How To Create Networking Moments At 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

In a world where your online profile could be your first handshake, the age-old art of in-person networking can feel like a lost relic. Yet, there’s an undeniable magic in the live, human connection that no digital interface can replicate. So, when you're stepping into the arena of face-to-face networking, how do you harness that magic effectively? Let’s break down the strategic play into clear, actionable tactics for making a lasting impact. Invent a Signature Ice-Breaker: Create an engaging question or share an interesting anecdote that’s personal and reflective of your interests. Rehearse it enough so that it feels natural, allowing you to deliver it with confidence and ease. Enter with Purpose: Clarify your intentions before the event. Are you there to find new clients, potential partners, or maybe to scout for new talent? With every handshake and introduction, have a clear objective in mind to drive the conversation. Ask with Precision: Arm yourself with well-thought-out questions that are relevant to current industry trends and individual expertise. Aim to get deeper insights by asking for examples and experiences, not just surface-level information. Listen Actively: Show genuine interest in responses, maintaining eye contact and responsive body language. Build on their replies with thoughtful, engaging follow-up questions. Exchange Value: Go into every conversation with the mindset of what you can offer them—an idea, a connection, or even just an interesting conversation. True networking is reciprocal; aim to provide value in every exchange. Connect and Follow Up: Whether you prefer a classic business card or a digital link, have your contact information readily accessible. Cement new connections with a personalized follow-up message within a day of the meeting. With these tactics in your arsenal, you’re ready to turn every networking opportunity into a strategic stepping stone for your professional journey. Remember, it’s the quality of the connections, not just the quantity, that builds a robust network.

If your LinkedIn and Instagram feeds are being flooded 🌊 by Think Tank posts and wondering how BIG this event was, it was only 50 people. Pound for pound, the sheer volume of LOVE and enthusiasm for what happened at this event is sure to translate to massive marketing VALUE that is disproportionately greater than traditional conferences. And here’s the thing… Not only is everyone cool with it, they’re IN on it! 🤩 How do you create an event like this that people love so much that we spend $0 in marketing every year and yet keep growing? Rule # 1 - Foster BELONGING ✅ be clear about who it’s for (Head + Heart leaders who are dissatisfied with the status quo) and who it’s not for (people pushing for sales) ✅ we do prework, group work, and virtual meet ups BEFORE the event ✅ find like-hearted people with shared or complimentary motivations (their WHY) ✅ mix up seating, create small group exercises and discussions, and give enough reasons for people to talk together about things that matter. Don’t leave it to “networking” (most people hate it). Give them real things to discuss. People bond over IDEAS not bios. Rule # 2 - Be Transparent ✅ Let them know the cost upfront, the agenda, the role of sponsors, the way you’ll create content, what parts are experiments and everything else about your goals of the business. Rule # 3 - Deliver the Goods! ✅ Surprise and delight your audience that begins with EMOTIONS and ties together practical solutions to help them achieve success ✅ Work with your facilitators ahead of time. Rehearse. Practice. Improve. MOST conferences allow speakers to basically wing it up there. 😳 We didn’t. Rule # 4 - Make the small details count ✅ Venue, food selection, music, workbooks, swag bags, soft t-shirts, name tents and every other little detail should let them know one thing very clearly —> you value their time and appreciate them. ✅ We didn’t wear our shirts or do group photos until the last day when we’re at PEAK trust and rapport. When people seek out your branding so they can take photos with it, you’ve captured their hearts. Rule # 5 - Be Human ✅ Show your fun side, your vulnerable side; your professionalism; the REAL you. People care about the people behind the brands. Our group members are sharing long form posts, multiple posts, videos, photos and more. They’re sharing what they learned and more importantly how they FELT. They’re commenting on and sharing each others’ posts and supporting each other. THEY are generating a huge deal of curiosity and interest by people for next year’s event(s)! Here’s the not-so-secret SECRET: Give them your full preparation. Your full heart. Your full measure. Not only will they reward you with their appreciation, they’ll share it with anyone who will listen. 💜 #thinktank2024 #headandheart #lighttheway Think Tank 2024 Sponsors 🫶: Markentum Angie Gray Viking Pure Solutions Dash Media KARE Bella Groves Dual Path Connected Solutions

Most people tell you to network, but they don’t teach you how. Here’s what you can do: 🔹 Quality Over Quantity: Before attending, study the event's attendee list and identify 2-3 people you want to meet. This focused approach can lead to deeper, more meaningful conversations. I’ve recently done this myself at a TED event. 🔹 Adopt a Giving Mindset: Offer to share your expertise or resources. For example, if someone is working on a project you have experience with, volunteer to provide insights or introduce them to someone who can help. This shows you're invested in their success. 🔹 Research Smartly: Look into their recent projects or publications. If your contact has recently published a paper or given a talk, read it and mention specific points you found intriguing or valuable. This demonstrates genuine interest and sets you apart. 🔹 Make the First Move: Send a message acknowledging a challenge they mentioned in a public forum or LinkedIn comment. For example: "Hi [Name], I saw your post about the challenges of remote team management. I've faced similar issues and found that regular virtual coffee breaks helped. Would love to share more if you're interested. Best, [Your Name]" 🔹 Build a Habit: Set a weekly reminder to engage with your network on social media. This could be liking, commenting on, or sharing posts from your contacts. Regular engagement keeps you top of mind and builds a foundation for deeper connections. Tomorrow’s newsletter is packed with actionable insights to turn casual contacts into valuable connections. ➡ Sign up here: https://lnkd.in/eE-aFmFy 💜 Career Well-being is the best work-life newsletter, according to my readers! Join us! #NetworkingTips #CareerDevelopment #ProfessionalGrowth #careerbutterfly #CareerWellbeing

In a world where every executive has a firm handshake and a stack of business cards, how do you become the person everyone remembers after a conference? After attending dozens in the past decade, I've developed a strategy that transforms conferences from transactional meetups into relationship goldmines. ♟️Pre-Conference LinkedIn Strategy The real networking begins weeks before the event. Review the speaker and attendee lists, then connect with key individuals on LinkedIn with a personalized message: "I noticed we’re both attending the Stand & Deliver event. I'd love to connect. See you soon." This pre-conference connection creates a warm introduction and significantly increases your chances of meaningful engagement. 👗👔The Memorable Wardrobe Element In my early career, I blended in at conferences. Now? I'm known for wearing a little more color (often D&S Executive Career Management teal) or patterns that are professional yet distinctive. When someone says, "Oh, you're the one with the great dress," you've already won half the networking battle. 🤝Contribute Before You Collect** Instead of collecting business cards, focus on providing immediate value in conversations. Can you connect someone to a resource? Share relevant research? Offer a solution to a challenge they mentioned? The executives who stand out aren't those who take the most cards—they're the ones who solve problems on the spot. What networking approach has worked for you at recent conferences? Share in the comments below! #ExecutiveLeadership #NetworkingStrategy #ConferenceSuccess #ProfessionalDevelopment

I spent $25K on a dinner last Tuesday. The $10 name tags generated more ROI than any marketing campaign we’ve ever run. We gave out metal name tags. Custom-engraved. Nothing fancy. I almost died of anxiety getting them shipped in time. But by Thursday, people were still wearing them around San Mateo. At totally different SaaStr events. That’s when I knew this wasn’t just another founder dinner. It was something people wanted to be identified with. No RSVP forms. No sales pitch. Just 90 hand-picked founders and product leaders packed into a single restaurant. And here’s what happened organically: - Small-group conversations spilled outside the restaurant until 10pm - A founder told me they solved a product problem during a chat at the bar - Two partnerships were formed between attendees who’d never met before Here’s what we learned about building genuine connections in an industry drowning in “networking events”: 1/ Create a momentary escape We rented out the entire restaurant. No outsiders. No agenda. Just a space for authentic conversation. 2/ Curate ruthlessly We personally invited those who would make the evening better for everyone in the room. 3/ Design for post-event connection Those engraved name tags became conversation starters days later. “Hey, weren’t you at the Recall.ai dinner?” Traditional marketing tracks every dollar. But building genuine community means letting go of immediate attribution. Three different attendees DM’d asked, “When’s the next one?” That’s the kind of community equity you can’t measure on a dashboard. What’s the most meaningful connection you’ve made at an event that wasn’t trying to sell you something?

At one event, the emcee wrapped the opening session by saying, “You’ve got 45 minutes to network — go!” No prompts. No structure. No plan. The result? A few people started working the room — business cards in hand. Nearly half stayed in conversations with people they already knew. The rest stood awkwardly scanning the room, hoping someone would approach… then excused themselves to “use the bathroom” and slipped outside. That was the day I promised myself I’d never let “networking” be a free-for-all. If it matters to your event, it has to be designed. Here’s how to make networking actually work: * Provide conversation starters and guided activities. * Create more intimate spaces designed for connection. * Recruit and empower super connectors to make introductions with ease. Networking without design isn’t networking — it’s chance. What’s one creative way you’ve seen an event make networking easier?

A party is not networking. It’s not an opinion. It’s facts. I was going through the FANTASTIC Freeman research to prepare for our 2025 Event Industry Outlook and Trends (next week!). I bumped into a powerful stat. 55% of planners think that parties are the networking attendees want. But only 34% of attendees want parties. This is a disconnect many experienced in the event industry post-pandemic. Many planners interpreted this strong desire to be back in-person as an unstoppable need to party. That may have been the case for ’21 and ’22. Since ’23, things have changed. Purpose and collaboration are what attendees need. Many also confuse the need to get together in small, intimate events with meaningless drinks and dinners. Throwing people in a room and expecting the magic to happen is a waste of money and energy. What’s the plan then? • Structured networking. Especially around topics of interest. • Intimate gatherings with true peers with a theme or items of discussion. • Content that connects. Workshops, collaborative seminars, facilitated sessions. There is no room for budget waste in this environment. How do you connect attendees? P.S. Every Wednesday, 11K eventprofs open my newsletter within one hour of me sending it. If you want to know why, join us. The link is at the top of my profile.

7 Icebreakers That Actually Work At Networking Events: 1. “What’s Something Exciting You’re Working On?” This is so much better than "So, what do you do?" This shows genuine curiosity and invites people to talk about what matters to them. You’ll often uncover hidden projects, side hustles, or cool trends in their industry. 2. “What Inspired You To Attend This Event?” This question gets past the surface quickly and helps you understand their goals. And that gives you a window to offer meaningful value. This shows genuine curiosity and invites people to talk about what matters to them. You’ll often uncover hidden projects, side hustles, or cool trends in their industry. 3. “How Did You Get Into Your Field?” People love telling their origin story. It gives them a chance to reflect and helps you learn something valuable. Bonus: It opens the door to career path tips or industry insights. Use it to start meaningful convos instead of awkward intros. 4. “What’s A Challenge You’re Facing Right Now?” This one is powerful if asked appropriately. Frame it lightly, “anything you’re trying to figure out these days?” If you can help them solve it or connect them to someone who can? They’ll owe you one big time. 5. “What’s Something People Misunderstand About Your Role?” This sparks a surprisingly fun convo, especially with folks in niche or technical roles. It lets them vent (in a good way) and gives you interesting insights. Plus, it shows you care enough to go deeper than surface-level stuff. 6. “Who Should I Meet Before I Leave?” This is a networking power move. It creates a flywheel where every conversation turns into two. And it helps narrow the focus of your networking to the people who matter most. Bonus: Ask them if they’d be willing to make an introduction! 7. Comment On The Moment If all else fails, comment on what’s around you or a potential shared experience from the event. “Did you try the [insert snack or drink]? Surprisingly good for one of these events.” “Not sure how I feel about these name tags, kind of feel like I'm at prom.” Humor = connection. —— ➕ Follow Austin Belcak for more 🔵 Ready to land your dream job? Click here to learn more about how we help people land amazing jobs in ~3.5 months with a $44k raise: https://lnkd.in/gdysHr-r

Someone said "You should teach a transition class at events like these" while at the Air & Space Forces Association annual event in DC yesterday I explained that I have done that before...but attendance at these major events typically fell into 2x buckets: 1 - many of the senior leaders attending weren't even thinking about their transition, so they focused on talking with friends, attending events & industry engagement 2 - the ones in their transition window were hell-bent focused on "finding a job" by going to pitch themselves to every major defense contractor in attendance #quinnsights Going to these booths and saying "I'm the ...." doesn't tell them anything about what you want or can do Companies don't come to these major events to hire (they come to sell and form partnerships) And that events like these (AFA & AUSA) don't typically "get you a job" They give you an entry point (someone to speak to & maybe build a relationship) #militarytransition But the key to every event is FOLLOW UP What should you do? 1 - connect with them on LinkedIn every time Show them your QR code right there and wait for their connection request to come through (sneaky way to ensure they do) 2 - Go into My Network each night and look at your newest connections They are organized chronologically, so they will all be people from the event 3 - Send them a quick note on LinkedIn saying how great it was to meet them at (insert event name) and that you would love to stay in touch for advice This locks in that you met face-to-face in their Inbox...always leaving a reminder there in case either side reaches out (not a cold pitch) 4 - Make a networking spreadsheet that tracks the people you met AND who responded For the ones that responded, asked some simple questions or for a short advice phone call, if appropriate For the ones that didn't - send an additional follow up message one week later to thank them again and add a short easy question (they'll be back from the event & likely have more time) #militarytransition Once you get to the calls, ask questions to learn and listen more than talk to find your success Questions? Is there anything you would add? And will I see you at the AUSA Fireside Chat/Transition Panel on Tuesday Oct 15 from 1300-1500 in Rm 147A/B in the Washington Convention Center?