BNI Tech Talk-Visiting Chapters as a Member (August 7, 2026)

Quick Recap:

This BNI Tech Talks session explains how members can make visiting another chapter a meaningful relationship-building opportunity rather than a quick sales exercise. Jeremy Walsh demonstrates how to find chapters locally, regionally, nationally, and globally; register through a chapter website, the BNI Connect mobile app, or the BNI Connect Visitor Portal; and prepare by reviewing the roster and contacting chapter leadership or members whose professions overlap with yours. The session emphasizes arriving with a Givers Gain® mentality, bringing value through a visitor or referral, respecting represented classifications, and following the appropriate etiquette for online and in-person meetings. It also introduces “coopertition”—working with people in the same industry by identifying complementary skills, markets, locations, ideal clients, and preferred types of work.

BNI Tech Talk: Full Summary

Visiting other chapters is a valuable benefit of BNI membership, providing thousands of networking opportunities beyond a member’s own weekly meeting. Effective chapter visiting, however, requires preparation and the right mindset. The purpose is not to arrive expecting immediate business, a referral, or a speaking opportunity; it is to build relationships, understand the chapter, and contribute in a way that makes the group glad to welcome the visiting member back.

For nearby chapters, members can begin with their regional website, accessible through the Regional Website link in BNI Connect. Regional and country websites typically offer maps, chapter directories, and advanced searches that can filter by city, meeting time, and meeting type. Members traveling to another area can search for BNI plus their destination, while BNI.com provides a global “Get Invited” path. Because the BNI Connect app and website are better suited to registration than discovery, Jeremy recommends finding the chapter through its public website first.

After selecting a chapter, members can register through its public page, the BNI Connect mobile app, or the Visitor Portal in BNI Connect. Using the email address associated with the member’s BNI Connect profile allows the system to recognize the registrant and reuse their information. Members should register in advance rather than arrive unannounced; Jeremy recommends providing at least two days’ notice whenever possible and checking for any additional regional requirements.

The central behavioral lesson is the “networking meeting disconnect.” Most people attend networking events hoping to receive referrals or business, while almost nobody arrives intending to buy something. Visiting members should therefore lead with Givers Gain® and ask what they can contribute. The best contribution is a qualified visitor who could fill an open classification, followed by a referral for someone in the chapter. Visiting members are guests or observers and are not automatically entitled to give a weekly presentation, although they can still participate in open networking, arrange one-to-ones, listen for referral opportunities, and follow up afterward.

When the visitor’s profession is already represented, communication is essential. Members should review the roster, contact the chapter president or leadership team, and speak with the overlapping member before the meeting or during open networking. They should respect the existing member’s classification, avoid presenting directly into that person’s category, and clarify any differences in service, geography, market, or specialty. If the chapter or member appears uncomfortable with the visit, selecting another chapter is the respectful choice.

The session expands this idea through “coopertition”—cooperating with someone who is also a competitor. Two similar businesses may find complementary opportunities based on skills, markets, geographic coverage, preferred clients, or types of work. Jeremy’s example involved two computer professionals: one referred Macintosh work to Jeremy, while Jeremy referred laptop soldering repairs to the other professional. Even a small difference can become a productive reciprocal referral relationship.

Online visitors should attend from a suitable workspace, remain for the entire meeting, avoid driving or multitasking, listen, take notes, and follow up. In-person visitors should confirm logistics with the president and be prepared to pay any applicable meal or venue charge. In either setting, the goal is to be a resource rather than a burden: register ahead, respect the seat, look for cooperation, give first, start conversations, and become the visitor every chapter is glad to welcome back.