The Bermuda International Business Association (BIBA) held its College Student Networking Event at the Fairmont Hamilton Princess last week.

Members of Cabinet, including the Premier Alex Scott rubbed shoulders with college students who were accepting business cards from the most prominent businessmen on the Island.

BIBA spokesperson Kirsten White said networking ?helps students make contacts... so when they graduate they have someone to call for jobs. Bermuda?s business community is so small that some say it?s not what you know but who you know. But BIBA says it is what you know... but knowing the right person can get your foot in the door,? Ms White said.

Jamari Douglas, 19 and Kenton Trott, 18 said they were making full use of the opportunity to meet influential business leaders and members of Government.

Mr. Douglas said he found the networking event ?most interesting?.

?I love to talk,? he said.

Mr. Trott said the best part of the evening?s socialising was ?meeting people from all different sectors.

?I am a people person,? he said.

Mr. Trott said he ?was not nervous? about going to the event.

?I do it all the time,? he said.

Premier Alex Scott said ?it was one thing to be told about international business giving encouragement to young people, but it was another thing to experience it. Young men are here... It is an excellent occasion. It is something parents should come and see. There are no better spokesmen than the family,? Mr. Scott said.

Legislative Affairs Minister Michael Scott said the organisers were ?very savvy to have the initiative to encourage the new kids on the block who were about the enter the economy of Bermuda, and give them the opportunity to network. It is the way it is done. Bermuda has the best business model in the world. It is a marvellous opportunity,? he said.

Education Minister Terry Lister, said he hoped that the companies who sponsored the event got a return on their investment by hiring students afterwards.

?This experience is a two-way street. Companies are making an investment by setting it up, giving time of staff. I want to know that students are following up. Students are encouraged to join the companies at Christmas and summer each year before going back to school,? he said.

BIBA spokesperson Kristen White said that she attained her position by attending the same networking event four years ago.

?When I attended the event in 2000 I was introduced to BIBA and now I work for them,? Ms White said.

She said that before the college students left the event, they all were supposed to have three contact numbers.

She would then e-mail the registered students to remind them to talk to their new contacts.

?They should follow up with the contacts they met,? she said.