At a time when virtual meetings, video conferences, and online work calls are the norm, there’s good news for those who see a unique value in in-person networking. A survey conducted by Harvard Business Review has found that 95% of professionals believe face-to-face meetings are crucial to sustaining long-term business relationships. Although these meetings took a dive during the pandemic, they are back in full swing, with organizers and attendees keen to present products and services, and to exchange information with the added bonus of social interaction.
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Networking in business
Research compiled by Oxford Economics shows that in-person networking has a special importance when it comes to forging business relationships. About 75% of customers said they prefer in-person meetings, meaning that businesses offering only digital meet-ups can potentially lose out to savvier competitors. Executives have estimated that they would lose approximately 28% of their business if they didn’t provide in-person meetings.
Beyond the capabilities of technology
Networking events aren’t just about meeting up with potential business partners, investors, and professionals. Exhibitions rank among the best-attended networking events because they enable companies to discuss and present their offerings.
Take the auto manufacturing industry: It’s for a good reason that automakers undertake the expense of organizing carriers to transport their vehicles across the nation and beyond. In the U.S., shows such as the Chicago Auto Show, the Washington D.C. Auto Show, or the New York International Show can have around 1,000 vehicles on display. Many are new and boast unfamiliar technologies that can’t be fully appreciated online. As such, these exhibitions serve as conduits between manufacturers and dealerships, many of which take the opportunity to complete complex negotiations to obtain exclusivity in their areas.
Tech tools to enhance in-person networking
In-person networking events are by no means staid and boring. Neither do they exclusively comprise speakers on a podium and breakfast or coffee. Rather, they incorporate myriad digital tools to make them more dynamic and engaging. Apps like Canapii are booming because they promote networking opportunities before, during, and after events. For instance, they allow attendees to create and follow personalized schedules and permit organizations to publish interactive polls. They also allow for seamless social media integration.
Even business cards have experienced a big shake-up. Modern cards typically contain QR codes that users can scan to access a person or organization’s website. Equally popular are digital business cards, which allow users to create and share their cards with others in the form of a URL. This simple tool makes contact sharing faster, enables businesses to reach more people, and saves on printing costs. It enables people to reduce the error rate caused by physically typing in information from printed business cards into their phones.
Enter hybrid networking
Smart companies are reaping the benefits of both types of networking to take their business to new heights. Many are combining private and public services alongside on-premises structures to create hybrid networks. Services like b2match, a hybrid matchmaking platform for events, help networking event organizers segment participants, set up participant limits, and distinguish between virtual, hybrid, or in-person. Organizers with a tight budget may be able to afford to host a smaller in-person meeting but additionally offer online communications and social media to share information with a wider target audience. Another hybrid event platform, vFairs, helps companies set up slick events that include virtual environments with realistic 3D designs, immersive rooms, and other attractive features.
Biggest business networking events to catch
Just a few of the many well-attended, face-to-face networking events and organizations are the Small Business Expo, which hosts trade shows across the nation throughout the year; Business Network International, featuring local chapters and in-person conferences; and Entrepreneurs’ Organization, which offers a host of events for members. Meanwhile, some of the most visited online networking platforms include Bumble Bizz, B2BeeMAtch, and the Global Entrepreneurship Network (GEN).
Research shows that in-person networking events are back in a big way. Successful business owners know that nonverbal communication, establishing rapport, and making friends are crucial parts of doing business. Today, businesses can pick and choose from a host of formats and platforms that can help them make the most of the real and virtual worlds.
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