Without relying on advertising or cold calling, a business community of small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) owners generates 120 billion yen in business annually through trust-based 'referrals' between members.

This unique community, BNI, has reached its 20th year of operation in Japan.

As many SMEs struggle with customer acquisition due to shortages in sales personnel, intensifying competition in social media advertising, and rising unit costs, BNI has continued to grow steadily for two decades by enabling members to generate business for one another through referrals from trusted connections.

JBN International Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Mitaka, Tokyo), the operator of BNI (Business Network International) in Japan, will hold the 'BNI Japan National Conference 2026' on April 28 (Tue) and April 29 (Wed/Holiday), 2026, at the Tokyo Big Sight South Exhibition Halls 1 & 2 to commemorate the 20th anniversary of its establishment in Japan.

This event is the largest business referral event in Japan, bringing together approximately 2,500 SME owners and entrepreneurs from across the country and abroad, with a focus on BNI members.

◼️ BNI Japan National Conference 2026 At this conference, business owners and entrepreneurs from all over the country will gather to share success stories born from business referrals and engage in networking with one another.

There will also be award sessions to recognize contributions to the community, serving as a venue that embodies BNI's philosophy of 'Givers Gain®'.

◼️ Business owners who have changed their lives will take the stage In addition to lectures by leading Japanese business executives and authors, this conference will feature 'real-life success stories' shared by SME owners active in BNI chapters across various regions.

Key speakers: Ken Honda (Author) Shuji Tanaka (Chairman of the Board, OWNDAYS Co., Ltd.) Osamu Nagone (Representative Director, High Performance Co., Ltd.) Masunori Ohno (National Director, BNI Japan)

◼️ What is BNI? BNI is one of the world's largest business referral organizations, founded in the United States in 1985. Members build relationships of trust and support each other's business growth by providing referrals.

Japan Statistics (as of March 2026) - 380 chapters - 12,690 members - 1.06 million referrals (last 12 months) - 123.7 billion yen in business generated (last 12 months)

Global Statistics (as of March 2026) - Over 11,600 chapters - 345,000 members - 17.6 million referrals (last 12 months) - 27.1 billion USD in business generated (last 12 months)

◼️ Related Networking Events During the conference, various events will be held to allow participants to network and create business opportunities.

Main programs: - Exhibition booths (over 80 exhibitors, held concurrently with the National Conference) - International Welcome Evening (approx. 500 people, held on April 27) - Networking Reception (approx. 600 people, held on April 28) - Charity Golf Competition (approx. 70 people, held on April 27)

Proceeds from the charity events will be donated to the BNI Foundation Japan and used for community contribution activities.

◼️ Event Overview [Event Name] BNI Japan National Conference 2026

[Date and Time] April 28, 2026 (Tue) 10:30 - 17:30 (Registration starts at 9:00) April 29, 2026 (Wed/Holiday) 10:30 - 17:30 (Registration starts at 9:00)

[Venue] Tokyo Big Sight, South Exhibition Halls 1 & 2

[Number of Participants] Approx. 3,000

[Organizer] JBN International Co., Ltd. (BNI Japan)

[Special Website] https://events.bninc.jp/event/2026/

◼️ Company Overview Company Name: JBN International Co., Ltd. (BNI Japan / BNI National Office) Address: Neo City Mitaka 9F, 3-35-1 Shimorenjaku, Mitaka, Tokyo Representative: Masunori Ohno, Representative Director Established: April 2006 Capital: 10 million yen Business Description: Providing membership-based marketing services utilizing referrals for business owners, entrepreneurs, and corporate sales representatives URL: https://www.bni.jp

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  • Source: PR TIMES
  • Category: event