Lavish networking parties that everyone enjoys without standing around for five hours and just nodding along are few and far between. A business social event should be aimed at the people who will appreciate it and are looking to make connections, whether a fledgling blogger or an industry executive. But it is, of course, a bit of a challenge. So, from choosing a venue that suits marketing the networking event, here are some suggestions that can help make it memorable.
The Dining Experience
Throwing parties that impress colleagues and industry higher-ups isn’t as easy as many people think. First, most people generally believe that attending such events is usually a waste of time. So you need to entice people and provide the things they will appreciate. Even if an event is forgotten, good food never is! The expert caterers at https://www.saintgermaincatering.com/catering/alexandria-catering understand this more than most. So take a peek when you have some time. Professional food and drink vendors can help any business social event go off without a hitch, even if memories do get a bit foggy!
Lavish Networking Parties Rely on the Venue
Around 65% of networking events occur in-person, with 35% also being held virtually. When people are attending an event, there are some vital factors that will help make the experience memorable and enjoyable. It depends on what you want, some will features are always needed:
- A visually stunning and memorable location should also align with branding and themes.
- Accessibility must always be taken into consideration so everyone can easily attend.
- Lighting, music and décor play a critical role in perfecting the atmosphere of the event.
Facilitate Speed Networking
Whether an event is planned for five hours or one, there will be people there who value their own and others’ time. No one wants to come away from an event feeling like they have just wasted time and money, and this will also reflect on the organizer, aka, you! Speed networking is the solution to helping attendees feel they are gaining something from spending time at your event, with activities such as Mix ‘n Mingle, info name tags and quick business card swaps.
Organize Workshops and Hubs
There are quite a few activities that can be used for networking and team building at business socials. Whether time is limited or not, some are more powerful than others in helping attendees get more from their time there. Workshops and networking hubs focus solely on attendees getting to know each other or your business, and make better use of time than simply standing around and chatting. Breakout sessions and designated areas are popular examples.
Use Modern Tech for Lavish Networking Parties
On average, professional workers attend one to two networking events per month. Because they are so “same old, same old”, you need to push the envelope to make them more interesting. Modern technology offers numerous benefits when organizing a business social.
Digital badges and QR codes
Attendees can exchange and collect digital information much faster with badges and QR codes. These can be scanned using smartphones for access later on if further contact is agreed upon.
Interactive engagement
Keeping networking attendees entertained needs more than loud music and a DJ. Interactive elements such as product demo booths, especially for tech, help elevate the experience.
Virtual brand experiences
There are some brands that can benefit from providing a VR or AR experience of their products. For example, attendees will love to know how it feels to sit inside a luxury car while at an event.
Encourage Mingling and Introductions
Designated areas are powerful for encouraging people to gather and hopefully get to know each other at a business event. However, sometimes attendees just don’t mix or get along, especially if there is a dry bar! Alcohol can help people relax a little, but it isn’t always necessary or possible. However, you can encourage connection building in other ways, such as matching attendees you think will bond, prompts and conversation starters, and encouraging interaction.
Build an Online Community
Before the event even begins, you can encourage people to bond through online communities. Setting up a dedicated page for the event will allow you to curate a guest list. However, you can also set up an online group so people can introduce themselves to others who are interested in what they offer. This breaks the tension of a live event, as people can already pre-arrange to discuss matters further when they meet face to face, helping them get more from the event.
Market Your Lavish Networking Parties
Networking events are often considered boring, with one source claiming that up to 99% are a waste of time and money. However, you can ensure guests are excited and engaged before they even show up with some easily-implemented marketing strategies for the event:
- Share event details on social media platforms, and include photos and videos.
- Create even-specific hashtags to direct attendees to social media profiles for it.
- Increase online engagement and attendance potential with online competitions.
Carefully Curate Targeted Guest Lists
There are potentially tens of thousands of people who are involved in an industry or sector, but you only have limited space. Guest lists should be thought out, as just inviting random people will have minimal success. For attendees to feel like they have gained something, they must meet people with aligned interests. It’s no good inviting finance bros to an event that showcases business security products and services. That would suit people from the security department.
Summary
Good food always helps lavish networking parties become memorable ones, even if the attendance is lacking or something else goes wrong. Satisfied stomachs are happy ones, and a good meal never feels like a waste of time. However, modern tech such as digital badges and QR codes will help attendees make better use of time at a larger event. Of course, a good event also relies on inviting the right people who have aligned interests and a solid reason to attend.
