How to organise a business networking event
Business can be as much about who you know as how good your products or services are, so it’s no surprise that networking events are proving so popular.
If you’re planning an occasion like this for the first time, or you’re keen to improve on gatherings you’ve organised in the past, you can take a look as this brief guide for some top tips.
Have a clear goal in mind
Before you get into the organisational minutiae of the event, it’s important to know exactly what you’re hoping to achieve. Having a clear goal in mind will help you to get the details right and to ensure that it’s a worthwhile exercise.
Size matters
When you’re planning these gatherings, it’s a good idea to establish their scope from the outset. In other words, you should decide how many people do you plan to invite and how many do you think are likely to attend. Numbers play a key part in determining the venue you’ll need and the style of the event. For example, if large numbers are involved, it may be best to arrange a freestyle, mingling gathering. Alternatively, if fewer people will be there, perhaps a more formal, sit-down event would be better.
Set a date
To help ensure people are able to attend, it’s vital that you get your invites out ASAP. This means you need to set a date at the outset and stick to this.
Choose the perfect venue
Your networking event will only be as good as the venue you choose to stage it in, so it’s important to be picky when it comes to your setting. You’ll need to select premises of the right size and make sure it has all the necessary catering and equipment. Depending on where people are coming from, you might also need to consider accommodation.
If you’re holding your event in the English capital, it’s well worth checking out The Landmark London. This five-star hotel offers 11 impressive meeting and conference rooms along with state-of-the-art technical facilities. It also has breakout areas and plenty of space for coffee breaks. In addition, it boasts a number of stunning restaurants and bars, as well as 300 guest rooms.
Get the word out
To help ensure you achieve the turnout you’re after at your networking event, it’s crucial that you get the word out there. Sending initial invites is not always enough. On top of this, you might benefit from using social media and follow-up emails to help promote your event, and you may also want to pick up the phone to spread the message.
On a similar theme, make sure that all the participants know what to expect on the day. For example, tell them about the format of the event and give them at least a rough idea of numbers. This will help them to prepare any materials they want to bring.
Stick to a schedule
Finally, when the event finally gets underway, make sure you stick to your schedule. If you don’t, you risk looking unprofessional. Also, remember that as organiser it’s your job to facilitate mingling, so you should be on hand to introduce people and get them chatting.
