To create an intimate networking environment, organizers of business conference C2 Montréal invited guests to meet while walking together under an umbrella, while a machine overhead sprinkled them with moisture. See more: How C2 Montréal Used Umbrellas for NetworkingPhoto: Jimmy Hamelin
To Buonocore-Guthrie, the key to a successful networking experience is to design it specifically with your distinct audience in mind. For example, she always starts by asking clients to consider exactly what their guests should accomplish through networking. “Would they benefit from fresh ideas, a chance to unpack a business challenge, or a chance to see the other attendees as fellow interesting, fun, unique humans?” she asks.
After all, the event guests who make the effort to attend events in person in 2023 are looking for a focus on community and connection, with opportunities to network and learn collectively—all the benefits that have been harder to replace virtually. But, how exactly do you create a networking event that guests will remember?
Buonocore-Guthrie recalls a few recent networking ideas she's found effective. "For an in-person, 500-person event of students and professionals at Colgate University, I facilitated small groups through a series of question prompts," she remembers. "One question asked mentors to share what remains a ‘work in progress’ for them. The question was unconventional, changed the power dynamic within the groups, and brought the conversation to a more ‘human’ place."
While that type of authentic connection is powerful, Buonocore-Guthrie also emphasizes the importance of fun. "For a virtual year-end celebration last year, I facilitated ‘joy ping-pong’—a game I made up to encourage attendees to share specific things that make them smile, laugh, or feel good, within a certain time limit," she says. "The attendee pairs returned from their breakout rooms smiling and totally energized.”
To get more fresh ideas for networking, we asked BizBash readers to share the most memorable, out-of-the-box networking ideas they’ve spotted at events. Check out their answers...
Amy Devlin, executive director of strategy of GPJ | Seattle
"In my opinion, C2 Montréal always gets networking right. They remove the awkwardness and intimidation of networking by creating the conditions for meaningful interactions to happen. They do this by taking you out of the real world and into the unexpected. Past networking experiences at C2 have included a circle of chairs suspended from the ceiling or pairing people up to chat under an umbrella through a simulated, indoor forest complete with rain. It’s this level of thoughtful experience design that creates unique shared moments that become a memorable mark of your event experience."
Nick Borelli, marketing director of Zenus Inc. | St. Paul, Minn.
“The best networking I've experienced were the hackathons that preceded PCMA's Convening Leaders and Educon, led by Jamie Murdock and Donna Kastner. Attendees arrived at the host cities a day early, were assigned to teams, and worked together to solve a real problem. What made the experience superior networking was when you got to know your teammates' strengths, points of view, and passion levels outside of roles like buyer and seller. It helped cut the ice and get to levels of trust really fast. I saw team members from those hackathons create bonds that continued for years!”
Mark Benson and Todd Mickey, managing partners of Applied Meetings & Hospitality Solutions | Orlando
"We've been to hundreds of networking events over the years, and one that stands out to us as simple, effective, and for a great cause took place at a conference in South Florida in 2016. The event had about 260 attendees from all over the world. It was our first 'networking packathon.' The event was staged in a ballroom with 10 stations for 12-16 people around long tables with double-sided access. Our goal was to make 50,000 meals in 90 minutes! There were plastic bags, bag ties, dried grains, dehydrated vegetables, vitamins, and Himalayan salt. Each person had their individual ingredient with the correct scoop for each to fill every bag. As time went on, our host would call out how many meals we reached from the stage every 15 minutes. When we hit 50,000, the entire room erupted in cheers, high-fives, and hugs. To this day we do more business with the people we met in that large, no-frills ballroom than anyone else. We often bring up how we met through doing something good together, because connecting through this beneficial activity means more to us than you can imagine."
Melanie Wilson, president of Melanie Wilson Media and facilitator of a networking group for women entrepreneurs | Summit, N.J.
“One: The 10-word intro. I use this mostly when I have a large group and am short on time, but want to get through intros. Define yourself and your business in 10 words. People love it and go on to use what they have come up with in other situations. Two: Introduce each other. Break into groups of two and interview each other for five-ish minutes. (Time can be adapted.) Then when it's time for intros, introduce your partner. People really listen to what each other is saying because they know they will be put on the spot to present.”
Katie Pehrson, senior planner and designer of 2 the 9s Events | San Francisco
"The most lively networking idea I've seen was at ILEA Northern California and ILEA Napa-Sonoma's joint mixer at The Lighthouse Glen Cove Marina. Attendees were randomly broken into teams and challenged to design table settings with beautiful rentals from Frances Lane and BBJ La Tavola (think Top Chef 'pantry'). It was a great icebreaker and showcased everyone's playful and energetic sides after being separated by the pandemic for so long. It worked so well that we could hardly get the attendees to stop conversing for a few minutes while we announced the winners!"
Linda Joyce Jones, author of The Event Planning Toolkit: Your Guide to Organizing Extraordinary Meetings and Events | Waynesville, Ohio
"We created a coffee house at a recent customer conference that was a real hit. Our goal was to create time to form meaningful conversations in a space that was cozy yet vibrant. Along with the normal high-top pub tables, we brought in tons of soft seating for more comfortable networking. Coffee bars were completely outfitted with everything necessary to make specialty coffee drinks, along with several flavors of biscotti and other sweet treats. Acoustic musicians and soft lighting provided a beautiful ambiance while allowing participants to speak to one another without having to shout. It was a fan favorite to be sure, and one we'll repeat in the future.”
Natasha Jeshani, president and CEO of Career Contacts | Vancouver
“The best networking idea I had was after a keynote I held at UBC when we had a ‘meet and mingle.’ Too often, people come to network, give short elevator pitches, exchange business cards, and move on. Instead, we asked everyone to pair up with someone they did not already know and take a moment to add each other to LinkedIn during their introductions to one another. Then, we asked them to make groups of four, and they introduced their new connection to the new pair. It was really effective, and we got a lot of positive feedback after the session. It created the opportunity to actively listen during introductions, and kept the conversations going after the event.”
Robbie Samuels, event design consultant and executive Zoom producer | Philadelphia
"A networking tip to make navigating those vibrant, chaotic hallways a bit easier and jump into meaningful conversations: At the start of a breakout session, invite participants to notice if someone says or asks something that catches their attention—and then write that person's name down. That's someone you'll want to meet during the break, lunch, or reception. Make it a goal to write down five names. Then, when you see someone from that list in the hallway, start a conversation by saying, ‘Hey, you're one of my five!’”
Bonus: Scroll down to see some of the BizBash editors' favorite networking ideas we've spotted over the years...
