Should we set a different category or categories of membership for the larger employers in the region?

On many occaisions people have asked me (Simon) if I could introduce another level of membership. Currently there is just one - Full members which entitles members to attend all the twice monthly meetings and to invoke, at their choice, an exclusivity clause that precludes any competitors from joining the club. The majority choose this option although some are relaxed having competitors present.

Currently anyone can visit the club as long as the meeting is open (closed meetings are for members only) and they have placed a courtesy call to a member who might be a competitor.

The challenge is that we would like to attract employees of local organisations who might attend the club less regularly but still take advantage of the community. An example is 3M Healthcare - they are less likely to want to use the club as a marketing vehicle but it might support their corporate and social responsibility / PR agenda and they may find services represented in the club which help them make/save money.

We are aware that speakers in the past have commented that they feel a little like a honey pot attracting the members and guests who swarm around them armed with their business cards! We have made every effort to prevent this happening and approach the practice of forging new business relationships through networking in an assured and professional manner in keeping with the atmosphere we have carefully cultivated in the clubs.

Also we have had visitors from major institutions e.g. Leicester Tigers and De Montford University who would welcome the opportunity of joining the club but would never be able to make all the meetings due to the distance they would have to travel.

What do you think we could offer, say an affiliate membership, that would make the business club offering compelling enough for someone in your organisation (or similar to your own) to want to join?