Miami-Dade County Groups

1. Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce

Dues: $795 - $10,000

Events: they host about 10 events per month and its worth it to note that you cannot attend if you are not a member.  They also do not have a future-member saver ticket.  The quality of the events however is very high so if the budget allows it may be worth it to join.

2. Network After Work

Dues: $15 / $20 / $25 RSVP to save money. 

Events: They host their events at different bars all over the country on different nights of the week.  They do get a good turnout and its a great event for jobseekers and recruiters.  Mostly a younger crowd.

3.) Brickell Living

Dues: Varies by event!

Events: They have close to 80,000 followers on Instagram so they get a younger turnout.  They tend to focus on trendy events and local bar crawls in the Downtown Miami area.

4.) Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce

Dues: $300 - $2750

Events: They host about 12 events per month. Non-Members can attend they simply pay $10. more per event.  Younger networkers may want to consider their Wine Down Wednesday mixer event at Sushi Maki and sponsored by Keyes Company Real Estate.

5.) Aventura Marketing Council

Dues: $475 - $8250

Events: They serve as the official chamber for Aventura and sometimes team up with the North Miami Beach Chamber for co-hosted networking events.  They only host 4-5 events per month but they are very high quality events and well worth attending.  They get involved in civic interests, grand openings, politics and law enforcement as well.

Palm Beach County Groups

1.) The Breakers Club Membership

Dues: $8300 - $25,000

Events: Legendary club founded in 1896.  A group where industry tycoons and Palm Beach Socialites Network.  The Sunday Brunch as actually one of the best around and a great event for meeting quality business contacts.

2.) Mar-a-Lago Club

Dues: $500,000.

Events: Great networking for people who do not need networking rather they choose to network with others in their financial and political realm.  Long lines to attend now that the founder Donald Trump is the head of this networking group and happens to be President of the USA.

3.) Inner Circle Executive Club - Boca Raton

Dues: FREE

Events: Unofficially affiliated with the Boca Raton Chamber of Commerce this is probably the best free networking group in South Florida.  They meet twice per month on Thursdays at Pinon Grill in the Boca Raton Town Center Mall.  Local socialites and the mayor do attend the events and they tend to bring a charity on board at most events.  Turnout is generally around 80-100 people.

4.) Palm Beach Chamber

Dues: $225 - $600

Events: Affiliated with The Breakers and just about every important business in Palm Beach.  Brooks Brothers and most of the high end boutique stores on Worth Ave.  They host about 12-15 events per month.  This group is great for wine-lovers.  About half of the events feature wine-tasting which I feel completely apt given the locale. Membership is affordable and event turnout is strong.

5.) BNI - Palm Beach & South Florida

Dues: $445 + $150 application fee

Events: They tend to focus more on breakfast meetings yet each sub-chapter is slightly different.  If your networking goal is to generate a massive amount of referrals then this is the group for you.  If your goal is to make a friend and simply enjoy some cocktails you may not want to join BNI as they do demand production and referral quotas.  A good group for some and they are internationally recognized.  Another benefit is that they limit the number of people in each profession who can join so that all leads for your area of expertise will be passed on to yourself rather than a competing business person.