5 tips for successful networking at your event

Today's events are no longer just about listening to speakers or attending conferences. Events are also about making meaningful connections and building networks with other attendees. The more networking opportunities an event provides to its attendees, the better.

When attendees leave your events, they will ask themselves: "How many meaningful connections did I make today?". Attendees will measure your event by this, and it will influence whether they attend your future events, meetings, and conferences.

But how do you make it easier for attendees to connect at your events? Here are 5 tips:

Create a buzz with an online community even before the event

The key to successful networking is to start connecting like-minded attendees as early as possible. Ideally, they should be able to identify networking opportunities right after registering for your event.

Creating a closed online community that attendees gain access to immediately after registering for the event is a great way to kick-start networking several days or even weeks before your event. Your pre-event online community should be welcoming enough for registered attendees to start conversing with each other. You can also incorporate the pre-event community into your event app for convenient and easier access to it. In addition to making the most of networking, this also helps generate excitement for the event itself, and thereby increase the number of attendees.

Create a well-thought-out networking strategy

Although there are many lasting business contacts that have been made by pure chance, attendees will definitely appreciate it if you put in place a well-thought-out plan so they can meet the right people during your event.

Using a networking platform for events can help you with this. You can arrange small break sections for attendees to join, help them organize their schedule by allocating time blocks to meet certain people, and create more intimate personal meetings with exhibitors and speakers with resources.

Make use of digital badges

According to bestselling author Kevin Daum: "When networking, you're trying to connect with those who can help you. These may be customers, connectors, mentors, or other people who have value for your business. But not everyone in the room is worth your time. You want to build a relationship with those who are. And business cards rarely kick-start that relationship."

Instead of traditional paper business cards, you can use modern digital badges. At the push of a button, your attendees can exchange contact information, which makes networking easier (and honestly, it's more fun!). These digital badges can easily be linked to your mobile event app to create a cohesive event technology experience.

What's more, smart badges are often equipped with technology that allows you to record important event data, such as the most visited booths, the most interesting exhibitors, etc.

Explore creative bonding activities

If you think your event's attendees have a taste for less formal networking activities, then exploring more creative and playful activities can be an effective networking strategy. For example, speed networking is becoming increasingly popular and allows even the most introverted attendees to make meaningful connections during your event. Similar to speed dating, each attendee spends a limited amount of time with another attendee. Of course, the necessary due diligence needs to be done before the event so that this activity is organized in a way that brings like-minded attendees together in the same sessions. Digital badges can also be used to easily exchange contact details.

Create spaces suitable for networking

Many of your events won't be focused solely on networking, especially business and product events. The key is to create spaces suitable for networking and smaller networking activities that serve as a supplementary program to your main event.

What might these activities be?

• Networking hubs - Turn shared spaces, such as coffee stands, lounges, refreshment areas, etc., into networking corners.
• Idea wall - allow attendees to share their ideas along with their contact details so that all the other attendees can see them. This too can be handled digitally these days. Whether directly in your event app or with a good old flipchart.

Conclusion

Networking with complete strangers can seem daunting even for the most experienced professionals, but with the right preparation it can be a little less daunting.

Technology has changed the face of events. In the past, you walked into an event blindfolded as to who you would meet. Now, thanks to the ability to schedule meetings in advance, share calendars, and even research some potential attendees, you can genuinely look forward to meeting strangers and being able to socialize with the very best.

As many conferences and other events transition to a hybrid model, organizers and sponsors have to find ways to keep audiences engaged and provide them with networking opportunities without distracting from the sessions, speakers, and the overall event.

Technologies such as mobile devices and social networks are here to stay, and we believe that event organizers will continue to look for innovative ways to leverage them and make networking at events more effective.