Atlanta, GA, April 15, 2013 –(PR.com)– The Joy of Connecting, a nationwide professional women’s networking organization headquartered in Atlanta, today unveiled its new logo, mission statement, website and name – Xperience Connections – reflecting an expanded offering of networking, education and personal growth “Xperiences” to equip professional women to take their businesses to the next level.

The Joy of Connecting (JOC) was launched in August 2002 by Bonnie Ross-Parker, known worldwide as “America’s Connection Diva” and a multi-dimensional entrepreneur and bestselling author of the books “Walk In My Boots ~ The Joy of Connecting,” “Y.O.U. Set A High Standard for Being Human,” and “42 Rules for Effective Connections.” Ross-Parker established JOC with a vision to expand licensed networking events nationwide, offering professional women a relaxed networking environment that’s conducive to cultivating high-value, high-trust relationships with like-minded business leaders.

While the original vision for JOC remains intact, the new brand represents a renaissance of sorts, with an enhanced meeting format and focus on developing online resources that equip attendees to “Xperience Connections” beyond the event itself.

Who stands to benefit the most from the Xperience Connections? “If you’re a professional business woman who’s passionate about generating new business leads, growing personally and professionally, and leading your organization with integrity, then we’d love for you to ‘Xperience Connections’ at one of our local events,” said Ross-Parker, now chief executive officer for Xperience Connections.

Each Xperience Connections (XC) monthly networking event costs $20 to attend and does not require membership dues to participate. This gives busy professionals the flexibility to pay only for those events they’re able to attend, ensuring they receive maximum value for their marketing investment.

The monthly events are facilitated by locally licensed XC Leaders, usually at their homes or places of business, and last approximately two to two and half hours. During this time, attendees receive a folder with a complete roster of all others attending the meeting and a personalized name tag so they can focus their attention on building connections, not on collecting business cards. Before the business part of the program begins, 45 minutes is set aside for participants to share a meal and engage in casual social time, providing a comfortable setting for them to get to know new people on a more personal level.

During the program, the XC Leader facilitates a 10-minute business education workshop in a format that allows for sharing of “best practices” by attendees in the group, so that everyone has the opportunity to contribute – and learn from others’ real-world experiences.

Participants also get to talk about their businesses. But unlike most networking organizations that allow for only 30 seconds to one minute for attendees to promote their products and services, the new XC format gives professional women the opportunity to speak on a deeper level, with three minutes to share about their business and what they’re looking for in new business referrals.

“The bottom line is that every one walks away from each event with new connections, new ideas, and new inspiration to take their businesses to a higher, more profitable level,” said Ross-Parker.

And after the XC event is over, attendees and leaders can now tap into the new Xperience Connections’ website (www.XperienceConnections.com), with online resources to continue expanding their networks and business opportunities. The Xperience Connections Blog (www.XperienceConnections.com/blog) features articles written by professional women, for professional women, offering a wealth of practical business know-how and inspiration. A sister website will also launch the week of April 15, “Your Learning Library” (www.YourLearningLibrary.com), with hundreds of audio and e-book resources to help professional women network more effectively – and profitably.

“The dynamic forum and resources that Xperience Connections offers professional women to promote their businesses far exceed the quality of any other networking organization I’ve seen,” said Jennifer Riis-Poulsen, founder and chief executive officer of Powerhouse Self-Defense LLC (www.powerhouseselfdefense.com) and a licensed XC Leader in Roswell, Ga. “If you truly want to grow your business, there’s no more effective way than through Xperience Connections.”

To find a local Xperience Connections event or learn more about what it takes to become a licensed XC Leader, visit www.XperienceConnections.com. On the home page, visitors can also sign up to download a free copy of Bonnie Ross-Parker’s bestselling video “Networking Know-How.”

About Xperience Connections

Xperience Connections (XC), originally launched as The Joy of Connecting in 2002 by “America’s Connection Diva” Bonnie Ross-Parker, is a nationwide networking organization for professional women who are passionate about growing their professional connections – and business bottom line.

Headquartered in Atlanta, with licensed events held in cities across the U.S., Xperience Connections exists to encourage and facilitate the growth, performance and integrity of professional women by creating opportunities to foster relationships through a creative exchange of information and referrals.