The Evolution and Impact of OCEAN: Building a Massive Networking Community in Orange County

Overview of Building Networking Communities: The OCEAN Story

• Definition and importance of building networking communities: Building networking communities involves creating platforms where professionals can form connections, share insights, foster collaborations, and support one another’s growth. These communities cultivate trust, provide opportunities, and empower members with access to diverse expertise.

• Introduction to OCEAN: The Orange County Executives and Networking Group: Founded in October 2007, OCEAN emerged as a vibrant networking hub for Orange County professionals, transcending traditional, industry-specific groups by embracing inclusivity and simplicity.

• Founding vision by Todd Herschberg and initial challenges: Todd Herschberg launched OCEAN to solve a local identity problem where Orange County professionals were often grouped under the vast “Greater Los Angeles” umbrella. This lack of distinct professional presence inspired him to create a dedicated community for Orange County to foster real local connections.

Todd Herschberg, founder of OCEAN, explains, “Little did I realize back then that, 18 years later, we’d have 180,000 members here in the county. We seem to have struck a chord.”

Building networking communities requires a keen understanding of local challenges and the needs of professionals. Todd’s vision for OCEAN was not born out of a desire to start another networking group but evolved naturally from his consulting experience and recognition of a critical gap in Orange County’s business ecosystem.

Identifying Gaps in Local Community Networking and OCEAN’s Unique Approach

• Challenges in Orange County’s business networking landscape before OCEAN: Orange County lacked a cohesive business community that celebrated its unique identity. Many professionals found themselves lost in broader regional designations, impeding local networking and collaboration.

• OCEAN’s non-industry-specific, inclusive networking model: OCEAN differentiated itself by welcoming everyone from doctors and lawyers to AI engineers and recent grads, fostering serendipitous connections far beyond industry lines.

• The role of casual mixers without formal agendas in fostering genuine connections: Unlike traditional groups that rely on speakers or set programs, OCEAN’s mixers are unstructured, informal events designed to encourage honest interactions between attendees.

Todd Herschberg shares, “We drop you in a room with 150 other people, some cheap wine, some food platters, and just say, go talk to strangers. That keeps things in motion.”

This radical simplicity invites attendees to engage authentically without pressure, making networking less intimidating and more effective. For introverts or those hesitant to join in-person events, OCEAN complements mixers with robust online platforms, including LinkedIn groups and newsletters, to accommodate different networking preferences.

Networking Opportunities and Growth Milestones in Building Networking Communities

• Steady growth trajectory and the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact: OCEAN experienced gradual monthly increases in members for over a decade, maintaining sustained interest through consistent networking opportunities.

• Surge in membership post-pandemic with 12,000 new members in one month: After COVID-19 restrictions lifted, a surge reflected communities’ hunger for human connection, dramatically accelerating Ocean’s expansion.

• Sustained monthly growth and high retention rates at mixers: Even after the initial boom, Ocean continues to attract thousands of new members monthly, with about a third of mixer attendees being newcomers who often become regular participants.

Year	Membership Growth	Key Milestones
2007	Launch with initial members	First LinkedIn group created
2020	Steady growth of a few hundred per month	Pre-COVID steady state
2022	12,000 new members in one month	Post-COVID surge
2024	180,000 total members	Ongoing expansion and community engagement

Leveraging Social Media and Online Platforms to Enhance Building Networking Communities

• Use of the OCEAN LinkedIn group and newsletters to engage introverts and remote members: OCEAN strategically harnesses LinkedIn’s group functionalities and a robust newsletter to maintain connection and communication, especially for those who prefer virtual networking.

• Balancing in-person mixers with online networking tools: By offering both physical and digital avenues, OCEAN creates an inclusive environment that maximizes member participation regardless of preference or circumstance.

• Email marketing challenges and strategies for large community outreach: Managing communications for over 180,000 members is no small feat; OCEAN sends about 750,000 emails monthly, which requires innovative cost management and engagement tactics.

The Role of Social Media in Sustaining Community Network Engagement

Todd Herschberg notes, “Email is really inexpensive on a per-email basis, but when you’re sending 750,000 emails every month, expenses add up.”

This reality underscores the need for ongoing investment in digital infrastructure to support large-scale building networking communities. Social media tools not only enable broad outreach but also help cultivate ongoing dialogues that foster deeper relationships within the network.

Core Elements That Make Building Networking Communities Stick

• Encouraging active participation over passive lurking: Engagement drives value—members who post, respond, and connect gain the most from the community.

• Fostering a culture of mutual support and service: OCEAN’s philosophy prioritizes serving others’ needs instead of self-promotion, creating trust and goodwill.

• Maintaining momentum through leadership engagement and feedback loops: Active leadership continuously solicits member input and stirs interaction to prevent stagnation.

According to Todd Herschberg, “The focus is on how do I serve you, rather than what’s in it for me. That really keeps things moving forward.”

This service-first mindset is central to OCEAN’s sustained success. Leadership demonstrates consistent dedication to creating opportunities for members to connect authentically and achieve mutual benefit, setting it apart from many networking groups focused primarily on individual gain.

Building Meaningful Connections Across Diverse Industries in Local Community Networks

• Mixing professionals from various fields: doctors, lawyers, AI engineers, entrepreneurs: OCEAN’s inclusive model fosters cross-pollination of ideas by uniting diverse sectors at mixers and online forums.

• Creating opportunities for serendipitous and valuable interactions: The unstructured format encourages spontaneous and potentially transformative connections among attendees.

• Supporting both extroverts and introverts with tailored networking options: While some thrive in lively events, others benefit from online interaction and structured introductions, ensuring everyone finds their networking comfort zone.

Such diversity strengthens the community by broadening perspectives, opening new markets, and inspiring innovation through unexpected collaborations. OCEAN’s deliberate inclusivity is a vital contributor to its growth and value proposition.

Future Directions: Innovating Building Networking Communities with Job Boards and Advisory Boards

• Developing a community-focused job board to address broken traditional models: A new job board aims to revolutionize employment searches by providing affordable, localized opportunities directly from the OCEAN network.

• Launching a board of advisors including attorneys, business leaders, and academics: This advisory board will guide strategic growth and help leverage expert insights to benefit members and the broader community.

• Offering office hours with specialists to support small and mid-sized businesses: Rotating sessions with attorneys, CPAs, marketers, and others will provide ad hoc guidance to help businesses navigate challenges and scale effectively.

Todd Herschberg states, “We’re building a job board for OCEAN to make job searching less expensive and more effective, launching soon in January.”

This next evolution underscores OCEAN’s commitment to delivering tangible value beyond networking—transforming the community into a comprehensive ecosystem for professional growth, support, and opportunity.

People Also Ask: Essential FAQs on Building Networking Communities

• What are the 5 C’s of networking? The five C’s often include Connection, Communication, Consistency, Consideration, and Collaboration, which are critical for nurturing successful relationships.

• How to build a network community? Start by identifying common interests, fostering inclusivity, encouraging active participation, and facilitating meaningful interactions both online and offline.

• What are the 5 C’s of community? They typically refer to Communication, Cooperation, Cohesion, Connection, and Commitment—factors essential to strong community bonds.

• What are the 4 C’s of networking? These usually include Contact, Communication, Cooperation, and Consistency as pillars for maintaining healthy professional relationships.

Key Takeaways on Building Networking Communities

• Building networking communities requires fostering an environment of inclusivity and active engagement to encourage meaningful relationships.

• Combining both in-person events and online platforms like LinkedIn and newsletters maximizes reach, accessibility, and participation.

• Leadership focused on serving members fosters trust, loyalty, and sustained growth, as exemplified by OCEAN’s philosophy.

• Innovations such as dedicated job boards and advisory support are crucial for enhancing the community’s practical value.

The Lasting Impact of Building Networking Communities Like OCEAN

• OCEAN’s journey illustrates that intentional community-building transforms business networking from transactional interactions into lasting professional ecosystems.

• The group’s adaptability and member-centered approach keep it relevant and thriving amid changing social and economic landscapes.

• Ongoing innovation and focus on serving members ensure that building networking communities remains a dynamic, powerful force for local business growth.

If you’re inspired by OCEAN’s story and want to unlock even more value from your professional network, consider exploring the full range of resources and upcoming events on the official OCEAN website. Whether you’re seeking new business opportunities, expert advice, or simply a vibrant community to grow with, OCEAN’s evolving platform is designed to support your journey. Dive deeper into the strategies and innovations that are shaping Orange County’s business landscape, and discover how you can become an active part of this thriving network. Your next big connection or breakthrough could be just one event—or one conversation—away.

• Visit https://theOCEANwebsite.com/ and register for the next OC Community Business Networking Event to experience the power of building networking communities firsthand.

Sources: Interview with Todd Herschberg, founder of OCEAN – Orange County Executives and Networking Group.