Networking is a core attendance driver. Up to 75% of attendees come to events simply to meet other relevant people.
But why is meeting relevant people so necessary? Here are a few reasons.
A strong network helps attendees learn quickly and find support
The most memorable parts of events are the interesting and unique people we meet
While event content is excellent for education, attendees also want new business & career opportunities
By organizing meetings yourself, you save on costs and control who meets with who.
However, it's incredibly time consuming and requires an intimate knowledge of each attendees' goals - difficult at larger events.
Pro: high level of control over who meets who
Con: Highly time-consuming
Invite your attendees to a networking platform instead of uploading a full list. The main benefit is a platform full of active users and higher quality meetings.
However, it requires more work up front to set up the platform, and a strong communications plan to drive attendees there.
Learn more about opt-in networking platforms here >
Pro: The most personalized experience for each attendee
Con: Reliant on a strong promotion plan
Commonly used in event apps. All attendees are available to network with, saving you time inviting them to the platform.
However, not all attendees may participate, which can increase frustration when attendees interact with 'ghost' profiles.
Pro: Find all attendees in the list
Con: Not all attendees will network
Typically used at exhibitions and sales-focused events. Attendees register and attend at a severely reduced price in exchange for guaranteed meetings with exhibitors or vendors.
This ensures meetings, but ensuring relevant meetings takes time and effort to organize.
Pro: Guaranteed meetings for vendors
Con: Costly to sponsor attendees
Some tools allow for AI-powered matchmaking, meaning your attendees can get truly relevant matches. It adapts from their interactions to learn the best matches.
However, not all tools have it. It also works best as a long-term plan, since it learns more as attendees continuously use your tool.
Learn more about the potential for AI matchmaking at events here >
Pro: It's AI
Con: It's scary
Great to offer your VIPs a personal and simplfied networking experience. Also allows a high level of control on who meets with VIPs.
However, it still takes a lot of time to coordinate and requires an intimate knowledge of your VIP goals to avoid irrelevant meetings.
Pro: Add personal touch to important relationships
Con: Detailed knowledge of VIP needs and goals required
Smart badges work well for lead retrieval and information exchange in 1:1 meetings. The badges connect or are scanned, and the personal details are exchanged.
However, smart badges do little to faciltiate 1:1 meetings, meaning attendees can leave an event with no meetings, causing frustration.
Pro: Instant information exchange
Con: Heavy burden on attendees to find meetings
One of the easiest ways to determine success is calculating the meetings organized, and who participated in those meetings.
Some meeting metrics to track include:
Event networking can help you segment your attendee base more effectively and inform you of valuable data points, like:
Attendee interests
Event goals
Attract sponsors
View in real-time how your attendees engage with your networking and your event.
Also determine how many meetings were booked pre-event and at your event itself.
Discover how Brella makes event networking easy
with its intuitive design, simple set-up and
intent-driven matchmaking, powered by AI.
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