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How to Increase Networking at Your Event

2/1/12 12:01 PM

 

We’ve all been there. We attend a networking event by ourselves and come to find out that everyone is already in their own tightly knit groups. This makes it difficult for somebody new to meet other people. As an event planner, this is something you want to avoid happening at your networking events. Rather than setting strict rules and guidelines for your attendees to follow, you want the interactions to be natural and not forced. Here is a list of tips for an event planner to facilitate networking:
  • Before the event starts, create an event hashtag for your event to get your attendees talking about the event. This provides coverage for your event and even helps attendees connect with each other before the event starts
     
  • Display the attendee list online so participants know who will be attending and who they may have the opportunity of connecting with
     
  • Furthermore, provide everyone with the attendee list or display this list prominently around the room. Not everyone will check the attendee list online. Attendees will be more inclined to search out the individuals they want to meet if they know who is attending
     
  • Provide name badges along with company names. What better way to encourage others to network than presenting their names and place of work to one another.
     
  • Remove chairs and place smaller high tables around the room. Large cliques won’t have the opportunity to seclude themselves from everyone else
     
  • Spread snacks and/or condiment stations around the room as opposed to one corner. This will encourage attendees to move around, increasing their chances of meeting new people
     
  • Leave sticky notes and pens around the room. This makes it easier for attendees to jot down quick notes about the person they just met for follow-ups

What are some of your tips to help increase networking at your events?
By Kelvin Chen
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