Speed networking: driving better connections and inclusive events

Speed networking is the event industry’s answer to time scarcity without compromising quality.

Challenged attention spans, needs for structure and a strong desire to maximize time spent at a show are all putting pressure on event professionals.

But speed networking gives event attendees and exhibitors the chance to overcome the time-consuming issues hitting exhibitions.

This article will explore the following key areas:

• Speed networking is the answer to the ever-shrinking attention span
• Get straight to the heart of engagements for more valuable connections
• How speed networking is making events more accessible and inclusive
• Session formats for every kind of events
• Important considerations for event organizers
• Speed networking questions for attendees
• Speed networking questions for exhibitors
• How participants find the speed networking experience

These attributes of speed networking pave the way for a streamlined, inclusive and straightforward event experience that empowers all involved to get the most value out of every event.

Boost the value of your event by increasing the number of meetings

The most fundamental benefit of speed networking is how it adds value to your event.

An event’s value is determined by the number of mutually beneficial meetings between business professionals.

Attendees can initiate meetings by booking one-to-ones through the app, engaging exhibitors or approaching speakers post-session.

But these meetings have little to no structure and how long they last is up to the parties involved. The number of meetings is limited by how long these interactions last.

Incorporating speed networking sessions into an event is estimated to double the number of meetings that can take place.

Participants are optimized to make more valuable connections through these sessions.

This means the value of the event is significantly increased due to speed networking.

Speed networking is the answer to the ever-shrinking attention span

People are increasingly hardwired to consume information in quick bursts.

Doom scrolling and consuming all manner of short-form content: reels, memes, gifs, infographics and more.

They retain information specific to their interests and discard the least relevant.

Topics deemed important after the initial touchpoint are returned to later for a deeper dive.

People only want the most valuable info in their initial content. Beyond that – say less. Event organizers now need to adopt this mentality fully.

Exhibitors are engaging with many attendees who each have different levels of interest and value if converted to leads.

Both parties must be provided with the means to overcome this challenge.

AI-powered speed networking is the ultimate solution for low attention spans and maximizing high-value interactions.

Organizers pre-determine the length of meetings while the AI algorithm offers a preference-based list of potential matches to participants.

This results in high-quality matches at a pace that values attendees’ and exhibitors’ time (and attention).

The most valuable connections are enabled at speed without the participating parties having to wade through the weeds.

Get straight to the heart of engagements for more valuable connections

Initial event engagements are about getting to know one another and discovering if there is a possible business relationship worth pursuing.

This can lead to alignment of goals, sharing of assets and a mutually beneficial partnership that could last years.

But either party can often determine in the first minute or two whether further interactions can yield more benefits.

This can sometimes even force the interaction longer than necessary out of courtesy.

Speed dating is the solution in the dating world to help people avoid wasting time and enduring drawn-out encounters.

Attendees and exhibitors connect on the essential points they are interested in without fear of appearing blunt or rude.

Technology further enhances this by providing AI-generated lists of potential matches that participants can vote on.

This ensures sessions are optimized to match attendees with the right exhibitors for their specific needs.

Both parties maximize their time and gain the most value from their event interactions.

How speed networking is making events more accessible and inclusive

Networking is a fundamental element of exhibitions.

But many individuals find it daunting to engage with scores of professionals in one day to achieve business goals.

Busy events where the objective is to engage and sell yourself and your brand is intimidating for introverted people.

It takes more effort for them to approach exhibitors, speak confidently and get their point across.

Such experiences can have a completely different impact on neurodiverse people.

Packed exhibition centers with people approaching without rhyme or reason can be debilitating.

Trade shows can quickly become overwhelming if there isn’t a clear structure to interactions.

Which is why speed networking is the premium solution for more accessible and inclusive events.

Introverted attendees can relax knowing that their meetings are pre-planned and are only with exhibitors relevant to their needs.

It gives them more confidence in engagements without the stress of beginning and ending the interaction.

Short sessions with set beginning and end times that aim to discuss clear, relevant topics are also very beneficial to neurodiverse attendees.

This is because it creates a safe, structured environment that doesn’t run the risk of overwhelming visitors.

It is this that makes speed networking a key component of a more inclusive and accessible future of events.

Session formats for every kind of event

A key element of speed networking is the adaptability factor.

Organizers can apply networking sessions to their events regardless of size or location and choose which speed networking format best fits the purpose. They can select from two tailored formats:

• Pre-matched
• Walk-in

Registration for pre-matched networking sessions are set up by the organizer to gather important information from participants.

A quick process that uses preferences and interests to create customizable networking groups optimized for the right connections.

AI-generated match lists are given to participants who then vote on these matches and a schedule is created prioritizing the most relevant meetings.

The organizer then reviews and can manually adjust the schedule if needed.

Walk-in sessions utilize badge scanning and emails to match participants.

Organizers scan badges on-site and an email is sent containing a link to the speed networking interface.

Those participating in the session receive a list of potential matches based on information gathered from their event profile.

They then vote on these matches to tailor the experience to their preferences and inform the final schedule.

Important considerations for event organizers

Speed networking sessions can be crafted for every kind of event.

Organizers need to consider precisely how they can tailor these sessions to participants. Certain attributes must be taken into consideration:

Who are your participants?

Events cover niche sectors as well as large industries with inherent layers so that there are almost sub-industries in them.

These layers have varying levels of relevancy to each participating professional.

If a wide range of professionals from various areas are taking part that will impact the meeting structure.

Organizers must consider the size and length of sessions to ensure participants can meet everyone they are matched with.

As well as deciding how many user groups they may require to keep connections relevant.

Which is the best format for your event?

Knowing who the participants are and the size of the event will inform which format is best for the speed networking session.

Pre-matched sessions are ideal for large-scale exhibitions targeting big or multiple industries.

The organizer can create user groups to increase the likelihood of sessions resulting in high-value matches.

Walk-in sessions are better suited to smaller events or events targeting specific industry professionals, where there is already a pre-determined level of relevancy among professionals.

Participants can then use the voting system to narrow this down to their preferences.

Are you providing opportunities for follow-up?

The session itself is not the most crucial element of speed networking. What comes next as a result is what matters.

Participants will likely need details, context and other key information before deciding to explore a potential partnership.

A speed networking session is certainly not the time or space to get into that level of detail.

Organizers should enable participants to immediately follow up with their most positive connections to explore opportunities further.

Ensure you are setting up your participants for post-speed networking success.

Speed networking questions for attendees

• What products/services does your business offer?
  • Get straight to the point and determine how relevant the connection is to you.

• Who have you previously worked with?
  • Request what is essentially a brief case study overview.
  • It gives you an idea of the credibility of the business and the calibre of clients they have previously worked with.

• What do you think will be the most significant industry impacts over the next two to three years?
  • A good way to determine how much industry expertise this connection has.
  • You can also determine whether their thoughts on the industry align with your own.

• What are your costs?
  • Cuts to the bottom line of every B2B engagement.
  • You find out price ranges and if there isn’t a concrete answer that can inform next steps.

• What are your company values?
  • Find out whether your values align and how much that factors into a future partnership.

Speed networking questions for exhibitors

• What is your purpose for attending this event?
  • Helps determine how hot or cold a potential lead would be.
  • Find out if they are there to explore specific services or just keeping up-to-date with industry-leading tech, developments and best practices.

• What challenges is your company currently facing?
  • Ask in relation to understanding what their needs are or what products/services they are seeking.
  • It enables you to understand how best you can help them overcome those challenges or provide the best solutions.

• What is your company’s background?
  • Gains a brief overview of the participant’s company.
  • Provides insight into how close they match up to the Ideal Customer Profile.

• What are your current top priorities?
  • Can inform you how to sell a particular product/service.
  • Manages your expectations – is what you have to offer something they are prioritizing?

• Which speakers/sessions/exhibits have you found most interesting or engaging?
  • Provides more insight into which industry topics are connection points for them.
  • Can also reveal if they are engaging with competitors.

How participants find the speed networking experience

Participants of speed networking sessions are finding them to be the highlights of their event experience.

ExpoPlatform has received some amazing feedback after providing speed networking sessions at recent events.

The overall consensus is that the sessions force you to dive in and find the strongest point of connection.

Short sessions result in intense meetings that yield interesting results and participants can quickly determine which connections they would most like to follow-up with.

To bring premium speed networking to your next event, check out NetWorks powered by ExpoPlatform.