Referral Marketing & Networking Master Class 2026

Referral Marketing & Networking Master Class 2026
Build Relationships That Actually Grow Your Business

If you’ve ever left a networking event with a stack of business cards and nothing to show for it, this class is for you.

Referral Marketing & Networking Master Class is the first of Gery Deer’s highly regarded workshop series for 2026—refined, expanded, and sharpened based on real-world results and participant feedback. This is not about working the room harder. It’s about working smarter and building a sustainable referral pipeline that continues to pay dividends long after the event ends.

On Wednesday, February 4, 2026, from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM, join us at the Entrepreneur Center at the Hub, Dayton Arcade, for an interactive, practical session that will permanently change how you approach networking.

Most professionals use the words networking and referral marketing interchangeably. That misunderstanding is precisely why so many people waste time, money, and energy with little return.

As Gery Deer puts it:
“Strategic networking creates the opportunity for referral marketing partnerships and lifelong professional success.”

In the Referral Marketing & Networking Master Class, Gery—founder and creative director of GLD Communications, a public relations and media firm built almost entirely on referrals—walks you through how to turn conversations into collaborations and contacts into long-term partners intentionally.

With nearly three decades of experience growing a business through referrals, Gery doesn’t offer theory. He provides tested strategies, real examples, and a clear framework you can begin using immediately.

During this fast-paced and engaging session, you’ll learn how to:

· Reframe how you think and talk about referral marketing

· Become intentional and strategic about where—and how—you network

· Identify high-value referral partners based on role, industry, and influence

· Start meaningful conversations that naturally lead to partnerships

· Build a referral pipeline designed to last for years, not months

Referral Marketing & Networking Master Class also delves deeper into evaluating networking organizations and environments, helping you present yourself more effectively to new people, decide where your time will deliver the greatest return, and follow through more effectively. You’ll learn how to maximize the groups you’re already part of—and when it might be time to rethink them altogether.

This session is ideal for business owners, entrepreneurs, sales professionals, consultants, and anyone who wants consistent, qualified introductions—without cold calls or endless networking events.

About your course leader:

Gery Deer is a communications strategist, writer, and business development professional with decades of experience helping individuals and organizations grow through authentic relationship-based marketing. As the founder of GLD Communications, Gery specializes in referral marketing, networking strategy, storytelling, and brand positioning for entrepreneurs, nonprofits, and community-focused businesses.

Known for his practical, no-nonsense approach, Gery teaches professionals to move beyond awkward introductions and transactional exchanges to build genuine connections that drive long-term referrals and measurable growth. His referral marketing and networking programs are based on his experience building his company from scratch in 1998 through referral marketing and relationship development. His master class focuses on clarity of message, intentional relationship-building, and consistent follow-through—skills that work whether you are a solo professional, a sales leader, or a community advocate.

In addition to his work as a consultant and instructor, Gery is an award-winning newspaper columnist and workshop facilitator whose “Deer in Headlines” series has appeared in publications across the Midwest. He has presented classes and workshops at conferences, retreats, chambers of commerce, and professional associations, where his engaging style and real-world examples help participants immediately apply what they learn.

Gery believes the most effective networking doesn’t start with “What do you do?” but with curiosity, trust, and service. His teaching blends strategy with storytelling, offering students clear tools they can use the very next day to strengthen relationships, increase referrals, and grow with intention.

What to bring:
A pen and paper, business cards, and a smartphone, tablet, or laptop for LinkedIn and Google access. Most importantly, bring a willingness to think differently about how business relationships are built.

Investment: $99 per person, or Buy One Get One Free (includes lunch)
Date & Time: Wednesday, February 4, 2026 | 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Location: Entrepreneur Center at the Hub, Dayton Arcade
Address: 31 South Main Street, Dayton, OH 45402

Everyone in the room will be there for the same reason—to build meaningful referral relationships. Referral Marketing & Networking Master Class isn’t just a workshop. It’s the starting point for a more innovative, more profitable way to grow your business.

Additional Workshops are coming in 2026 as well, including (tentatively):

Q2 May 2026 – The State of the Media

Q3 August 2026 – The Professional Narrative

Q4 October 2026 – Personal Brand Master Class

Full course schedules to be announced. Subscribe to our Eventbrite page for notifications.

Info: Grab some lunch and get to know your classmates.

Info: Down to business.

Info: A quick intermission.

Info: Act II of our workshop.

Info: Time for questions and answers. We will also provide information on one-on-one coaching and upcoming workshops.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Arcade Innovation Hub, 31 South Main Street, Dayton, United States

Concerts, fests, parties, meetups - all the happenings, one place.

Get App