If you ve decided to host a networking event, you ll want to make sure it s a big success. You ll hope the event meets the expectations of your attendees and, of course, that they have a great time too.
Whether your event is for business or social purposes, take note of the following tips to make sure you throw a networking party that people will remember.
1. Pick the right venue
The place you choose to host your event will be important for creating the right atmosphere. Have an idea or theme behind your networking event, e.g., classy and sophisticated for a business networking event in the jewelry industry or relaxed and homey for a local community networking meeting. Find a place that you feel best helps you convey your desired atmosphere. These can include any of the following: restaurant, private dining room, hotel conference room, bar lounge, community room or resort locations. You might also choose a location that allows you to contribute your own additions to the decor to help create the atmosphere you want, e.g., by adding fresh flowers, wall hangings, centerpieces or displays, etc.
2. Consider having a speaker
If possible, find a speaker normally someone who is prominent or knowledgeable in a certain industry to speak on a subject that will interest your attendees. Advertise the speaker s presence at the event to encourage people to attend. Make sure the speaker s presentation or speech is not too long so it doesn t interfere with the networking process. In addition, the subject should be of value to the attendees so they will remember your event and want to attend any future ones that you might hold.
3. Refreshments
Depending on the type of networking event you are holding, your refreshments may range from simple finger foods with bar drinks to a private sit down dinner. Whichever it is, providing food and drink for your attendees is important even for small and informal networking parties. You won t want your guests to leave your event because they are hungry. Hiring waiters and waitresses who carry around finger foods and take orders for drinks is one good idea. It lets your guests carry on their conversations without the need to go elsewhere to eat or grab a drink.
4. Help your guests connect
You may not know everyone who attends your event, but you are sure to know a few key players. Try and boost their networking success by introducing them to other guests you feel they might want to meet. As you get to know more of your attendees, be aware of good introductions you might be able to make. Your guests will appreciate the help and your willingness to connect people will reflect well on you and your event, too.
5. Think carefully about who you invite
Open invitations to events aren t always the best way to ensure a successful outcome. Select a good range and balance of people who will be interested in meeting each other. Use an online meeting tool that lets you send your invitation to a wide range of people but allows you to filter the candidates you feel are most suited to your event. If you are looking to invite more people to an event, why not suggest to existing attendees that they invite someone from their own network, business or industry circle?
Follow these tips and your social and business networking events are sure to be a success!
If you liked this article, tell all your friends about it. They’ll thank you for it. If you have a blog or website, you can link to it or even post it to your own site (don’t forget to mention www.meetingwave.com as the original source).
Author Resource:
Jonathan Boyd has written countless articles for Meeting Wave, a free website to meet people offline, for social or business networking. Check out the MW blog at http://www.meetingwave.com/blog
![[Valid RSS feed]](http://www.look4articles.com/images/icon_Rss.png "XML Feed For RSS"){kind=icon}
Category Rss Feed
Print This Article
Add To Favorites
![[Valid RSS feed]](http://www.look4articles.com/images/rss.jpg "XML Feed For RSS")