Creative Networking Formats For Events

What Are Radical Ways to Connect Startups, Founders, and Investors While Showcasing Local Talent? Networking could be more than the typical hotel conference room or formal meet-and-greet over coffee. Take a bolder approach to creating unforgettable connections while supporting local entrepreneurs in 2025– ☕️ Diners and Cafés? Hold networking breakfasts at a diner or coffee shop that opened recently. Let the founder share their story of perseverance and vision while attendees connect over coffee. 🌟 Startup Spotlight Nights Feature a handful of local startups in a pitch or demo session. Pair this with food and drink from local vendors for a true celebration of community talent. 🎨 Artisan Showcases Partner with local artists, musicians, crafters, or designers to highlight creativity and business synergy, proving innovation isn’t limited to tech. 🚶♀️ Startup Safari Create a “trail” where attendees visit multiple local businesses, hear founder stories, and connect with other participants along the way. ☕ Breakfast with Founders Create intimate morning meetups for founders and investors to share advice over coffee. 🍪 Workshops at Local Spots Host events where attendees can learn the story of a local business and participate in a fun activity (like baking or crafting). ➡️ Let’s reimagine networking. Which of these ideas resonates with you to build relationships? #CollaborateForChange #FounderResources

What Executives Want...From Events Last week I had coffee with a CMO who told me "I get 50 event invitations every month. I attend exactly three." This conversation reinforced a topic I love to discuss - what truly motivates C-suite executives to not just attend events, but to engage, connect, and ultimately take action with your brand. After working with dozens of executives and analyzing the most successful corporate events I've planned, I've uncovered the secret sauce that transforms good events into game-changing experiences for the corner office crowd. Making Events Irresistibly Memorable: The Magic Multiplier Approach Remember my mantra: "How can I make this moment more magical?" This question becomes even more powerful when applied to executive events, because these leaders experience dozens of events that all start to blur together. The Arrival Transformation: Instead of standard check-in, create a moment of recognition. Have a concierge approach them by name before they even reach registration. "Ms. Chen, we've been looking forward to your insights on AI transformation." This simple acknowledgment that you know who they are and why they matter sets the entire tone. The Content Elevation: Executives don't want to hear about what happened last quarter—they want to understand what's coming next year. Structure content around: - Exclusive data and insights not available elsewhere - Peer-to-peer case studies from comparable organizations - Interactive scenarios where they can apply learning in real-time - Access to thought leaders they couldn't normally reach - Stories from other CXO’s who have gone through challenges and how they navigated them (crisis stories are always hot here, even though controversial, i.e. the CEO whose company was cyber-hacked) - The Network Navigation: The main goal is to find those CEOs who inspire and motivate you, believe in what you believe in, share similar values and know your industry. Create structured networking that goes beyond cocktail hour: - Curated introductions based on shared challenges or interests - Small group dinners with specific topics and skilled facilitators - I love a Jeffersonian Style to ensure everyone at the table is engaged - "Office hours" and book signing with keynote speakers for intimate Q&A sessions - OCTO (Office of the CTO) members setting up meetings to delve into personal strategies - Follow-up facilitation to help maintain valuable connections - High-End Networking Activities in the am before content such as group biking, racing, etc. Creating the Next Action Catalyst The difference between a good event and a great one isn't just what happens during the event—it's what happens after. Here's how to create momentum that leads to business action and will make sure your investment drives real impact... Read the rest of my blog here: https://lnkd.in/gswyPK2i

A LinkedIn comment made me *really* angry last week. I sat on it for a bit. Waiting for it to just go away. But I'm still angry about it. I shared a story on someone's post about my disdain for the networking experience where people are in clusters and there's no easy way to break in and meet new people. The commenter on my post informed me that my dreams are on the other side of my willingness to be uncomfortable. Look, platitudes are great for inspiration. Not for shaming. If you know me at all, you know that I take risks. I try new things. I get out of my comfort zone quite a lot. But as a person who makes a living helping people connect, I will not accept that it's a requirement to put myself (or others) in an uncomfortable situation in order to meet people. If attendees feel unsupported or even threatened, they're put in a position that creates anxiety, stress, or negative emotions. The conversation in the post was around designing events for connection. Therefore, I think it's right to talk about designing events for connection with activities that encourage growth, exploration, and new experiences in a way that feels challenging but supportive. The event organizers could have: → Had event hosts introducing people to each other → Invited people to post one take-away from the speaker on a communal inspiration board → Created an "Open for Conversation" zone so guests knew which clusters of people were open to welcoming new voices →  Facilitated a moment in the main speaking space that invited guests to introduce themselves to one another before the speaker began →  Hosted the event in a space that was more open for connections (rather than all seated spaces that make it nearly impossible to break into) It doesn't take much to turn a networking reception from an introvert's nightmare to a welcoming space. Need more ideas for your next event? I'm full of them. (And often "full of it," but that's another post.) 😂

Events are about connection, but most networking events suck. It's because those connections are left up to chance. Here’s why—and how to fix them. I used to hate networking events, a lot of it was my own mindset. Because I put way too much pressure on myself to “meet the right people.” And when you walk in with that mindset, you’re not building relationships—you’re hunting prospects. People can feel that energy, and it’s not great. Stephanie Menashe, CMP and I were talking about this before an MPI event at Top Golf. She’s in the middle of a career transition and wasn’t sure what to put on her badge: “Independent Event Professional” “Looking for My Next Home” One feels neutral, the other carries judgment. The reality is that everyone in the room is looking for something—a job, a client, an idea, or just good conversation. So how do we make networking events feel less like a sales pitch and more like real connection? Here are three ways to instantly improve any networking event: 1. Rethink the Name Badge Ditch “Name, Title, Company.” Instead, use prompts like: - Ask me about… - I’m looking to connect with… - My big idea is… This simple shift turns badges into conversation starters. The conversation starter was always the part I overthought the most! 2. Create Connection Zones Instead of a bunch of wandering aimless zombies, set up spaces based on interests. - Creative Thinkers - Tech Innovators - Event Strategists When people know where to go, they don’t have to struggle with who to talk to. 3. Facilitate the First Move The hardest part of networking is breaking the ice. So, make it easy. - Have event hosts or “connectors” introduce people - Place conversation starter cards on tables - Start with a short speed-networking session At the end of the day, networking should be about what you can give, not just what you can get. When I started focusing on meeting interesting people—rather than landing my next big deal—these events became a whole lot more fun. -------------------- Hi, I'm Jay Designing experiences for events that drive ROI for our clients. #business #branding #sales #marketing #eventprofs