Frequently Asked Questions

updated 14 December 2009

How do I join?
Using the online form you create your entry for online member database which allows other members to see your expertise and services, then you pay your membership fee.

You’ll then be contacted by one of the Schmooze team and given access to the Members Lounge area of the site once your membership fee is paid.

Alternately you can come along on a casual fee basis (some events are members-only however).

You'll find a list of benefits of membership on this page.

Can I try it first?
Absolutely- we offer a limited number of Guest Passes to our monthly Schmooze networking functions each month for prospective members.

Happily- we have an over 80% joining rate for those who experience Schmooze for themselves, make lots of new contacts and have fun in the process. You can view some of our events and the thoughts of our members and guests here.

What happens if I don’t like it?
If you are unsatisfied with your experience within two months of joining, we will refund you on a pro rata basis, no questions asked.

Who joins Schmooze?
Generally, the majority of members are those at the manager and Director level (or public sector equivalent). Schmooze is open to any professional over 18. The main age range is 30-50 for the professional network with the SYPG designed for 20-somethings.

Most of our members are 35 to 50 who own their own business or are senior managers in their organisation, there is an 80/20 Private/Public split in the membership. See a list of recent members here.

Is this a hard sell / referrabusiness network?
No. Whilst we just take it as read that everyone who joins is interested in furthering their business and professional goals we keep the tone light and welcoming. Schmooze designs its programs in response to the interests and expectations of its members to ensure they get the maximum benefit.

At all times the staff at Schmooze strive to deliver first class networking events in a comfortable and relaxed setting. Just because we want our members to enjoy themselves doesn’t mean we aren’t serious about the outcomes or the service!

Why the name Schmooze?
To schmooze someone means to sweet talk them into getting what you want. So for those in PR, sales and marketing it’s a bit of in-house joke. It is also intended to be a little cheeky so that people approach the network with an open mind and more relaxed than a more formal approach. We aim to foster the conditions for great networking, and to do that you have to be relaxed.

What are your events like?
We believe in quality not quantity at our events. We’d rather 20 great contacts rather than 80 people in the room for the sake of it. Our professional development and member dinners attract 12-30 participants with the seating arrangements carefully considered to maximise the networking potential.

We choose the best venues and aim for a comfortable environment with premium quality food and wine. You can read what some of our members think here.

The Monthly Schmooze's are relaxed cocktail party style affairs  with about 80-120 participants with very little in the way of formalities (you won’t hear for 20 minutes from our sponsor for instance) and everyone makes each other welcome, especially new faces. You'll find an overview of our program here.

You can view some footage of our events on the Schmooze TV page.

Who’s behind the network?
Schmooze was founded in 2003 by Phillip Jones with the aim of developing a network based on collaboration, openness and delivered with style. Phillip owns Schmooze and is ably assisted by several volunteer and casual assistants who are passionate about what Schmooze is about. 

We also have a Council who runs the Schmooze Young Professional Group (SYPG) plus members who coordinate the range of interest groups. You can meet the team here.

They help run the events, provide concierge services to our members, staff the registration desks and provide admin support. We also have members who help source presenters to deliver our professional development activities. You find out more about organisation and our activities here.

How can I promote my expertise or business?
You need to be a member of Schmooze to do so, but you can advertise your events or expertise to the network via the website calendar and notice board for free.

Or you plus can host or sponsor an event, or be a presenter at a professional development workshop, or contribute articles to the website. In addition, members can extend special offers or exclusive services to the network.

Members contact details and company profiles are also made visibile to the other members in the Member Profiles database in the members-only part of this website – a powerful way to promote your and your organisations expertise.

You can also add your events onto this website calendar and they are featured in the e-news which goes out weekly. We also offer a Referral Program for targeted and personalised offers to members.

Finally, you can also commission Schmooze to facilitate a Master Class toa select audience- read more here.

I’m only starting my career, is Schmooze for me?
Yes, it is- the Schmooze Young Professional Group (SYPG) has been established for young professionals and students.  It is open to any young professional in their 20's and has range of monthly workshops, networking events and a mentoring programme.

We offer great networking and events that are designed to give you key skills to support the early stages of your career. You can attend the monthly SYPG Schmooze events on a casual basis and purchase tickets at the door. 

We also have a Young Entrepreneurs Group for those thinking about going into business or just starting out as a support network.

Who joins the SYPG?
The SYPG has young professional members from all professions so it’s a great way to get contacts from a wide range and make new friends.  We have Uni students and graduates from government departments as well as people working in the arts and the private sector- offering the widest range of professions of any young professional group in the region. For more info read here.

What about just socialising?
At Schmooze we know that all work and no play....well you know! We offer members a range of exclusive social events ranging from wine dinners, hair styling and fashion masterclasses and activities hosted by our members. They also receive offers for a range of services including travel, acommodation, dining, and more. We offer a Social Membership for those just wishing to come along for social reasons, read more here.

Why can't BNI members join Schmooze?
Alas, we found the two groups are mutually incompatible in philosophy and their approach to networking. After complaints from members and guests over an 18 month period on the way some of the BNI members were behaving and breaching our Policies, we took a stand and asked those individuals to leave (with a pro rata refund) and do not accept BNI members at our events.  We felt we had a duty of care to both preserve the cultureof our network and the comfort level for our members and guests.

How do Guest Passes Work?

All members receive virtual Guest Passes when they join which can be used to bring colleagues or friends along to a Schmooze hosted event for free!
Six months membership comes with two Passes and 12 months, four Passes. Here are some quick things to remember:

• If you want to use a Pass just let us know when you RSVP and your guests name
• You don't have to accompany your Guest to the event
• If you want to bring several colleagues from your organisation to an event, you spend your Passes (one per person)
• Example: a Professional Package member wants to come to a Schmooze event with two colleagues from his work, he/she comes for free as a member, and we deduct two Passes for his Guests
• They are forfeit in the event of a no-show (to avoid this just call or email us before the event as a courtesy)
• If you run out, your guests can pay as they go on a casual basis
• You can check how many Passes you have by logging in and viewing your Profile.
• Each Pass is worth $55 and you can purchase more if you run out.
• Once your membership expires they are forfeited and are not rolled over to a new membership if you renew.
• Note, if you had a Corporate membership in 2009, you were transferred over to two Professional memberships and received the double number of Guest Passes!