The number one draw card for corporate events? The opportunity to network. Corporate events are the place to meet and establish meaningful connections with industry peers and leaders. As such you need to make it as easy as possible for your guests to mingle and spark up a conversation. If you can successfully facilitate a great networking environment, you’re providing your guests with tangible value, and as a result, garnering appreciation for your brand.
To help you create a corporate event that’s conducive to networking, make use of these three tools:
An event app
If you’re not already offering your guests the use of a bespoke event app, now’s the time. As well as offering an elevated event experience, built-in networking features are arguably the number one drawcard of corporate event apps. Guests can browse lists of fellow attendees and speakers, and then introduce themselves via the app’s messaging function – eradicating what can often be the daunting task of having to seek someone out in a crowd and introducing oneself.
A Facebook group
Remember that your corporate event essentially begins as soon as someone receives your invitation, and if you want to facilitate networking, you’ll need to have the necessary technological infrastructure in place. And thanks to social media, networking is easier and far less intimidating than ever before. Creating a Facebook group – either private or public – is a great way to offer increased value to attendees. Include this information on your invitations and post-event thank you emails, and consider holding Facebook live discussions pre and post the event in question.
The right environment
Despite all the benefits of technology, meaningful connections are forged and solidified in person – but only if the environment is conducive to networking. Choose a venue that offers cocktail tables to encourage mingling, keep background music in the background and ensure lighting isn’t too dim. Remember, your job is to make it as easy as possible for attendees to meet and chat with fellow guests. Forego a sit-down dinner in favour of a harvest table or appetizers served by waitrons, and most importantly, make name tags easy to read – there’s nothing worse than forgetting the name of the person you’re speaking to!
Remember that not all guests are extroverted social butterflies, and while they place importance on networking, walking up to a total stranger doesn’t necessarily come easily to them. By incorporating these five tools, you’ll enable them to form valuable connections, and as a result, showcase your brand in a favourable light.
