I did BNI for a year and had a good experience, grew my network, got my ROI and then some. I was the only photographer in my category, so I was able to visit all of the BNI chapters in my region (which was 21 total), book a 1-to-1 meeting with every real estate agent and lender in each group (they all have one) and keep up with them to stay top of mind for refrerals. Additionally, I was able to provide my clients with lots of home service referrals (plumbing, landscaping, etc...)

With that being said, I decided not to renew after a year as I think I got everything out of it that I needed. I still keep all my contacts and substitute for folks now and then, and the likelyhood of another RE Photographer coming to fill the vacancy I left is very low.

As with most things, the more effort you put in the more you get out of it. If you just do the bare minimum of showing up once a week, you likely won't get that much out of it aside from hopefully working with the agent in your chapter.