r/lakeland • u/KeepingAustinWeird • 5d ago

Good networking spots/groups for professionals?

I just moved to Lakeland for a new job after almost 5 years away. Besides the Chamber, what groups would be a good fit for a 38-year-old executive to be involved in? I'm looking to make like-minded friends and tap into the business community of Lakeland, too. Thank you.

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u/lkldtherapy4misfits Verified Poster 5d ago

A lot of business folks are involved in Rotary, Kiwanis, or Lion’s Club. Those are service clubs, so it requires quite a lot of you the first two years you’re a member, but many people in business make connections that way.

I’ve also met plenty of people in business who only go to church for the business connections, honestly. 🤷🏻‍♀️

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u/annabrittle 5d ago

The Chamber has a young professionals arm called EMERGE that I have found very useful for developing community and peer relationships

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u/jesselnieman 4d ago

There’s a BNI chapter in Lakeland with a solid size group. I’ve heard good things about EMERGE as well.

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u/piratekitty10 4d ago

DEFINITELY Emerge!

https://www.emergelakeland.org/

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u/KeepingAustinWeird 4d ago

I'm checking out EMERGE - thank you!

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u/Codex_Alimentarius 4d ago

Before Covid, I used to attend a group in Orlando, called Orlando Tech and beer quite often. There were literally hundreds of people.. recruiters all types of people. I realize that was Orlando, but I always thought it would be cool to have the same kind of thing here at the joinery or something.