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  • 1.  How to make long-lasting connections? Check the networking events tips

    Posted 10-12-2022 12:07

    Happy Mid-week all! Let's kickstart with our next edition of the Tip of the Week discussion! 

    Whether in-person, virtual, hybrid, or webinar, all events provide an opportunity for networking. 

    Along with brand building, developing relationships with your existing and potential clients should be one of the main objectives of your event, especially for those promoting a B2B brand.  

    So how do you make the most of the opportunities networking events present? 

    With any event, there are three key stages: pre-event, during the event, and post-event. Networking has a part to play in each of these, so when you're planning each element, consider how you can support it. 

     
    Pre-event 

    Firstly, think about your event schedule. Whether you're running your own product launch event, taking part in an exhibition, or just inviting clients for a meeting, you could consider carving out a portion of your event and dedicating it specifically to networking.  

    For larger events, this could form part of your event running order. But for smaller meetings, you might simply follow your main activity with an informal coffee and a chat. 

     
    Inviting Invites 

    Think about your demographic and the sorts of things that would pique their interest. You could even ask your invitees pre-event for their views on the ways that they might like to network at your event. 

    Technology can help here. Using an
    event management solution will allow you to send invites, monitor responses, and provide bespoke user experiences 
     

    Social Networking 

    When thinking about where your networking activity will take place, consider using a separate area from where attendees may have felt more "on the job" at your event. On a webinar or virtual event, you may use a virtual breakout area. For an in-person product launch day, you might use a separate room at your venue. 
     

    During Event 

    Whether part of a formally recognized networking breakout session on a virtual event or simply through talking with your audience at an in-person exhibition, make sure you grasp the opportunity to get to know who you're talking to, their interests, why they've chosen to make the effort to join your event, and how you might be able to help them. 

    Post-event 

    After your event, it's important to keep those lines of communication open in order to realize the benefits of your networking efforts. 

    Make sure you follow up with the connections you've made. 

     

    Question for you: 

    • How do you make connections with your audience/attendees?   


    As always, feel free to drop in your suggestions in the comment section below!
    #CventTip

    ​​
    #EventApp-Building/managing
    #PromotingYourEvent

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    Megan Clark
    Assistant Team Lead, Online Community Marketing
    Cvent
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  • 2.  RE: How to make long-lasting connections? Check the networking events tips

    Posted 10-20-2022 09:36
    As we come back to in person events, we are holding much smaller more intimate hospitality events. This allows our sales team to reconnect with customers, with no agenda. No sales, just social. They spend a lot of time curating the invitation list that is used for the event, so you have the right people at the right time. We follow up with surveys for every event, large or small and take that feedback and follow up or use it as guidance for our next event. We use Cvent to capture how many events certain customers attend to review the business they hold with us.

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    Beth Vriesen
    Events Registration Admin
    Associated Bank Corporation
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  • 3.  RE: How to make long-lasting connections? Check the networking events tips

    Posted 10-20-2022 15:15
    We are also holding more hospitality events, either as a stand-alone (like a ball game) or in tandem with a conference (as an evening event). I think we're all craving some more face time, and that seems to be the feeling of those we attend as well. 

    While we are still mainly doing webinars, it's nice to finally start rolling out some in-person events. We rely on webinar Q&A and polling for interaction with our audience... and of course, follow-up by our sales team.

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    Lori Wildman
    Senior Marketing Manager
    DuCharme, McMillen & Associates, Inc.United States
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  • 4.  RE: How to make long-lasting connections? Check the networking events tips

    Posted 10-21-2022 09:57

    We like to start with a solid engagement plan that allows for multiple touch points throughout the entire event lifecycle. We talk about pros and cons for each engagement idea based on our attendees then document, plan, and measure. Some events need higher touch engagement than others so using this process allows us to adjust so that we aren't using a "one size fits all" networking strategy. 



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    Jennifer Jones
    Senior Specialist
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  • 5.  RE: How to make long-lasting connections? Check the networking events tips

    Posted 10-21-2022 10:10
    We've found that social events really drive impactful networking, so creating events that allow attendees to relax, mingle and socialize at their pace is key. Outside of those events, we really engage our corporate team to reach out and make connections with attendees to add that personal touch so that they feel connected to the event "host" and have a forum to chat, ask questions, and be engaged.

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    Bouran Qaddumi
    Sr. Manager, Training
    Church's Chicken
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  • 6.  RE: How to make long-lasting connections? Check the networking events tips

    Posted 10-24-2022 16:01

    Question for you: 

    • How do you make connections with your audience/attendees?   
      • We like to have a mix of style throughout our events. We have training or information session, breakouts, cocktail hours, dinners, and fun social activities so that attendees have lots of opportunity to talk to our business leaders and each other. Lately we have been ditching the seating charts to try to inspire organic conversations at the table! 


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    Olivia Popofski
    Marketing Coordinator
    Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada and AffiliatesCanada
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  • 7.  RE: How to make long-lasting connections? Check the networking events tips

    Posted 10-25-2022 14:36
    Trying to create more meaningful engagements. Smaller breakouts that repeat a few times so guests can attend at times that work best for them and have more intimate conversations. Create specialized networking tables at meals focused on topics, industries, genres or what works best for the event.

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    Rachel
    NJ
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  • 8.  RE: How to make long-lasting connections? Check the networking events tips

    Posted 10-25-2022 14:37
    Attendees are looking for intimate in-person connections. Networking events without pressure are popular - a change to just reconnect with people they haven't seen in a few years or make new connections.

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    Gina Allega, CMP
    Senior Program Manager
    BCD M&E
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  • 9.  RE: How to make long-lasting connections? Check the networking events tips

    Posted 10-27-2022 10:52
    • How do you make connections with your audience/attendees?   Personal follow-up notes


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    Rebecca Quinn
    Corporate Events Manager
    Transplace Texas, LPUnited States
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