How we started
The Story of A.M. Referral Partners
Friends who wanted to meet face to face
Many of our founding members had been networking together for over a decade in another organization. When the COVID-19 pandemic struck in early 2020, that group shifted to Zoom. Virtual networking worked for some, but our members preferred face-to-face connections. Attendance dwindled, and many left in search of something different.
A new group — and a gazebo
By August 2020, a group of former members decided to take matters into their own hands. They reached out to others who had left and founded A.M. Referral Partners — named for our weekly Thursday morning meetings.
Our first meeting, on September 10, 2020, took place outdoors under the gazebo at Vandergriff Park in Arlington. With no vaccines or effective treatments available yet, we met in the open air where we could social distance.
Our home at Rudy's Bar-B-Q
As temperatures dropped in November 2020, we moved indoors to Rudy's Bar-B-Q, where we continue to meet today — every Thursday at 8:00 AM. Arrive by 7:45 for fellowship.
Structured · accountable · exclusive
A Networking Group Built for Success
From the beginning we wanted a structured, accountable and exclusive networking experience. We limited membership to one person per business category and began tracking key success metrics:
As social media became an important referral tool, we also started tracking Social Media Leads — connections made through Facebook groups, Nextdoor and other platforms.
A Unique Meeting Structure
New tablemates every month
People naturally gravitate to the same seats. We randomize seating monthly so members regularly get to know different people.
1st & 3rd weeks
Each member has one minute to introduce their business.
2nd & 4th weeks
Small-group table discussions on suggested topics or open conversation.
Combined with one-on-one meetings outside our regular sessions, this structure helps us live out our tagline:
Business Referrals Between Friends
The numbers
A Track Record of Growth & Success
Business passed
Closed business reported through Thank-You-For-Business slips.
* 2020 starts Sep 10; 2026 is year to date.
| Year | Total | Avg / week |
|---|---|---|
| 2026* | $1,101,813 | $27,545 |
| 2025 | $2,155,236 | $41,447 |
| 2024 | $4,036,157 | $77,618 |
| 2023 | $2,445,575 | $47,030 |
| 2022 | $4,741,297 | $91,179 |
| 2021 | $2,002,295 | $38,506 |
| 2020* | $102,260 | $6,391 |
| All years | $16,584,633 | $52,317 |
Activity by year
What members give each other, week after week.
Swipe the table sideways to see all columns →| Year | Referrals | Social media leads | Personal meetings | Testimonials | Guests |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 128 | 39 | 161 | 38 | 17 |
| 2025 | 167 | 61 | 49 | 40 | 16 |
| 2024 | 208 | 126 | 98 | 50 | 25 |
| 2023 | 371 | 153 | 147 | 43 | 24 |
| 2022 | 308 | 99 | 39 | 52 | 18 |
| 2021 | 401 | 61 | 57 | 147 | 28 |
| 2020 | 187 | 0 | 22 | 21 | 49 |
| All years | 1,770 | 539 | 573 | 391 | 177 |
Is There a Seat for You?
We're a friendly, supportive, business-focused group committed to helping each other grow. See whether your industry's chair is available, then tell us about yourself.
Tell us about yourself Meet our members