An established business networking group founded in 2011.

Dragons of Newport has a broad range of businesses as members and we are actively looking to grow the membership by adding 2 or 3 businesses people that share the same values as our membership.

The categories we’d invite to attend a meeting with a view to joining are:

• Printing Company
• Graphics Designer
• Promotional Goods
• Commercial Insurance
• Electrician, Plumber and other trades
• And others

We welcome guests, at most weekly meetings we have at least one attending. However, Dragons of Newport is an exclusive, closed networking group, meaning only one person per business sector or business service, therefore this one criteria extends to guests visiting. If the business sector you work in or the services you provide are not already provided by a Dragons member, you are welcome to attend for up to two meetings, for free. Please send a message and we can confirm if your sector/services are open, if not, we can get you booked in and look forward to welcoming you at a weekly meeting.

We meet at Hortons Lounge, which is at Millennium Walk, Newport, NP19 0NX. Find Hortons on Google Maps.

Not much. It helps to have a rough idea of your 60-second introduction – who you are, what you do, and who you’re looking to connect with. Business cards are useful but not essential. Just turn up ready to have a conversation.

A lot of our most active members said exactly the same thing before their first visit. The group is intentionally welcoming to first-timers, and the structured meeting format means you’ll never be left wondering what to do or say. You’ll be guided through it.

None whatsoever. Guest visits are completely obligation-free. You’re welcome to come along, see how it works, and take your time deciding whether it’s right for you. You can visit twice before making any decision.

Absolutely. We operate one member per profession for full members, but any business owner or professional is welcome to attend as a guest and see the group in action, regardless of whether a category is currently available.

Membership is £150 per year plus £40 per month. The monthly fee includes breakfast at every weekly meeting. There are no hidden costs or sign-up fees.

Members are expected to attend regularly – consistency is what makes the referral network work. That said, life happens, and the group is understanding about occasional absences. We’d ask that you’re committed to being there for at least 80% of weekly meetings. By the way, you can also send a ‘sub’ in your place if you can’t make a meeting, but this is optional (unless you want to keep your attendance percentage up).

We operate an exclusive category model – one member per profession – so if your category is currently filled, there wouldn’t be a place available right now. Get in touch and we’ll let you know whether your category is open, and we can add you to a waiting list if needed.

Yes – and we’d encourage it. You’re welcome to attend up to two weekly meetings as a guest, completely free and with no obligation. It’s the best way to get a feel for the group before making any commitment.

Once you’ve visited and decided you’d like to apply, the process is straightforward. Fill in the application form, and we’ll be in touch to discuss next steps. We aim to turn things around quickly so you’re not left waiting.

We’d obviously be sorry to see you go, but membership isn’t a long-term lock-in. If you have any concerns at any point, we’d rather have an honest conversation than have someone stay who isn’t getting value from it.

We meet every Wednesday morning at 7:15am at Horton’s Lounge, Millennium Walk, Newport, NP19 0NX. The meeting starts properly at 7:30am and finishes by 9:00am, so you’re back at your desk before the working day properly starts. You can find Horton’s on Google Maps.

Every meeting follows a clear, friendly structure. You’ll arrive from around 7:15am, grab a coffee and have a chance to chat informally before the meeting starts at 7:30am. From there, every person in the room gets 60 seconds to introduce themselves and their business, one member gives a longer spotlight presentation, and there’s time set aside for sharing referrals, testimonials and thanks for business passed. Meetings close by 9:00am. After the meeting, members are encouraged to set up one-to-one conversations to deepen relationships and explore referral opportunities further.

From 7:30am to 9:00am — 90 minutes in total. We’d recommend arriving at 7:15am to give yourself time to settle in and meet people before the formal part of the meeting begins.

Not much. It helps to have a rough idea of your 60-second introduction — who you are, what you do, and who you’re looking to connect with. Business cards are useful but not essential. If you’re visiting as a guest for the first time, our Visitor Information page has everything you need to know.

Yes — breakfast is included as part of membership (covered by the £40 monthly fee). Guests attending their first two free visits also receive breakfast at no extra cost.

Yes — guests are always welcome at weekly meetings, subject to the usual category check (we only allow one person per business sector at any one time). Just let us know in advance so we can confirm their sector is open and make sure there’s space.

Horton’s Lounge is located at Millennium Walk, Newport, NP19 0NX, close to Newport city centre and Rodney Parade. There is paid parking available nearby. Find Horton’s Lounge on Google Maps for directions and parking options.

Every person in the room — members and guests alike — gets 60 seconds to introduce themselves at the start of each meeting. A good 60-second intro covers your name, your business, what you do, and who you’re ideally looking to be introduced to. It doesn’t need to be scripted or polished — just clear and natural. Our Visitor Information page has tips on how to prepare yours.

At each weekly meeting, one member takes a longer slot — usually around 10 minutes — to present their business in more depth to the whole group. It’s a chance to go beyond the 60-second intro and really help fellow members understand what you do, who you serve and what a good referral looks like for you. Every member gets this opportunity on a rotating basis.

Outside of the weekly Wednesday sessions, members are encouraged to arrange focused one-to-one conversations with each other. These shorter, more personal meetings are where a lot of the best referral relationships are built — they give you the chance to really understand another member’s business and find ways to support each other that wouldn’t naturally come up in the group setting.

The Big Breakfast is a quarterly business networking event open to all local businesses — you don’t need to be a Dragons of Newport member to attend. Held at Rodney Parade, Newport, the event regularly brings together over 100 local business owners, directors and decision-makers for two hours of structured, friendly networking, a guest speaker and a light breakfast. It’s one of the most well-attended business networking events in South Wales.

The next Dragons of Newport Big Breakfast takes place on Wednesday 22nd April 2026, 7:00am–9:00am at The Bisley Suite, Rodney Parade, Newport.

Tickets are £5 per person and include a light breakfast. Pre-registration is essential as places are limited. Book your place via Eventbrite or through dragonsofnewport.com.

No — the Big Breakfast is open to everyone. Any local business owner, director or professional is welcome to attend, regardless of whether they are a Dragons member or not.

The event runs from 7:00am to 9:00am and features structured, facilitated networking sessions that give every attendee multiple opportunities to introduce their business and make meaningful new connections. There’s a light breakfast included, a relaxed and friendly atmosphere, and a short guest speaker slot covering a topic relevant to local SMEs.

Over 100 local business owners, directors and decision-makers from Newport and the wider South Wales area. Attendees come from a wide range of sectors — from professional services and finance to trades, hospitality, health and beyond. It’s one of the best opportunities in Newport to meet a large number of relevant local business contacts in a single morning.

Yes — each Big Breakfast features a short, practical talk from a local business expert. At the April 2026 event, guest speaker Lee Monroe, Director of The HR Dept South Wales, will be sharing insights on upcoming employment law changes that affect SMEs — including unfair dismissal rights, parental leave updates and Statutory Sick Pay changes.

Tickets are available via Eventbrite or through dragonsofnewport.com. Pre-registration is essential as places are limited and the event regularly sells out. Early booking is strongly recommended.

The Big Breakfast is held quarterly — at least twice a year, often more. Keep an eye on the Events page or follow us on Facebook to be the first to hear about upcoming dates.

Yes — sponsorship opportunities are available for future Big Breakfast events. As a sponsor you’ll receive prominent branding at the event, recognition across all pre-event marketing (email, social media and the Dragons website) and an introduction to the room on the day. Get in touch via the contact page to find out more.

Business cards are useful but not essential — many attendees connect via LinkedIn. Come prepared with a clear, confident introduction to yourself and your business. There’s no formal dress code but most attendees come in smart casual business attire.

The Big Breakfast is held at The Bisley Suite, Rodney Parade, Newport. Parking is available at Rodney Parade and in the surrounding area. Find Rodney Parade on Google Maps for directions.