PROFESSIONAL NETWORKING EVENT IDEAS

A professional networking event is the perfect way to assist each other achieve certain business

goals. If you happen to be in charge of planning this sort of event, you need to try and make the

event useful and interesting for all who attend. The whole idea is to encourage attendance and

help people connect. There are more than several ways to make it a success.

When planning a professional networking event, one of the first decisions to be made after doing

quite a bit of brainstorming is choosing the venue. The entire idea of a networking affair is to

bring all types of people together to talk and discuss things which interest them most, so any sort

of sit-down which confines the guests just to one table is not ideal. A larger open space should be

considered where they can freely walk around and mingle with each other. Cocktail hour at a bar,

meeting halls in hotels or colleges work best because there’s plenty of room, and no one will feel

confined.

The more people you get to converse with and business cards to exchange, the better. Business

stations can be set up at any corner of the room and can help to reduce tension. Once guests

arrive at the event, it can be intimidating

especially if everyone is a stranger, but these

business stations can offer warm welcomes

throughout the venue. Everyone can move

between the stations clearly marked with what

the business contacts are offering, or are

knowledgeable of, and people can pick and

choose as to whom they wish to talk to.

Another effective idea is to appoint a number of people who are basically there for introductions

only. They can help connect key guests with others, and theses assigned individuals should learn

about each other beforehand in order to offer a proper introduction. Sometimes, that’s all that’s

needed to get a conversation rolling. Make sure the people you choose to appoint are eager to

communicate and have somewhat of an outgoing personality though.

Also, the key leader of the professional networking event should offer a short presentation once

everyone arrives. They can mention what the purpose of the event is and introduce key guests.

Encouragement of all participants to offer a handshake to s stranger next to them is a great ice

breaker. This prevents them from forming cliques and meeting someone new right off the bat.

Any professional networking event where people can meet future employees, business

contacts or even new friends should be fun. There are many ideas to help get the ball rolling if

you do a little research and talk to others who have planned similar events. It should also be a

stress-free atmosphere where everyone feels comfortable. Try some of the strategies

aforementioned and your next event can be memorable and a complete success.