The Maitland chapter of international organisation BNI recorded $3.3 million worth of closed business deals among its 45 members last year.

Member Mark van Huisstede said he joined the group about eight years ago.

He said it had become instrumental in the marketing of his business, italk travel in Maitland.

“Each year you have a different role,” Mr van Huisstede said. 

“The leadership committee changes every six months.”

BNI has 40,000 members worldwide.

Visitors are welcome at the weekly meetings but the membership process is competitive.

Only one of each business type is allowed to join a given chapter.

But founding member of the Maitland chapter Janine Harris said if more than one suitable business owner applied, the committee 

would help put the unsuccessful applicant in contact with another BNI group nearby.

She said the Maitland group had passed $18 million worth of business between members since it began nine years ago.

Vice-president Matthew Pritchard, who owns Gecko Security, said BNI increased each member’s profits and profile in the community.

“I moved to the Hunter Valley eight years ago, didn’t know anyone and was just a man in a van,” he said.

“Since I joined BNI, I’ve grown my business to employing five staff and have a premises in Rutherford and have become one of the biggest security businesses in the Hunter Valley. 

“I attribute 90 per cent of that to BNI.”

Mr Pritchard said it was important for the region’s leaders and politicians to see what a large portion of the business community was doing locally.

“If they can see ways to help our businesses grow, our businesses can help grow the community as well,” he said.

The Mayor of Maitland, Cr Peter Blackmore, attended the weekly breakfast for the first time yesterday.

“This is exactly what business people are looking for,” he said. 

Visit www.bni.com.au and find details about the Maitland chapter’s next event by searching “express”.