Online event tips: 7 creative ideas for successful networking

If you're planning a virtual event, you should make sure that your attendees have the opportunity to network and exchange ideas effectively. Whether you are organizing an event for the first time or simply looking for some inspiration, we present 7 concrete ideas to make your virtual networking event a success.

1. introduction rounds and icebreaker games

Networking means making contacts and building relationships. As the organizer, it is therefore your job to create a space in which conversations can take place and participants can exchange ideas. Icebreakers and introductions are a good way to get things started. Depending on the structure of the event, these can look very different. Two of our favorites are "Speed Introductions" and "Show and Tells".

  • Speed introductions: All participants have 1-2 minutes to introduce themselves, describe their activities or goals and share their contact details. Afterwards, the participants switch and meet new conversation partners. Speed introductions work best online by randomly sending attendees to different breakout rooms. This function is available in most event software.
  • Show and Tell: Participants choose a personal object or symbol that says something about him or her. They then have one minute to present their chosen object and explain why it is important or meaningful to them. This game encourages participants to get to know each other and allows them to show their personality and interests in a creative way.
The whole thing also works a little easier with icebreaker questions. For example:
 
  • Which book or movie could you read or watch again and again?
  • Which trends or innovations in your industry are you most excited about right now?
  • Is there a particular quote or piece of wisdom that inspires you?
  • Do you have a favorite dish or culinary specialty that you can recommend?
  • If you could spend a day in another age, which one would you choose?

2. interactive discussion groups and panels

To bring the right people together, you can organize topic-related discussion groups in which participants can talk about specific areas of interest or professional challenges. This promotes the exchange of knowledge and experience and allows participants to network in their respective departments.

Expert presentations and panels offer an additional opportunity to exchange knowledge. Invite industry-renowned experts to give presentations or take part in discussion panels. One advantage of this method is that the participation of renowned experts usually attracts more visitors to your event.

3. speed networking and speed meetings

Another networking idea is speed networking. Inspired by the concept of speed dating, it enables participants to meet lots of new people in a short space of time. In speed networking, participants are brought together with different people at regular intervals according to a rotation principle. These short but intensive conversations offer the opportunity to introduce themselves, exchange information and gain initial impressions in a short space of time.

4. networking games and activities

Making new contacts and constantly meeting new people can quickly become exhausting. Networking games loosen up the atmosphere and help participants to get to know each other in a relaxed mood. Two of our favorites are Networking Bingo and the Scavenger Hunt:

  • Networking bingo: Instead of numbers, the bingo cards contain typical networking tasks, goals or characteristics that need to be fulfilled. Each card contains a selection of networking elements such as "Exchange business cards with someone", "Find someone with similar interests" or "Have a conversation about a common challenge". Participants receive their bingo cards at the beginning of the event and then try to fulfill the tasks on their card by interacting with other participants.
  • Scavenger-Hunt: Bei dieser Schnitzeljagd erhalten die Teilnehmer:innen eine Liste von Aufgaben oder Gegenständen, die sie online finden oder erledigen müssen. Ziel ist es, diese Aufgaben so schnell wie möglich abzuschliessen und Punkte zu sammeln. Das Lösen der Aufgaben erfordert Teamwork, sodass die Teilnehmenden auch hier Kontakte knüpfen können.

5. mentoring sessions

Mentoring sessions are a fantastic networking idea that allows participants to gain valuable insights and guidance from experienced professionals. In these sessions, they can ask questions, discuss challenges and benefit from the experts' valuable tips and advice. Mentoring sessions also provide a good basis for building relationships that last beyond the event.

In virtual event platforms such as Veertly, participants can customize their profiles with personal information and tags. Mentors and mentees thus have less difficulty finding each other and can spend more time having meaningful conversations.

6. networking workshops

Another way to interactively engage participants and provide them with practical skills is through networking workshops. These special workshops focus on various topics that are relevant to networking and help participants to improve their skills and confidence in networking situations. Popular workshop topics include practicing elevator pitches, posture and small talk.

7. informal networking

Sometimes the best conversations happen outside of the formal program. Therefore, you should also consider creating informal opportunities for participants to connect on a personal level. After-work meetings, group lunches or virtual coffee breaks provide the perfect backdrop for informal conversations and allow participants to get to know each other and exchange ideas in a relaxed atmosphere. Various event apps offer different functionalities such as virtual event maps and roundtables.

Which networking idea suits your event?

Each of the above activities promotes sharing, getting to know each other and building relationships, which ultimately leads to a successful networking experience. However, it is up to you to decide which idea fits best into the framework of your virtual event. As a general rule, a mix of structured program items and casual meeting opportunities will result in an engaging and interactive experience for attendees.

You can find more tips and tricks on the topics of virtual conferences, hybrid events and all-hands meetings on our blog .

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