Effective networking comes with practice and as long as you have done some preparation and learn to relax, you will find, the more you do it, the easier it becomes. To make the most of your networking opportunities, always bear the following in mind . . .

Don't go with an agenda. Have a glass of wine, relax and enjoy yourself. You may be surprised at what happens when you're not trying so hard.

Liverpool Chamber has further developed its portfolio of services, with a on-line trading platform. LiverpoolABC enables companies to post their buying opportunities on-line. These are matched up to registered businesses via an on-line alert or SMS text message.

This year is Liverpool Chamber's 10th year at the Aintree Grand National Festival. What started in 1997 with sixty guests has grown each year and is now the Chamber's largest networking event and Merseyside's largest corporate hospitality event. This year Liverpool Chamber has reserved a number of places at the Thursday meeting of the Grand National Festival on 12th April. Guests will arrive from 11am onwards for morning coffee, study form and to take in the atmosphere of this great occasion. A four course lunch is served at 12 noon and the first race is a 2pm.

Do you want to improve the marketing focus of your business? Liverpool Chamber is holding an advanced course that will enable attendees to write a strategic marketing plan for their company. This will be followed by a review session a week later with support and discussion on how they applied their marketing plan in their business.

Liverpool Chamber has signed up to the Northwest Climate Change Charter as part of its drive to promote and support responsible business. This is a regional initiative designed to drive cuts in carbon emissions and assist both public and private sector organisations to tackle climate change. Maresa Molloy, Liverpool Chamber’s Head of Policy & Information said: “Encouraging Responsible business practices is key to the Chamber’s work, we’re also keen to promote responsible business practice by taking the lead ourselves.”

Over 1.4 million tonnes of commercial and industrial waste is produced in Merseyside each year and it costs approximately £70M to treat and dispose of ; which businesses pay for.

James Cook , Waste Management Team Leader at Merseyside Environmental Advisory Service says: " The business community is a key stakeholder in creating a development plan to address this issue. Understanding the views of commerce and industry at this early stage is vital as the outcome of the process will have implications for businesses across Merseyside for the next 20 years."