Networking is one of the most important skills to have as a professional in business, and attending a networking event, let alone hosting one on behalf of your company, can be incredibly beneficial both for the individual and the business as a whole.
So, whether you have been tasked with hosting a networking event as part of your role in an external company or on behalf of your department, you have clicked on the right article.
Here are four top tips for hosting a large networking event and how to do it right.
1. Hire a Professional Catering Company
Choosing to work with a company that specializes in gourmet catering solutions will not only eradicate a potentially huge stress in terms of organization before the day of your event but will also add a touch of class and luxury to the proceedings.
This way, you will be safe in the knowledge that your attendees will be fed and watered throughout the evening (with a buffet being the preferable option for such events), and it will also free up a considerable amount of your valuable time to concentrate on other organizational tasks.
2. Create a Customized Event App
Whether your company operates in the technological industry or not, you should also look to embrace innovative software packages and programs that will not only help you promote your networking event in the first place but also drum up excitement and aid with the organization of attendees.
Creating a customized event application is an excellent idea and will allow you to send generic and even private messages to your attendees and have each person vote in a poll. It will also mean you can introduce attendees from different companies to each other ahead of the event.
3.Utilize Targeted Promotional Tools
Source: sbims.com
Another hugely effective way of creating a buzz around your networking event instead of promoting your event in any way possible to anyone who will listen is to use targeted advertising to make sure news of the event reaches the relevant professionals.
Have a look at professional groups on social networking sites such as LinkedIn and Facebook comprising of people you know will both enjoy and benefit from your upcoming event. You should also consider investing in a Facebook advertising campaign, as the algorithms automatically target your adverts to the right people who work in the industry in which your company is based and are looking for ways to develop their careers.
4. Encourage Guests to Stay for the Duration
The fifth and final tip for a successful and memorable networking event is to encourage as many of your evening’s attendees as possible to stay until the end.
There are many ways to achieve this, helping your guests to get the most out of the evening, including hosting a talk or presentation towards the end of the event, handing out corporate gift bags when the event is over, or playing games right up until the finish time.
