Networking Guide for Expats
Resources
Network in Chicago http://www.networkinchicago.com/
Network in Chicago lists all the networking events in Chicago. There are so many that this goal seems to be unreachable.
Expat groups
Expatriates in Chicago meet mainly through their own networks, i.e. mainly at work or very often at the children’s school. There are also associations by nationalities whose aims are to welcome ex-pats from the same country and organize social events for them. Here are some examples:
| Name and website | Details |
| French in Chicago | French people only. Activities are related to French culture. Soccer. |
| Groupe Professionnel Francophone: | People from many countries but speaking French. Cultural events related to France, sports, and business. The group meets every last Thursday of each month from 5:30 pm at the Great Street Restaurant, Renaissance Hotel (State & Wacker). |
| InterNations – the Network for Expatriates and Global Minds! http://www.internations.org/ | InterNations is a worldwide network of expatriate people. There is a group in Chicago. You have to join on the web. |
| Skando Chicago (Skandinavian Social Club): | This social club for Scandinavian people (Norwegian, Danish and Swedish) serves Chicago’s young Scandinavian community by hosting bi-weekly pub nights, annual events, and year-round sporting activities. |
| Swiss Club of Chicago: http://www.swissclubchicago.com/ | The Swiss Club’s objective is to cultivate friendly Swiss-American relations, to maintain the Swiss heritage and to provide a forum for cultural exchange and social gatherings. Organize events such as Fondue, Raclette, ski weekends, etc…. |
| UFEC (Union des Français de l’Etranger de Chicago): Association of French abroad living in Chicago. | This association organizes social events for French people living in Chicago: karting, bowling, French restaurants, networking events, etc. … |
| United German-American Societies of Greater Chicago: http://www.germanday.com/index.html | Cultural events around the German culture. |
Business and Professional Organizations
| Name and website | Details |
| British American Business Council in Chicago | Its mission is to broaden trade and commercial goodwill between the United States and Great Britain.
Networking events, after hours, annual Gala |
| Business Network Chicago | BNC is a network for professionals offering extensive offline and online networking opportunities to the Chicago business community.
Networking events, online groups, face-to-face groups, after hours. |
| French American Chamber of Commerce in Chicago http://www.facc-chicago.com/ | The FACC’s goal is to promote and develop commercial and financial relations between France and the United States in Chicagoland.
Seminars and conferences, business meetings, networking events. |
| German American Chamber of Commerce in Chicago
http://www.gaccom.org/german-american-chamber-of-commerce-of-the-midwest-gaccom/index.html |
The mission of the German American Chamber of Commerce of the Midwest is to further, promote and assist in the expansion of bilateral trade and investment between Germany and the United States.
The GACCC provides more than 40 networking events throughout the region per year from topical seminars to business luncheon, executive roundtables, an Awards Gala, the German Wine Dinner, etc. …. |
| Groupe Professionnel Francophone: http://www.gpfchicago.org/index.htm | People from many countries but speaking French. Cultural events related to France, sports and business. |
| Italian American Chamber of Commerce Midwest http://www.italianchamber.us/history.asp | The Italian American Chamber of Commerce – Midwest (IACC) is a business association that provides services to the Italian business community and to American businesses oriented to the Italian market or products. |
| Midwest Danish American Chamber of Commerce http://www.mwdacc.com/script/site/default.asp | The MDACC‘s goal is to strengthen the Danish-American community in the Midwest. It organizes networking events for its members throughout the year, and hosts monthly social events that are open to everyone. |
| Norwegian American Chamber of Commerce Midwest Chicago | The NACC of Chicago promotes trade, fosters business, financial and professional interests between Norway and the USA. The NACC organizes about 10 events a year. |
| Swedish American Chamber of Commerce in Chicago http://www.sacc-chicago.org/ | The SACC’s goals are to promote an exchange of technology, trade and culture between Sweden and the Midwestern United States. The SACC organizes social and business events. |
Country Clubs
| Names and websites | Details |
| Ridge Country Club | This is a private club with an 18 hole golf course, pro shop, banquet hall, outdoor swimming pool. It will take you around 30 minutes of driving from Chicago downtown to reach this club located in the Ridge neighborhood.
Members only. |
| The Beverly Country Club | Located 25 minutes drive in the South of Chicago, the Beverly Country Club is mainly a golf course.
Members only. |
| The Oak Park Country Club | This club is located in River Grove in the Northwestern part of Chicago. It will take you 30 minutes of driving to reach the Oak Park Country Club which equipments include a golf course, a pro shop, tennis and an outdoor swimming poll.
Members only. |
Community Service Organizations
| Name and Website | Details |
| Chicago Volunteer
http://www.chicagovolunteer.net/ |
This resource will help you to find volunteer activities in your neighborhood and in the fields you are specialized in (Arts/Culture, Education, Health, Environment, etc….). |
| Chicago Cares | Become a member of Chicago Cares (you can do it online and it takes just a few minutes) and you will have access to the volunteer opportunities in their database. |
Women’s Networks
General
| Name and website | Details |
| CW-Network – The Chicago Women Network
|
CWN is the place to connect with a supportive and diverse community of professional women representing all areas of business and levels of experience and expertise.
Activities include online moderated email discussions, monthly networking events and professional development programs. There is no membership fee. |
| International Women Associates | IWA is a Chicago educational organization of women from around the world, which promotes cultural exchange, dialogue, and friendship.
Membership is open to women living in the Chicago area and who are foreign-born, or are married to foreign-born nationals, or have lived abroad or whose family is, or has been, engaged in international business, education, or the diplomatic service. |
Business Oriented
| Name and website | Details |
| American Business Women’s Association. The Chicagoland Express Network
|
Their goal is to help women achieve the highest levels of professional development. They meet the 3rd Tuesday of each month at Marcello’s Restaurant (645 W. North Avenue). Some events are for members only. |
| NAWBO Chicago | NAWBO Chicago offers a wealth of opportunities ranging from contacts and networking to learning, advocacy and growth. Some events are for members only. |
| PWCC Professional Women’s Club of Chicago | This club is for Chicago-area professional women who wish to make connections, broaden their business and personal contacts.
Activities: networking luncheons, networking events. |
| WBDC Women’s Business Development Center | This center helps women to start and develop their businesses.
WBDC organizes networking events, seminars, and conferences. |
