Actual article date: Nov 24, 2013

After assisting the networking segment of events of different profiles, we have found that 3 different networking types that is prevalent within the industry.

We will also look at some current solutions on how event planners and organisers are raising the networking possibility of their events.

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1. Serendipitous Networking

Types of events: All types of events

One really valuable aspect of networking at events is the different people that you are able to interact with face to face. The current norm of walking into a conference venue and speaking to the guy next to you can be a double edged sword. Often than not, you find that the person is completely irrelevant to your endeavours. However, you allow him to keep you engaged out of courtesy.

‍Current Solutions: There are various ways that planners are already employing to keep leads finding easier. From colour coding delegates tags differently for them to find the right group to start a conversation to exclusive cocktail sessions for a target group in the event. The serendipitous interactions still takes place but in a time limited event, leads finding can still be pretty much like searching for a needle in the haystack.So how do we maintain this serendipitous networking while making leads finding easy? Through recommendations. One of the best networking experience for an event delegate is to be recommended to people who matters. However, finding the right referrer is not an easy task in itself.

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2. Blind Networking

Types of events: Meetings, blind meetings sessions at events

This is one popular type of novelty networking that event planners introduce that can be fun in a light hearted way. The only drawback is that the meetings goes at break neck speed with people who you have no details of prior to the blind meetings. Therefore, the conversations are likely not meaningful and mostly name card exchanges.

‍Current solutions: Event planners cater for a dedicated area for blind meetings and the session goes dynamic where one group is seated and the other group moves to the next person in 5–10mins. Yes, pretty much like speed dating. Matching and scheduling can be a pain and therefore event planners usually shy away from structured speed networking and instead opt for blind networking.

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3. Business Matching

Types of events: Exhibitions/tradeshows, business conferences

Business matching can be implemented in various ways. From hosted buyers programme, buyers-sellers, sponsors-delegates or delegates-delegates matching, each implementation is very different from each other. On a general level, business matching involves understanding your each of your delegates to provide the best matches for them. Furthermore, you have to be in constant contact with them when you schedule them accordingly to their time availability. This is not an easy task for planners and it adds to the operational costs when running an event.

‍Current Solutions: Current event planners tries to provide this service by hiring a dedicated business matching team or convert their sales team to one right before the event. The latter is not such a good idea as you loses your marketing function. The more savvy event planners use an networking solution to run the business matching service to ensure that at least the scheduling is automated.

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Here are some questions to ensure that your networking solution is fitting:

Is your event networking solution effectively solving your event networking needs for your delegates?
Does the solution makes your life easier as an event planner?
Are you ‘buying’ a general networking solution and expects your delegates to use it for themselves?
Is the networking function diluted when it exists as a feature within all the other content based features of your event (or event app)?
Can you quantify the networking potential of your event through the solution?

Jublia Match© is an end-to-end networking solution that covers the recommendations, matching, scheduling, reminders and meetings feedback of event networking at the price of a good cup of coffee each.