionally and personally.  And you know what will happen if you don't Show Up...... Nothing.