As long as human interaction is part of business, networking events will be a key part of a company’s efforts to provide personal and professional growth for its employees. It’s an opportunity for like-minded people to engage with one another, share thoughts and ideas, and build the connections that lead to greater success.

For any company planning professional networking events, it’s important to keep up with current networking event trends to increase attendance, enhance attendee engagement, and ensure that the event itself is meaningful and worthwhile. And as technology continues to rapidly evolve, so does its impact on events for both planners and attendees. This guide will help corporate planners, conference organizers, marketers and HR teams stay on top of current trends, use technology to improve the attendee experience, and spur networking event ideas to help your networking event exceed the expectations of everyone.

 

Trend #1: Hybrid Networking Experiences

Simply put, a hybrid networking event integrates a virtual component with an in-person event, providing an online option for attendance. While hybrid events are not new, technological advancements have made hybrid options more widely available, especially effective for trade shows, large conferences, and events that need to include a wider or even global audience. Hybrid events are beneficial for attendees who cannot (or will not) travel, limited budget, or a smaller venue capacity.

But a successful hybrid event is much more than just adding a live-stream element. There are other things to consider, such as: 

Well Prepared and Delivered Content

The speakers and other content providers should be prepared for the hybrid element, so that presentations, video, or other content looks great for your online audience and ideally has an interactive element for virtual attendee participation. .

Expanded Participation

A hybrid event allows you to expand your audience. There’s no limit to the number of virtual attendees. Furthermore, you have the option of including speakers or presenters from anywhere they can connect.

Registration and Scheduling

Integrating certain technology platforms into your hybrid experience can make registration easier, manage attendees more efficiently, and facilitate the scheduling of virtual meetings. And with streaming video you have the option of video conferencing and online breakout “rooms.”

Monona Terrace offers state-of-the-art A/V support for hybrid events of just about any size, so that your online attendees have as positive and effective an experience as possible. This article shows the full scope of what Monona Terrace has to offer for your hybrid networking event.

 

Trend #2: Curated Micro-Networking

Gone are the days of crowded free-for-alls in a massive event space. Now it’s about curating an event with data gleaned from registration and AI algorithms. With the data you attain from attendees, you can shift from open mingling to smaller group sessions and roundtables based upon specific user interests and knowledge bases. Smaller group “lounges” of people who share common goals have been shown to be more inclusive and useful for attendees.  

Also curated micro-networking allows you to customize and personalize large networking events with specific rooms/areas for:

  • Meditation or brainstorm sessions
  • Hyper-focused content, such as classes or content-specific speakers
  • Entertainment
  • Speed-networking or lightning talks

While Monona Terrace is capable of handling thousands of attendees, we can also accommodate multiple breakout rooms and themed spaces appropriate to the type and content of your event.

 

Trend #3: Experience-Driven Engagement

Attendees to a networking event will remember unique experiences they shared with others, especially if it involves hands-on activities. Remember, the experience doesn’t have to be directly related to the industry or your company. It’s about getting people to interact with one another. Things like a cocktail or sushi making class, interactive art, “Ask Me Anything” sessions, games (charades, trivia, scavenger hunts), and even karaoke can provide a memorable, impactful experience for attendees and turn casual acquaintances into friends and professional contacts.

Ideally, this light-hearted socialization is guided by professional intent, in that it has some connectivity to the purpose of the event. So let that be your filter when coming up with potential experiences to offer your attendees.

The setting can add to the memories too! The rooftop at Monona Terrace is well known as one of the best views of downtown Madison. Imagine hosting an experiential event with beautiful Lake Monona as the backdrop.

 

Trend #4: Sustainability and Local Sourcing

Another important consideration is the impact of your event on the environment and how it can also benefit the local community. Monona Terrace is proud to have achieved the status of LEED-EB Platinum Level “green building.” It is our responsibility to be faithful environmental stewards. Along with green energy purchases, we have installed high-efficiency plumbing fixtures and appliances and a drip irrigation system, to name a few.

We also work with a variety of local suppliers who share in our mission. This includes working with sustainable farms and food suppliers, so when your event requires food and beverages, you can enjoy our delicious catering options knowing they are responsibly sourced and served. Learn more about our “green” initiatives here.

 

Trend #5: Wellness Integration

While networking can be an amazing professional experience, it can also be mentally and physically exhausting. When planning your event, be sure to integrate wellness opportunities into your agenda, such as time for breaks in the day and offer places where people can go and simply be quiet, such as a no-phone zone. You might offer guided meditation classes and exercise/movement breaks, wellness and fitness workshops, yoga, healthy cooking classes, chair massages, and even health screenings.

And besides getting well deserved breaks, people need to eat. Monona Terrace has comprehensive catering options to accommodate virtually anything you require, from sit-down dinners or buffets to hors d’oeuvres, lunches, and healthy snacks. Of course, we have a wide variety of beverages available for any occasion.

But for the ultimate in wellness integration, take advantage of our lakeside setting for walking meetings/gatherings, outdoor breaks, or any of the above in a stunning outdoor setting!

 

Trend #6: Personalization Through Tech

Networking thrives on personalization. Technology can help facilitate the personalization you need to make your event truly spectacular.

Most event management technologies utilize cutting-edge technology to help you with every aspect of your event, even with personalization. Cvent, Bizzabo, and Eventbrite all offer a suite of useful tools. The information you gather can help you set up the like-minded breakout rooms and matchmaking. Attendees can also connect before the event, so the interaction is kickstarted before the doors even open.

You can also customize the information you gather so you can have a keen insight into what your attendees want and expect from the event. This gives you ample time and information to tailor the content, speakers, breakout areas, entertainment, groupings and all that will be part of your event to match the interests of your attendees.

Event networking apps, like Eventify and MeetMatch, connect your attendees based upon mutual interest and professional experience. Apps can quickly show attendees who most match their interests based upon tags, connect them before/during/after the event, and invite and schedule an onsite meeting, in-person or virtual.

Monona Terrace supplies the interactive speed and infrastructure your attendees need to power both their phone and their apps. Our wireless network provides 99.99% reliability, with a 1.5Mbps connection available free of charge and paid upgrades available. Learn more about our onsite technology here.

 

Conclusion

If you’re still wondering how to plan a network event, here are some key considerations to keep in mind.

Hybrid Integration

In-person and virtual interactions are practically interchangeable in the business world. Nothing beats a good, old-fashioned handshake and looking someone in the eye, which is why in-person networking events are so important. But include the hybrid option if you can. Make sure your technology is seamless, the experience is engaging and valuable for your virtual audience, and make good use of the data analytics after the event is over.

Use AI powered apps

Apps you select will likely use AI throughout the use experience for automation, personalization, forecasting attendee behavior, and providing chatbots for support. Event attendees will expect this as part of their experience for top networking events, virtual or in-person.

Content

Have memorable, valuable, interactive content, from the speakers to experiential to technological.  

Venue selection

Choose the right venue that can handle your event. We encourage you to take a deeper look at Monona Terrace for your networking event. Our unique venue spaces can accommodate any size, with the technology and A/V support, catering options, and the flexibility you need to adapt to varying event requirements.

Ready to host your next forward-thinking networking event? Explore our spaces or contact our team.