In today’s fast-paced professional landscape, members of trade associations are increasingly seeking opportunities to expand their networks and collaborate with peers across industries. Networking has long been a core benefit of joining professional organizations, but the traditional means of forming connections—through large conferences and mixers—are often inefficient and limited in scope. As a result, associations are exploring more structured, intentional networking platforms like SpeedNetworking.com, which offer a streamlined approach to meeting relevant contacts in a more focused, impactful way. These platforms not only meet the growing demands of members but also provide significant advantages for fostering deeper professional relationships.

SpeedNetworking.com, for example, facilitates both virtual and in-person events designed to maximize interactions between participants in a short period. Unlike general meet-and-greet sessions, these events match individuals based on their professional needs, areas of expertise, and goals, making every interaction purposeful. For trade associations, this structure ensures that members can quickly find and connect with the right people, whether it’s to form business partnerships, share industry insights, or mentor others. These curated networking opportunities are highly effective in providing value to members, leading to higher engagement rates and deeper professional connections.

Incorporating a platform like SpeedNetworking.com into association events or as part of a regular membership benefit also helps improve member retention. When members feel they are gaining valuable business relationships and networking opportunities that are directly related to their goals, they are more likely to remain active participants. This proactive networking approach can also lead to new business collaborations, fostering a more dynamic and engaged community within the association. Structured networking sessions remove the guesswork from events, allowing members to focus on meaningful interactions rather than the often overwhelming task of approaching new contacts in less structured environments.

Overall, platforms like www.SpeedNetworking.com are reshaping how professional associations approach networking, offering solutions that cater to the evolving needs of their members. These tools provide more than just an introduction—they facilitate the kind of targeted, relevant connections that lead to real business outcomes. Whether through virtual events that break geographical barriers or in-person sessions that create face-to-face interactions, structured networking has become an essential tool for member engagement, retention, and collaboration in today’s professional world. By leveraging these platforms, trade associations can ensure their members receive ongoing value, solidifying their role as indispensable resources for professional growth.

The post Trade Associations Turn To Structured Networking Programs appeared first on Speed Networking.

Prioritizing communication and fostering virtual team-building activities support the employee well-being and helps to reaffirm the company’s values and mission in the face of a changing workforce environment.  Flexibility, empathy, and a focus on maintaining a sense of community are key to mitigating the detrimental effects of the pandemic on corporate culture.  Utilizing new methods of virtual face to face engagement like speed networking sessions as a part of a regular leadership cadence are helping Employee Resource Groups to foster a sense of belonging among employees.   

With the sudden shift to remote work for many companies, maintaining a strong sense of corporate culture has become more challenging. Remote work can lead to feelings of isolation and disconnection among employees, hindering collaboration and communication.  By implementing speed networking sessions that create 6 to 8 face-to-face interactions in an hour at a very low cost, the company increases the ability for employees to build relationships and foster a sense of belonging within an organization.

For more information on how SpeedNetworking.com is enhancing the ability of corporations to connect, please visit:     

Case Studies

The post Corporations Enhance Workforce Culture with Virtual SpeedNetworking.com appeared first on Speed Networking.

User Profiles:

• • Participant profiles customized by the organizer with optional relevant information such as professional background, skills, and interests for participating in the event.

Intelligent Matching Algorithm:

• • An intelligent matching algorithm that pairs individuals based on their profiles, ensuring compatibility and relevance in networking sessions. You can modify this to do random matches for simple peer to peer events.
  • Customizable creation of matching factors such as industry, expertise, and goals etc. for the matching process.
  • The system has an option to eliminate matches with participants that have already met.

Time Management:

• • Built-in timers to ensure that each networking session has a predetermined duration, creating a sense of urgency and efficiency.
  • Customizable time intervals to accommodate different types of networking sessions.

Communication Tools:

• • Auto responders and bulk or individual email and text capabilities to enable event organizers to manage marketing, registrations, and participation up to and during the event through the Organizer Dashboard.
  • Integrated communication tools for participants to connect during virtual networking sessions, that incorporate video conferencing, chat, and screen sharing.
  • Real-time notifications and reminders to keep participants engaged and on schedule leading up to and during the event.

Feedback Mechanism:

• • A feedback system that allows participants to provide insights on the quality of their interactions.

Analytics and Reporting:

• • Tracking and reporting features to provide organizers with insights into participant engagement, successful connections, and overall platform usage.
  • Data analytics to identify trends, areas for improvement, and the success of networking events.

User-Friendly Interface:

• • Intuitive and user-friendly design to ensure ease of navigation and a positive user experience that works well on various devices and screen sizes.

Customization Options:

• • Customizable event settings to accommodate different industries, themes, or networking goals.
  • Branding options for event organizers and sponsors to incorporate their logos and colors.

Security and Privacy:

• • Robust security measures to protect user data and ensure the privacy of interactions.
  • Compliance with data protection regulations to build trust among users.

Post-Event Resources:

• • Access to post-event thumbnails of the people they met to enable easy follow up beyond the scheduled sessions.

Technical Support:

• • Realtime customer support to address any technical issues or concerns that participants may encounter during the networking event.

Success Coach:

• • Each event organizer works with our success coach to maximize the effectiveness of the SpeedNetworking.com platform from the event set up and marketing through the post event connections portal.

In-Person Event Option:

• • The same platform is used for in-person events to produce table numbers and printed meeting schedules to facilitate various room set ups.

Option to Exclude or Force Matches:

• • Event organizers can choose to exclude matching participants with people they should not meet or have already met in prior events. Organizers can also force matches to ensure critical connections happen during the event.

By enhancing these features with our 12 years of experience, the SpeedNetworking.com solution set creates a stellar event for participants and makes the networking process more efficient and enjoyable for the event organizer and participants.

The post The Important Features of the SpeedNetworking.com Solution Set appeared first on Speed Networking.

A High-Level View of Association Meetings
Originally published in MeetingsNet, May 2023. Reprinted with permission
Rob Carey | May 03, 2023

ASSOCIATION CONVENTIONS AND EXPOS

Karin Soyster Fitzgerald, AMC Institute’s new chief operating officer, came up through the meetings department to arrive in the C-suite. Here’s what she sees happening with association meetings right now.

In mid-February, the AMC Institute appointed Karin Soyster Fitzgerald, CMP, CAE, as its chief operating officer. The organization represents 180 association management companies that manage more than 1,800 associations and provide project support to another 900 associations.

Fitzgerald brings more than 30 years of meetings, membership, and operations experience to AMCI from both trade associations and professional societies. In fact, the first half of her career was spent in meeting and education departments, where she rose from being a novice meetings manager to a vice president of education in less than 15 years. Then, after five years as a vice president of membership services, Fitzgerald has been a chief operations officer for two associations over the past decade.

Now, her executive role at AMC is focused on advancing the value of the AMC model to associations. “The AMC model has seen tremendous growth in the last few years—even through Covid—and I am thrilled to join an association that represents such a unique industry,” said Fitzgerald.

But throughout a career of escalating roles and responsibilities, Fitzgerald has always maintained her keen interest in the meetings function and its importance to associations’ future health. MeetingsNet caught up with her recently to ask about her observations of the meetings landscape.

MeetingsNet: Which aspects of your new role are you most looking forward to taking on?
Karin Soyster Fitzgerald: I have a much more hands-on role than I’ve had over the last 15 years, with responsibilities in many other areas other than strategic oversight. What I’m looking forward to the most is learning more about the association management company model. While it has been around my entire association career, I’ve never worked for one, so representing the entire industry is a new challenge. The AMC community has grown substantially since the start of the pandemic, as boards have looked for solutions to run their organizations more efficiently.

MeetingsNet: What’s a good way for association planners to find some new, innovative ideas for their events?
Fitzgerald: It is so valuable for planners to see first-hand what other organizations are doing. I’m hearing more and more about planners swapping out time at each other’s events, where they help with on-site duties in exchange for the opportunity to find new ideas for their own events. It’s a win-win for both groups.

MeetingsNet: After Covid, how should associations maintain their virtual-attendee components for annual meetings so that they get a wider audience but not cannibalize in-person attendance? And what’s your take on virtual-networking elements for those meetings?
Fitzgerald: Virtual is definitely here to stay, whether stand-alone or hybrid. As we learned during the pandemic, hybrid events are costly and require extensive coordination. Recording sessions for on-demand viewing afterwards seems to be the most economical approach. The recordings can be edited to focus on content, without the parts of a session that pertain only to the live audience.

As for virtual networking, people became “Zoomed out” in the pandemic and I’m hearing less and less about it. Virtual networking can still be valuable, but it must be done in small chat rooms. Some virtual platforms offer chat rooms that randomly change participants on a timer, and that seems pretty interesting.

MeetingsNet: What are the most important things that associations’ meetings departments should understand as they strategize with their executives about in-person meetings?
Fitzgerald: Follow the money! When I first started in the association world, dues were the largest revenue source. That changed drastically over the years, with meetings and sponsorships becoming a much bigger pieces of the pie. With the pandemic, though, many organizations have moved towards relying too heavily on meetings income. Understanding your organization’s bottom line is paramount, regardless of whether you work for a non-profit or a for-profit organization. Whatever your role in an association, you need to know the value of your work and how it fits into the big picture.

MeetingsNet: If you could get association executives to better understand one thing about the meetings function, what would it be?
Fitzgerald: Right now, the biggest concern is understanding that prices are not going down, ever. The costs of running an event—from flights to guest rooms to materials to AV to F&B—are way up across the board, and executives need to know that adjustments to the program simply must happen.

MeetingsNet: What else should associations’ planning departments take into consideration?
Fitzgerald: From a logistical perspective, with costs continuing to escalate at a rapid pace, I encourage planners to reach out to their venues ahead of time and see which other groups will be in-house at the same time. This way, the planners for overlapping events can share their food-and-beverage requirements as well as their specs for audiovisual and rigging, and maybe figure out where they can get better pricing or share some costs.

From a strategic perspective, sustainability and community service are areas that are becoming more and more important to younger generations, so offering on-site programs for attendees to give back to the host destination is a very attractive element to get them to attend events.

Also, I’m quite concerned about the growing sentiment for boycotting cities or states due to political issues. I hope this slows down, because such boycotts usually end up hurting the wrong people in a destination. A meeting boycott lands on the backs of the local hospitality workers who don’t have much influence politically, and their livelihood relies on our business. Organizing fundraising or other events for causes in a destination is a much better practice.

The post A High-Level View of Association Meetings appeared first on Speed Networking.

Organizations that are looking to do DEI better in the new year may consider ditching a few DEI trends that are more of a hindrance than a help and implement a cohesive DEI strategy that works:

A cohesive DEI strategy includes:

• Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) – These may include metrics related to the hiring, retention, or advancement of diverse talent. Or, analyzing data based on feedback (surveys, conversations, etc.) about job satisfaction or workplace culture.
• Providing contributors with a straightforward way to track their progress and performance around KPIs
• Clear responsibilities – Who does what?
• Implementation of new tools to assist Key Stakeholders in managing DEI efforts and expectations consistently – Lay out the action plan and the most effective tools and route to accomplish it.
• Highlighting the tools needed to bring the DEI strategy to life – Perhaps coaching or consulting is needed for the DEI professional. Or there may be a need for added collaborators, access to data, knowledge products. Say so upfront!

The main consideration must be towards leaving behind any DEI initiative that does not inspire behavior change and does not address the root causes and systemic issues that lead to bigotry, discrimination, and inequity in the workplace. Check-the-box, compliance-driven DEI activities are not the best use of employee time or the company’s money.

Contact a SpeedNetworking.com specialist to learn how we have assisted prominent organizations apply strategic internal networking that addresses DEI objectives with measurable results.  Check out our article on how year round events can help your DEI initiatives,  Click here

The post What Matters Most in 2023 for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion? appeared first on Speed Networking.

There was a time, not too long ago, when virtual events were considered a “Plan B” for professionals looking for networking or career advancement opportunities. When logistical challenges would throw a wrench in the gears of an in-person event, organizers would scramble to put together a virtual counterpart. As backup plans, these makeshift events would usually work in a pinch, though attendees’ expectations weren’t always met.

Fast-forward to what’s hopefully the wind-down phase of a global pandemic, and we’ve seen a drastic (and necessary) increase in virtual or hybrid events. In some ways, this has been a positive for would-be organizers and attendees, as a well-run virtual event can be everything a virtual event can be, with the added benefit of convenience. 

In this blog, we’re taking a look at some of the ways you can set your virtual event up to be a success. 

What Are the Pros and Cons of In-Person Events?

Whether you’re thinking about a conference, workshop, or networking event, there are going to be pros and cons. This is true whether the event takes on an in-person, virtual, or a hybrid format.

The most commonly cited advantages to in-person events largely center around the power of live interaction, such as the ability to understand participants’ tone and body language, drive more engaged participation, and build positive relationships.

On the other hand, there are disadvantages to in-person events as well. For organizers, planning and facilitating these events—in a way that’s useful and engaging for participants—can be overwhelming and exhausting. In-person events also come with additional drawbacks, including:

• Participation is often limited to those who can physically attend the event, missing out on the opportunity to increase attendance through digital accessibility
• The logistics of finding the right space for the event and participants can be challenging. If the space is too small, it can feel cramped, and a too-large space can feel empty (and cost more to reserve).
• The potential of issues like weather conditions or other events impacting participants’ ability to attend the in-person event, whereas a virtual event is always just a click or two away!

What Does It Mean When an Event Is Virtual?

As its name would suggest, a virtual event is simply one that takes place in a digital environment, rather than a physical space. Participants engage with each other, and with the presenters, through video conferencing, instant messaging and discussion forums, and more. The possibilities are only as limited as the organizers’ imagination or the limitations of their chosen technologies. SpeedNetworking.com’s platform was built to empower event organizers with easy, intuitive tools for creating meaningful and memorable experiences.  

What Are the Advantages of Virtual Events?

With proper planning, virtual events provide a number of compelling advantages over their in-person counterparts, including better networking, increased attendance, and more. Here are several advantages your virtual event might produce:

• • Better networking: Networking is all about forging meaningful connections with the right people. In person, networking can often feel overly-engineered, considering there are typically strict time windows for meeting new people, as well as physical and logistical limitations to how widely a participant can expand their network. With the right planning and platform—like SpeedNetworking.com—the virtual networking space can be just as engaging and authentic, if not more so! Virtual networking can also be much more flexible, with participants no longer being limited to a certain geographical area. 

• Lower cost: Not only can the processes of planning and running in-person events be exhausting, it can also be expensive! Renting an appropriate space, providing refreshments or meals, printing out physical materials…these costs can rack up quickly. 

• Increased adaptability: From a logistical standpoint, virtual events provide more adaptability for event organizers. Using a platform like SpeedNetworking.com means events can be planned and put together more quickly than in-person events. Virtual events also offer the advantage of increased inclusivity for a number of different groups, like those with disabilities or diseases or other physical barriers to attendance.

• Accessible analytics: Eliciting meaningful feedback from participants of an in-person event can be difficult, as it’s typically done through an end-of-event survey. By the time they receive the survey, participants are likely tired and busy processing the event, meaning they’re unlikely to give too much meaningful feedback. Virtual events, by contrast, generate a wealth of data that can be quickly accessed, interpreted, and acted on. 
• Better lead generation and conversion: Many companies consider virtual events like webinars to be a critical element of their marketing strategy. It’s for good reason, since these events represent such a substantial opportunity to generate more leads, better qualify and nurture them, and drive conversions.

Do People Prefer In-Person or Virtual Events?

Despite the advantages of virtual events, a majority of people (72%) still prefer in-person events. What this statistic doesn’t consider, though, is the fact that many of the past couple years’ virtual events weren’t originally intended to be virtual. Instead, they were in-person events that had been turned into virtual events. 

By applying a few modern best practices for virtual events, and a digital platform like SpeedNetworking.com, though, you can create a virtual event that’s more than just an acceptable stand-in for an in-person event. With the right planning, you can create a virtual event that will have participants wondering why similar events haven’t been virtual all along!

How Can Virtual Events Replace In-Person Experience?

Transforming an in-person event into a virtual or hybrid experience isn’t always an easy, 1:1 translation. Because the dynamics and logistics are different, they require different types of planning. This shouldn’t be seen as a chore for organizers, though. There are, in fact, imminent possibilities to not just change the event’s basic format but to rethink how it can deliver a meaningful experience for participants. In other words, rather than bemoaning the advantages of in-person events, organizers should embrace the opportunity to develop a virtual event.

Here are a few best practices to consider when planning your virtual event:

1. Ask “WIIFM?” 

One of the biggest keys to planning a successful event, rather in-person or virtual, is to start with the participants in mind. When considering the details of the event, picture an attendee asking the simple question, “What’s in it for me?” This way, you can ensure that you’re using their time effectively and delivering value that’s in line with their expectations.

2. Set the Right Expectations. 

In other words, don’t over-promise and under-deliver. The more clearly you can set expectations in the days and weeks leading up to an event, the more likely participants are to feel like they learned something of value by the end of the event. When possible, provide a detailed agenda in advance.

3. Include Everyone. 

No one wants to feel like an outsider—not in the real world, and not in the virtual world. When you plan your event with diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB)in mind, you can ensure that you’re not going to alienate anyone. There are a number of ways to foster inclusion, from being careful not to use non-inclusive language to explicitly encouraging everyone to engage and participate. 

This idea is deeply ingrained within Speednetworking.com’s Smart Matching technology, which improves 1:1 networking and matching opportunities and empowers participants to make better (and more) connections throughout the event. Rather than relying on a broad matching system like picture profiles, Smart Matching leverages a network of predefined categories to make stronger connections—which helps ensure that DEIB objectives are respected and participants’ time is spent in a meaningful way. 

Ready to Plan Your Virtual Networking Event? Start with SpeedNetworking.com

If you’re looking for the right technology partner for your virtual or hybrid event, go to SpeedNetworking.com to sign up for an interactive product demo. If you’re not sure what all might be possible in a virtual event setting, you can also read a few case studies to discover the power of the platform and get inspired!

The post Why Virtual Events Are Better than In-Person Events appeared first on Speed Networking.

What Are the Advantages of Virtual Events?

Ever since the global COVID-19 pandemic, the world has shifted to a more virtual approach to everyday life. Groceries are being ordered online. Instead of snow days, kids are now experiencing remote learning. The corporate world has shifted from in-person conference room meetings to online conference calls. Even happy hours take place from the comfort of home as opposed to a local bar. 

While virtual event technology has been around for several years, the “new normal” leverages it far more heavily. And for good reason. There are multiple benefits of virtual events. In the following blog, we are going to look at a few of them.     

What Is a Virtual Event?

In plain terms, a virtual event is an online gathering that involves people getting together and interacting within a virtual environment. There is no single physical location where the gathering is held. Virtual event examples can include things like:

• Speed Networking- Where people network in fashion akin to speed dating. Quick, consecutive one-on-one conversations in a low pressure and intentional environment allow participants to expand their network and form meaningful connections in a matter of minutes. 

• Guest Speaker- When an organization wants to bring in an outside speaker or presenter. These events can motivate a workforce, spark intellectual curiosity, inspire change, and educate employees or a community on a variety of topics. 
• Team Building- How employees continue to improve interpersonal relationships with coworkers. Team building activities can improve group morale, communication, and even productivity. 

The list of virtual events is practically endless. Even so, you may be wondering why do any of these events in a virtual space when you could also do them in person? Great point. Let’s take a look at why virtual events are better than in-person events in our next section. 

What Are the Advantages of Virtual Events?

There are several advantages to virtual events. The benefits of virtual events during COVID-19 were perhaps more glaringly obvious in the sense that physical distancing, quarantining, and reducing travel were all at the top of everyone’s mind. However, you don’t have to dig too much deeper to understand virtual events’ advantages, and the disadvantages of in-person gatherings. That’s not to say that there are no advantages to in-person events, just that this blog focuses on the pros of virtual events. 

Travel

With virtual events, there is no travel required. For participants, that means you can attend the event from the comfort of your personal space while also saving time and money. You no longer have to book flights, reserve hotel rooms, or block off big chunks of time to get from point A to point B. 

Lower Cost 

From the perspective of an event host, virtual events are far more inexpensive than hosting something in-person. As opposed to:

• reserving an event center
• organizing different conference room schedules and logistics
• and providing ample refreshments for all attendees

you can simply: 

• create a virtual schedule
• pick a virtual platform
• and send out a link to everyone

Not only does that reduce your costs, but it also considerably reduces the number of moving parts. This makes virtual events easier to plan and execute as well.

Increased Participation and Analytics

With in-person events, you might be limited to a certain capacity for breakout sessions or workshops. That challenge can easily be overcome with virtual events since you are not limited by physical space. Plus, similar to

the lack of travel planning, more people can join a virtual event because it doesn’t require as much time or planning ahead. Additionally with virtual events, people can attend from all over the world.

In addition to increasing participation, with virtual events you can also access analytics in a jiffy. You can see how many people attended each session, how long they stayed, how active they were, and more. This can help you make decisions about how to plan or adjust future events to be even better. 

What Are the Advantages of a Virtual Platform Like SpeedNetworking.com? 

At SpeedNetworking.com, we have been in the connection business for a while. We know networking can take place in all sorts of ways. That’s why we offer virtual, in-person, and hybrid options through our SaaS virtual events platform. 

We use proven algorithms to ensure each event attendee can network with deliberate and meaningful connections through a series of one-on-one meetings. With our wealth of experience and our passion for what we do, we ensure each event’s specific needs are met and that all parties walk away with a positive experience. 

Check out some of our case studies to learn exactly what we have to offer, or go through a live demo today! If you’re ready to get started, contact us! 

The post What Are the Advantages of Virtual Events? appeared first on Speed Networking.

So what in the world is Predictive Matchmaking and how is it improving the process in which professionals meet at conferences/trade shows, alumni event, user conferences or networking events in general?

Think about your attendees needs and imagine connecting them with the people they are seeking and how that would impact your event and the impact of them returning for future events.

Predictive Match Making offers several unique advantages to traditional networking platforms for event organizers such as:

• Preview how individuals are matched up prior to the meetings taking place.
• Change the parameters on how individuals are to be paired together.
• Review and edit matches to ensure the highest quality of connections
• Furthermore, if they don’t like all or some of the matches…they system can rematch participants based on the organizers direction.

Moreover, event organizers can see how successful their pairings of matches can be with a specialized scoring system….and if you don’t like the scores, redo the matching structure and see the new outcome (and repeat until the right matching parameters are fulfilled)!

And trust us, successful people love structure…and knowing who they are going to meet elevates their interest in participation and increases their overall satisfaction.

The post We’ve Entered the World of Predictive Matchmaking Solutions appeared first on Speed Networking.

1. It’s not Zoom Rooms or Similar!
   Virtual matchmaking solutions are much more comprehensive and offer strategic matching supported by a well-orchestrated process to take attendees through a series of one-to-one private engagement meetings based on pre-defined matching criteria. These solutions save tremendous time on trying to match people up and dealing with the myriad of headaches that can be endured trying to match people together and then place them in a private virtual room.  
2. Solves Inclusion and Diversity Management
   Diversity in the workplace has long since been of paramount importance. Putting aside the social awareness benefit of a great diversity program, the outcomes significantly impact recruitment, retention, innovation, opportunities for new markets, financial outcomes, employee satisfaction and overall corporate culture.
3. Diversifies Attendee Networking Options
   Networking programs are like a financial portfolio; you don’t put all your eggs in one basket and financial professionals strongly encourage diversification. Not all networking programs fit the needs of individuals.  Diversify networking programs ensures opportunities for all types of attendees.  Programs can include buyer/seller, mentoring, leadership training, team building, knowledge sharing, cross department collaboration and much more!
4. Reduce Administrate Time & Stress
   Today’s solutions, such as SpeedNetworking.com, significantly reduce organizers administrative time and reduces stress as the tools today assist with set up, marketing, matching and the engagement of people is an innovative, engaging, and meaningful method.
5. Improve Meeting Quality
   Utilizing match making platforms significantly increases the chances that people meet the right people and helps ensures new smart connections. Additionally, SpeedNetworking.com allows organizers greater control through customization to ensure the best possible matching outcomes. 
6. Increase Attendee Engagement
   Attendees are busy people. When they know there is a solution to help ensure they meet the right people, participation significantly increases as this type of platform provides a greater opportunity of meeting the right people, as such, organizations have seen an increases in participation. 
7. Boost Recruitment / Retention
   Connecting attendees to the right people shows them the organization takes great interest in ensuring matching with the right people is important. In return for the organization’s efforts, attendees show their appreciation in turn by increased loyalty and retaining their relationship and spreading the good word about the organization on to others.  
8. Create New Revenue / Sponsorship Opportunities
   For organizations seeking to increase revenue opportunities, platforms, such as SpeedNetworking.com, offer multiple strategic sponsorship opportunities to maximize their sponsorship dollars and increase the chance for the best ROI.
9. Increase Attendee & Organization ROI
   For the organizers, reduced administrative, production, marketing and sponsorship opportunities supported by increase attendee participation and satisfaction leads to an elevated ROI. Furthermore, with quality reporting, the ROI can be validated to share with other staff and senior leadership.
10. Obtain Real Time & Comprehensive Valuable Data and Analyzing Outcomes
    Identifying a platform that provides smart reporting helps organizers understand the matching needs of their attendees. After reviewing all the data and analytics post an event, organizers can make smarter decisions on how to plan future events as they identify the very specific needs of their attendees.  Additionally, working with a platform that not only delivers the solution but works directly with the organizer to make suggestions for future events….is a no brainer…check out SpeedNetworking.com (we had to end with a plug!!!!)

Interested in learning more about SpeedNetworking.com, we’d love to connect with your.  Please follow “Click Here” to get started to learn how we can help your organization.

The post Top Reasons for Using Virtual Matchmaking appeared first on Speed Networking.

But because you only get a few minutes, you need to make the most of them. There’s no time for fluff or unnecessary small talk.

To really get to know the person across from you, you need to ask the right questions. It’s key to maximizing conversations and creating meaningful connections.

Here are one-hundred actually interesting speed networking questions to help kick off conversations:

(If you’re an event planner, we also have tips + tricks for how to host a successful speed networking event.)

Job-specific speed networking questions:

• What does a typical day look like for you?
• What is your favorite—and least favorite—part of your job?
• What’s the biggest project you’re currently working on?
• What is the most challenging part of your job?
• How do you overcome those challenges?
• How long have you been working in this job?
• How long do you see yourself continuing to work in this job?
• What are you most proud of accomplishing?
• What is an example of a time you failed in this job?
• What did you learn from it?
• What would you change about this job if you could?
• Do you have any advice for someone who wants a similar job?
• What does the future of this job look like for you?
• What types of teams do you work with?
• How many people are a part of your team?
• Do you have a mentor at this job?
• How about a mentee?
• Is there any way I can help you land a similar job?

Company-specific speed networking questions:

• What does your company do?
• Where is the company located?
• Do they have more than one office?
• How many people work for your company?
• What is your favorite—and least favorite—part of your company?
• What kind of perks does your company offer?
• Have you met the CEO?
• What types of professional development opportunities does your company offer?
• What is the organizational structure like at your company?
• How would you describe your company’s culture?
• What advice would you give to management at your company?
• How does your company measure success?
• Is your company meeting its mission?
• What is the most unique thing about your company?
• What would you say to someone who wants to work for your company?

Career-specific speed networking questions:

• What made you choose this career?
• Did you always know you wanted this type of career?
• What sparked your initial interest?
• What is the most challenging part of your career?
• What is the most rewarding part of your career?
• Do you have any advice for people who want to follow a similar career path?
• What is the most helpful information you’ve learned in your career?
• What hard and soft skills help you succeed the most in your career?
• What do you wish you knew more about?
• Where do you see yourself five years from now?
• Where were you five years ago?
• How can I help you in your career?

Industry-specific speed networking questions:

• What does the outlook of this industry look like?
• Is it growing or shrinking?
• What industry-specific tools have you found most helpful?
• Are there any industry certifications that I should be aware of?
• What advice do you have for building connections within this industry?
• Have you attended any industry conferences?
• And if so, what did you learn?
• What is the best way to break into this industry?
• What hurdles is this industry currently facing?
• How has technology affected the way this industry works?
• What is the best way to stay in the know about industry happenings?
• What is the biggest change this industry is undergoing?
• How can I help you in the industry?

Productivity-specific speed networking questions:

• How do you stay organized?
• What tools or software do you use to increase your productivity?
• Do you use a project management software?
• What kind of communication platforms do you use? Email, Slack, instant messaging, etc.
• Do you have any routines that have helped increase your productivity?
• How do you decide which tasks to tackle first?
• Do you make a to-do list every day?
• If so, how do you organize it?
• What’s the best advice you received that has helped you be more productive?

How-to-get-hired speed networking questions:

• What do you look for in a candidate?
• What should I include in my resume?
• What shouldn’t I include?
• Are there specific skills that need to be on my resume?
• Do I need an online portfolio?
• What can I do to set myself apart from other candidates?
• What do you look for in a cover letter?
• What interview tips do you have?
• What is the biggest mistake candidates make in the hiring process?
• What questions should I ask in an interview?
• What do you think is more important: previous experience or a willingness to learn?
• How should I follow up after an interview? With a hand-written note or an email?
• Is there anything I can do to help you get hired?

Event-specific speed networking questions:

• What brought you to this event?
• What are you hoping to take away from it?
• Are there any specific people—or types of people—you’re hoping to meet?
• Have you attended a speed networking event before? How did it go? What did you learn?
• Do you have any speed networking tips?
• How can I help you meet your networking goals at this event?
• Is there anyone here I can introduce you to here?
• Is there anyone in my network I can introduce you to?

It’s important to remember that networking isn’t just about you. It’s important to ask the questions you need answers to, but don’t forget to ask how you can help too.

Here are some helpful networking tips + tricks.

You should focus on long-lasting relationships, not short-term transactions.

Networking is really just a fancy word for relationship building. Care about who people are—not just what they can do for you.

Remember that you must give before you get. There needs to be cultivation before solicitation. Sell through the room, not to the room.

And never underestimate the importance of a thoughtful thank-you note. Your follow-up is just as important as your first impression.

So, there you have it. Speed networking questions that are actually interesting.

If you’re one of the many people who dread networking, just remember to stay curious. Ask questions you actually want to know the answer to. Be your authentic self so you don’t feel phony or fake.

If you’re interested in hosting a speed networking event, we’d love to help. Not only do we have years of experience under our belt, but we also have a special technology up our sleeve.

Allow us to introduce you to the idea of matching software. Rather than having attendees rotate each round to the next chair, we match based on mutual interests.

Attendees can quite literally pre-select the types of people they’re interested in meeting. Need we say more?

To learn more about us (and our technology), give us a call or schedule an online demo. We’d love to learn more about your organization and networking needs.

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