WHAT IS BNI?
Business Network International
BNI is a structured, relationship-based business networking organization. Members meet regularly with the same group of professionals to learn about one another’s businesses, build trust, and create referral opportunities. Each chapter typically has one professional per industry category, allowing members to collaborate rather than compete while growing their businesses together.
BUILD RELATIONSHIPS
Get to know local professionals beyond a quick introduction.
BUILD TRUST
Consistency gives members time to understand who you serve and what makes a good referral.
RECOGNIZE OPPORTUNITIES
Learn what a good referral looks like so you can recognize opportunities in everyday conversations.
GROW TOGETHER
A network of professionals focused on relationships, referrals and mutual business growth.
IT STARTED WITH ONE MEETING.
The Birth of a Global Network
BNI was founded by Dr. Ivan Misner in 1985 in Arcadia, California. Business owners wanted referrals but didn’t have a consistent, structured way to generate them. Misner brought about 20 professionals together for the first meeting. The idea was simple: bring professionals together regularly, learn about one another’s businesses, build trust, and help each other grow. That first meeting became the foundation for what is now a worldwide organization.
Dr. Ivan Misner
Founder of BNI
1985
BNI is founded in Arcadia, California by Dr. Ivan Misner.
20 CHAPTERS
By the end of 1985, the organization had expanded to 20 chapters.
GLOBAL EXPANSION
The referral model expands internationally.
BNI TODAY
Thousands of chapters around the world.
20
BNI
ONE IDEA THAT TRAVELED THE WORLD.
355,000+
GLOBAL MEMBERS
11,800+
GLOBAL CHAPTERS
78
COUNTRIES
17.8 MILLION
MEMBER REFERRALS
$26.9 BILLION
MEMBER-GENERATED BUSINESS
Current global figures reported by BNI. Referral and business figures represent BNI’s reported worldwide member activity and change as new results are reported.
GIVERS GAIN®
A Simple Philosophy with a Powerful Idea.
At the center of BNI is Givers Gain® — the belief that when you help others succeed, your own success follows. It’s a philosophy based on giving business to others, building trust, and creating long-term, mutually beneficial relationships.
Give first. Build trust. Create opportunity. Grow together.
HOW DOES BNI WORK?
Relationships Don’t Happen in One Conversation.
BNI members meet regularly because effective referral relationships take time to develop. Over time, this leads to trusted relationships and meaningful business opportunities.
MEET
Connect with other business professionals.
LEARN
Understand what they do and who they serve.
BUILD TRUST
Develop stronger relationships through consistent interaction.
RECOGNIZE OPPORTUNITIES
Know when someone in your network needs another member’s services.
REFER
Make meaningful introductions.
WHY DO BUSINESS PROFESSIONALS JOIN BNI?
Professionals join BNI to increase their visibility, develop trusted relationships, generate referrals, and become more involved in their local business community. BNI provides a structured environment designed to help members grow through consistency and meaningful connections.
IS BNI A GLOBAL ORGANIZATION?
Yes. BNI operates in 78 countries, but the relationships are built locally. In Meridian, Idaho and throughout the Treasure Valley, members can participate in a local chapter while being part of a global network.
BNI NETWORKING IN MERIDIAN, IDAHO
The BNI Firecrackers are a local chapter serving business professionals in Meridian, Idaho. Visiting a meeting gives you the opportunity to experience BNI, meet local business professionals, and learn how referral networking works.