Networking That Works: How to Get Attendees Talking & Connecting

Great events don’t just impress; they connect. The real measure of success isn’t how full the room is, it’s how many people leave with new relationships, new ideas, or new deals in motion. Whether it’s a corporate summit at The Glasshouse or a networking mixer in Midtown, your event lives or dies by its ability to turn strangers into collaborators.

And here’s the truth: networking doesn’t happen by accident. It’s designed. The best planners create environments that make conversation feel natural and connection feel effortless. If you want attendees to walk away with more than business cards, this is how you make it happen.

Start Before the Doors Open

Networking begins long before your guests show up. The pre-event stage is your best opportunity to spark early engagement.

Use your event app or website to let attendees build profiles and match interests. Encourage them to fill in what they’re looking for: new clients, potential partners, hiring prospects, or shared passions. Then use that data to pair people in creative ways.

Even something simple like a pre-event “connections board” where attendees list what they’re offering and seeking sets the tone that this is not just another mixer. It’s a catalyst.

Send pre-event emails introducing attendees with overlapping goals. Keep it concise and helpful:
“You’re both working in sustainability and attending next week’s Summit, so I thought you two might want to connect.”

When people arrive already knowing a few names, the ice is half broken.

Create a Welcome That Feels Human

The moment people walk in sets the entire tone. A generic check-in table and lanyard won’t do much to loosen anyone up. Personalization is powerful. 

Consider replacing your registration desk with greeters who can introduce guests to others on arrival. Train staff or volunteers to ask friendly, open-ended questions like, “Are you here to meet clients or collaborators today?” and then make quick introductions.

Offer a simple icebreaker as part of check-in. Something physical or playful; a question card, a color-coded badge by industry, or a prompt to find someone with a matching sticker creates immediate interaction without awkwardness.

When people walk into an environment that’s already buzzing with small talk, they relax faster and engage more deeply.

Design the Space for Connection

How you arrange the venue will directly impact how people interact with each other. A well-designed space will encourage people to move about, linger in spaces, and talk to each other. If there are too many wide open spaces, people scatter and stay too far apart. If the spaces are tight, people will feel uncomfortable and claustrophobic. Neither of these is good because people don’t network at their best when they feel uncomfortable. 

Try clustering high top tables in one area and low deep seating in another. Place food and beverages near both options. People will naturally gravitate to the area where they are most comfortable. 

Play music, but don’t make it too loud. You aren’t hosting a club night. The music needs to add ambiance but not distract from the task at hand, networking. 

Warm Them Up with Structure

Even confident professionals can freeze in a room full of strangers. That’s why structured networking beats unstructured mingling every time.

Kick off with a guided activity that makes introductions easy. Try:

• • Speed networking – Short, three-minute rotations that maximize reach.
  • Small group discussions – Seat 6–8 guests around specific topics, then shuffle halfway through.
  • Shared challenges – Give teams a mini project or puzzle to solve together.

These formats create instant talking points and break tension quickly. Once people make a few connections, informal networking becomes more organic.

Give People Permission to Participate

A big barrier to networking is uncertainty. People wonder, “Am I supposed to just walk up and talk?” Remove that pressure by giving explicit permission.

You can do this verbally at the start of the event, have your host invite everyone to introduce themselves to at least three new people. Or use subtle signage that signals interaction:
“Talk to someone you’ve never met here.”
“Ask: What’s one project you’re excited about this year?”

Curate Connection Points

The best networking moments rarely happen during sessions. They happen in between. Design your schedule with that in mind.

Build intentional “connection breaks” into the agenda longer than standard coffee breaks. Thirty minutes minimum. Avoid crowding them with too many attractions so people focus on each other.

Offer conversation prompts on tables or digital screens:

• • “What’s one idea that stuck with you from this morning?”
  • “If time and budget weren’t an issue, what would you build next?”
  • “Who inspires your work right now?”

These prompts act like conversation catalysts for those who need a little nudge.

Use Hospitality as a Connector

Enjoying a meal or drink together is one of the easiest ways to bring people together. Use this to your advantage by creating opportunities to “break bread” together. Create a space that requires guests to circulate while eating and drinking. This naturally forces people to move about the room, interacting with new people. Small touches like communal seating or shared dessert boards encourage introductions.

Leverage Shared Interests

The fastest way people bond with each other is through shared interests or common ground. When people find they have something in common with another human, they feel a stronger connection faster. Encourage this by creating themed conversation zones. These micro-communities turn a large event into smaller, more approachable spaces. 

Make Follow-Up Easy

The most effective networking events are those that support relationship building beyond the event. As the event planner, it’s your responsibility to make follow-up simple. Give attendees tools to reconnect with the people they met at the event. 

Send out “missed connection” recaps with a gentle nudge to continue conversations. Follow up with highlights from the event that reference key speakers or topics. Give attendees a natural excuse to reach out again: “I saw this clip from the keynote and thought of our conversation.”

Make It Safe for Introverts

Not everyone is outgoing and thrives at networking events. A loud, fast-moving room can be overwhelming for introverts. Create a welcoming environment for everyone by giving introverts space to connect. 

• • Quiet lounges
  • Scheduled one-on-one sessions
  • Smaller breakout circles can create

Having these types of events scheduled will create quieter, more intimate spaces. This gives introverts a more comfortable environment to network in. Attendees will appreciate time to read and respond thoughtfully rather than on the spot.

Learn More About Networking Events at The Expo

Networking that works doesn’t just happen. It’s designed, crafted, and lived, and in NYC, it’s elevated to an art. The Event Planner Expo 2026 remains the ultimate gathering place for event professionals. It’s where industry leaders, creative minds, and global brands connect. 

If you’re ready to build better connections, get your tickets to The Event Planner Expo 2026.