Frequently Asked Questions
About The Alliance of Professional Women:
Who is eligible to join The Alliance?
Anyone! Our focus is on networking for professional women, so it helps if you fall into that category, but other than that we have an incredibly diverse membership. We have women just starting out in their careers, retirees, and women at all stages in between. We have engineers, doctors, accountants and attorneys and we have authors, life coaches, holistic health practitioners and image consultants. We have entrepreneurs and members of some of the largest firms in Denver. We have women who work full-time and part-time. Our focus is bringing together women of all professions.
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What professions are represented? Do you limit how many members in each
profession can join? For example, would you limit the number of real estate
agents you would allow to join the APW?
Most professions are represented and we never limit how many members in each profession can join. Somehow, we never seem to have “too many” members in any one profession. Our membership is incredibly diverse, which is one of the many advantages of membership in the APW. It doesn’t matter if you’re looking for an attorney, a real estate agent or a caterer, you’ll be able to find someone within our membership to meet that need. Also, access to such a diverse cross-section of professions gives our members the opportunity to learn businesses practices and strategies that might work for their business, too. Take a look at all the professions represented and our membership list.
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How much does it cost to join?
There are several membership levels to meet your needs. Learn more about each membership level and its cost here. Individual memberships start as low as $150 per year. Throughout the year, we frequently run promotions where we will discount your membership by $25 if you join at one of our events. Check out our upcoming events for more information. A portion of every membership goes to support the Alliance Foundation. Still have questions about the membership levels? Call us! (303) 368-4747.
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How often do you have networking luncheons? Where do you meet?
We have Networking Luncheons once a month - usually the second Thursday of the month. We meet all over the Denver metro area. We do this for a few reasons. First, we want to accommodate our members no matter where they are geographically. Second, we’re known for hitting some of the newest and most highly reviewed restaurants and venues in the city. Our Networking Events committee scours publications like 5280 and the Denver Post to find the hottest culinary locales for our events.
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What happens at luncheons?
We all have a fantastic time. Luncheon check-in usually starts around 11:30 am. Be sure to bring lots of business cards. At the registration desk, you’ll pick up your entrée choice card and put one of your business cards into a basket for that day’s drawings. We offer fabulous door prizes - theater tickets, spa services, flowers and more! From 11:30 am to noon it’s all about mingling and getting to know some of the most fastastic people you’ll ever meet. Here’s the great thing about our luncheons: women tell us that the friendly and relaxed atmosphere puts them at ease immediately. This is one of the many things that sets us apart from other networking organizations.
At noon everyone is seated and the luncheon program begins. If the luncheon is sponsored, the sponsor speaks for 3-5 minutes. There are usually some announcements and, of course, the business card drawings. Then a fun “luncheon question” is suggested to stimulate even more conversation at the tables. The luncheons end promptly at 1:00 pm, but we typically see members and guests still chatting as late as 1:30 pm. And that’s great, because we’re about building relationships.
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How much do the luncheons and events cost?
The price for luncheons and events varies. Typically our Networking Luncheons are $25 for members and $35 for non-members. The cost includes everything except occasionally (especially downtown) the attendee is responsible for paying for parking. Luncheons include beverage, salads, dessert and usually a choice of three different entrees. We do accommodate special dietary needs (like gluten or dairy free). Occasionally special luncheons will be at a higher price point - when you click on the “Details and RSVP” link for each event, you can read more about the pricing. Business After Hours events are typically $35 per person. The fundraising event ticket prices vary as well.
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How old is the organization?
The Alliance of Professional Women has been bringing professional women in Denver together for over 24 years.
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How many members are in The Alliance?
We currently have about 250 members. Our total e-distribution for our monthly newsletter, The Communique, is about 2,500 professional women in Denver and our total mail distribution is about 4,000 professional women in Denver. As a member, you have the option to purchase hard-copy mailing labels - a great opportunity to get the word out about your business!
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Is The Alliance a part of a larger chain or is it primarily local?
No, the Alliance of Professional Women is not a part of a national organization. We are affiliated with The International Alliance of Women through our Alliance Foundation - both organizations have as their mission to help impoverished women in developing nations to build businesses and provide them with continuing income and a better economy in their village through small business loans. It’s called Microcredit and it’s gotten a lot of press lately. More than a donation, it’s a wonderful way to provide women who wouldn’t otherwise have access to capital at reasonable interest rates a way to start their own business. As their businesses thrive and they pay back the loans (which 97% do), they provide an even bigger fund to provide loans to more women. A portion of every APW membership goes to benefit the Alliance Foundation. Go to the Alliance Foundation webpage to learn more.
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Can I attend a networking luncheon before joining?
Absolutely, in fact, we recommend it. Our Networking Luncheons are hands-down the best way to get a feel for the Alliance of Professional Women. Usually people know within one or two luncheons whether or not the APW is a fit for them. And, we are proud to say, most of our non-member luncheon attendees decide to join.
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What are the benefits of joining The Alliance?
There are so many and it really depends on the individual and what you’re looking for in an women’s organization. All of our members are involved for the opportunity to meet, build relationships with and refer and be referred to an incredible group of professional women. Some members are really involved philanthropically through our Outreach Committee and our Alliance Foundation. Some members enjoy the leadership development they get from serving on the APW Board.
A lot of our members take advantage of our Roundtable program - joining “mastermind” groups of informal business professionals. Many of our accountants and attorneys appreciate our Continuing Education courses. Some members express their “inner writer” by contributing to our monthly newsletter, The Communique. Other members get really involved politically and stay aware of what’s on the legislative agenda affecting women in Colorado and nationally through our Public Affairs Committee. We’d say everybody loves the APW’s “fun factor” - our fabulous fundraising events, our Wine Cheese and Chocolate Tasting event, our Spa Night, our giveaways and business card drawings.
And recently we added the exciting Business After Hours Success Series, quarterly events designed to educate our members on up-to-date professional topics. Each Success Series will feature an experienced APW speaker who will share insights in her area of expertise.
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How do I join The Alliance?
That’s an easy one. You can either join and pay on-line or you can come to one of our events and join there. To get more information by mail, simply fill out our Get More Information form. Still have questions? Call us: (303) 368-4747
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