Networking is good for business. Really.

My friend and colleague Mac McIntosh and I have been commiserating about the dearth of B2B marketing functions here in the greater Boston area. Each week I scan the Mass HighTech calendar section -- surely something is going on that a chained-to-her-desk marketer can attend and meet people? Like MarketingSherpa's Anne Holland said in her B2B Lead Generation Summit wrap-up, "Networking is worth it." You get away from your computer and office, you meet people, and you exchange ideas, laughs, and stories over a cocktail (or in my case, fizzy water with lime, thanks).

In the process you start new or build upon business relationships. Sometimes a colleague will call you the day after a networking function; other times you don't see the result until months or years later.

All of this is to say I'm pretty excited about attending three events this month:

First in the line up is the What's Working Now in B2B Marketing conference this coming Thursday. If you're in the Cincinnati area, do try and make it. It promises to be a great event. For those of you in the Boston area, be sure to mark November 9 on your calendar. Paul Gillin is speaking on Conversation Marketing at the NEDMA dinner meeting. November 30, Susan O'Neil (whom I adore) is speaking at NEDMA's half-day workshop. O'Neil, CEO of @Web Site Publicity, is presenting "Effective Internet Marketing in a Dynamic and Competitive Environment."

If you're afraid to network, you'll love NEDMA. It's a friendly, warm, and inviting group -- plus they put on excellent programming month after month. (Yes, I'm their PR chair, but really, I've said this for a few years now.) All marketers are welcome -- so come on down!