How to Make the Most of Your Networking Event

By Chris McCarten

Networking. An opportunity to exchange and share ideas, build your contacts, keep on top of trends, and develop your resources. Not to mention, it’s a targeted occasion to grow business opportunities. M

yriad Marketing recently planned and produced the Ontario Government’s 9th Annual Wisdom Exchange, a two-day learning and networking forum for Presidents and CEOs of Ontario’s growth and emerging growth firms. This conference invited many of Ontario’s most successful business leaders to dialogue about how partnerships and alliances can ensure the continued growth and survival of their businesses.

The conference agenda included one on one business exchange meetings, workshops, planned networking, plenary and town hall sessions, as well as roundtable discussion opportunities. Social interaction was important to the objectives of the symposium as well, and took place over lunches, dinner and a cocktail reception. In all, feedback declared that this was the most productive Wisdom Exchange yet.

So, how best to put together a conference for which networking and productive interaction are the goal? Here are some steps to take to ensure participants gain maximum value.

1. Offer attendees a program that provides a good mix of work and play. Social interaction time will provide your guests a chance to get to know one another and find commonalities outside of the specific subject matter of the conference. Given the right environment, small talk can turn into big talk!
   
   
2. Provide a variety of different activities. Diversity in the program will keep the experiences fresh, attendees alert, and the content memorable. Injections of light entertainment and physical activity are also a great way to break things up and get the blood pumping. A variety of settings for the program will also help to keep things from getting stale. When selecting your venue for the event, ensure that there are sufficient locales to allow you to facilitate breakout meetings, social time, as well as plenary sessions and general addresses.
   
   
3. Make the most of the ancillary elements of the program. Creativity in theming and décor can make a good conference spectacular. Take some time planning meals – unique menu items and presentation can be an icebreaker to conversation. But remember, everything in moderation! Too much food or beverage could affect productivity adversely, as your guests might get tired or worse – inebriated!
   
   
4. Finally, give your guests a good understanding of the agenda. A Master of Ceremonies can be of value to announce each new stage of the program. Be sure to provide agendas to attendees, and post signage denoting where and when the various conference elements are taking place. If your guests feel informed and a part of what is going on, they will be more likely to get involved and make the most of what the conference has to offer.
   

Remember, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Take the time to plan out all elements of your networking forum. Consider the type of audience and every detail that could make or break your event, and neither you, nor your guests, will be disappointed in the outcome.

Chris McCarten is president and CEO of Myriad Marketing Inc, an integrated marketing and corporate communications firm, specializing in Closed Loop Marketing strategies. For more information, please visit www.myriadinc.com or contact Chris McCarten at chris@myriadinc.com. Published in Networking Today, July 2003.