Corporate events offer plenty of networking opportunities to professionals looking to form new relationships and close more deals.
That said, corporate networking events can sometimes be a bore. It’s the host’s job to engage attendees and prompt constructive mingling, but it isn’t always easy. Without proper planning, these events can turn into awkward gatherings with siloed cliques and missed opportunities for networking.
To help you avoid this common pitfall, we’re sharing 5 creative networking ideas for your next corporate event:
Incorporate social media
Turn networking into a fun game
Opt for a unique venue
Cater to all kinds of communicators
Don’t forget the entertainment
Put your thinking cap on, and you can ensure your next corporate event is full of introductions, idea swaps, and offer exchanges. Best of all, attendees will be grateful they attended and excited for the next event!
HOSTING A CORPORATE EVENT IN PHOENIX’S EAST VALLEY? RESERVE MODERN MOMENTS TODAY.
From conferences and planning meetings to team-building events and customer appreciation parties, Modern Moments has the perfect space for all kinds of corporate events.
Our lush ½-acre outdoor lawn and patio are ideal for large gatherings with up to 300 people. Sip craft cocktails beneath twinkling string lights or have a conversation around a fire pit while enjoying a catered meal and an inspirational presentation. Indoors, we have a multi-functional venue with room for 60 attendees, along with high-tech conference facilities and a zoned kitchen area.
Whatever is on your schedule, our friendly event staff is here to help you plan and prepare. We offer professional event planning services and can assist with sourcing vendors, coordinating activities, setup, and tear down.
Contact us for a free tour today! Or RSVP to our next Breakfast Show N’ Tell, where we feature our corporate-friendly venue.
Incorporate Social Media
Be it Instagram, Twitter, or TikTok, social media has ingrained itself as a daily part of modern life. Besides making posts and following friends, social media can be a critical networking tool in the business world. Professionals often turn to sites like LinkedIn to develop new connections and opportunities. Depending on your industry, incorporating social media into your next event could be a great way to facilitate greater interaction among attendees.
If Twitter is your preferred social media mode, consider hosting a "party" on the app to encourage your guests to find and follow each other. Or if TikTok and Instagram are more your speed, come up with a unique hashtag for your event that guests can use to share their experiences from your event.
Even if no tangible collaborations or ideas surface at your networking event, attendees will easily be able to locate other guests at a later point. Especially if you have everyone write their social media handles on their name tags!
Turn Networking Into a Fun Game
Networking event hosts should provide activities that make it easy for attendees to connect with each other. Simply expecting attendees to take it upon themselves to establish a connection isn't always effective.
Avoid uncomfortable interactions by incorporating fun games that make networking a breeze. Consider a "speed networking" activity, where guests partner with someone new and have a short discussion about their professional life. After a few minutes, have everyone switch and get to know someone new. Compatible professionals will leave a lasting impression, and guests can seek each other out after the game for a deeper conversation.
For a different approach, opt for a standard round of trivia where guests can show off their knowledge and interact with new professionals without the pressure of making an impression or gaining a new client. Games like this often help ease attendees into the event and make it easier to initiate conversation later in the night.
There’s no limit to how you can turn networking into a game at your event. Even activities such as scavenger hunts and icebreaker questions can be the starting point for a new professional relationship that is lucrative for both parties. Encourage your attendees to have fun and talk, and they are bound to develop lasting connections.
Opt for a Unique Venue
When it comes to hosting a corporate event, choosing a venue is one of the most important planning steps. For starters, ensure your preferred venue is available for your desired date(s) and time. Secondly, you’ll want to make sure it has enough square footage for the size of your corporate gathering.
Beyond the basics, we recommend choosing a venue with unique amenities and a versatile layout. For example, Modern Moments has a spacious indoor area with a modern garage-style door that opens up to the outdoors. The airy venue lends itself well to networking events by reducing any claustrophobic feelings, which is especially important for your introverted guests who may need more breathing room to relax and mingle.
Additionally, the venue can impact the activities you plan to host. Larger outdoor spaces are ideal for events that feature live entertainment or games, while indoor venues with bars can make for a comfortable yet elegant affair.
At Modern Moments, we make it easy to host all kinds of networking activities. Unlike most venues, we don’t charge a fee for outside vendors*. You’re welcome to come and set up your event however you please. Our venue is your open canvas!
*All outside vendors must be licensed.
Cater to All Kinds of Communicators
While it may seem counterintuitive to encourage introversion at a corporate networking event, today's professionals communicate in a wide variety of ways. Some of your attendees may not respond well to traditional networking methods where they are responsible for making introductions and maintaining a few quick conversations.
When planning your corporate event, opt for a multi-functional venue to accommodate both introverted and extroverted communicators. This way, you can incorporate any number of games or activities before allowing attendees to break away into self-directed communication.
Consider choosing a facility with room for break-off sessions so smaller groups can participate in an extended discussion as they see fit. Making space for all kinds of communication can open the door to new ideas and collaborations that most other corporate events may not offer.
Don’t Forget the Entertainment
While it’s important to give attendees time to mingle and meet each other, too much self-directed activity can leave your guests feeling awkward. To avoid unwanted lulls, be sure to provide entertainment for guests to enjoy, especially if you're bringing together industry professionals who may not already know each other.
Hiring live entertainment is one of the best ways to enhance your corporate event, as it gives attendees common ground to discuss with their new peers. In addition to entertainment, be sure to provide plenty of food and refreshments to ensure all of your guests are comfortable and ready to make some new professional connections.
Book the Ideal Corporate Event Space in Phoenix… at Modern Moments!
When it comes to finding the perfect venue for a corporate event, there is no better partner than Modern Moments. With affordable corporate event rates, state-of-the-art facilities, and charming, versatile event spaces, there is no better place for Phoenix professionals to connect with each other. Plus, our professional event planning services will ensure every minute of your event runs smoothly.
Turn your next corporate gathering into a space where ideas and collaboration thrive. Book a free tour online today!