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Proven Networking Strategies Event Planners Are Using to Scale Beyond Six Figures

Published Date
Author Mario Stewart

https://unsplash.com/photos/business-people-signing-a-contract-at-a-table-iPheGw7_UaI

Building a six-figure brand as a planner can feel like a fantasy when you’re grinding day to day. But here’s the thing. It’s closer than you think. 

And the lever that moves you forward isn’t luck. It’s networking. Real, intentional, sometimes messy, but always powerful networking.

Because one introduction can change everything. One dinner conversation. One handshake in a crowded ballroom. Suddenly, you’re not just another event planner. You’re the planner they think of when the big budgets get approved.

Why Networking Works Like Jet Fuel

Networking isn’t just “collecting business cards” like it’s still 2005. It’s about building circles that push you forward.

Think clients who trust you enough to refer you without hesitation. Collaborators who bring your brand into rooms you couldn’t walk into alone. Mentors who save you from making the same mistakes they did.

And in 2025, networking looks different. 

It’s panels at conferences that are streamed live to global audiences. It’s a quick DM on Instagram that turns into a luxury wedding booking in Montauk. It’s Slack communities for corporate event pros trading vendor lists and crisis tips in real time. 

The landscape is bigger, faster, and noisier, which means the value of genuine relationships is even higher.

Quick Lessons from Planners Who Did It

Seven planners. Seven different paths. All of them ended up crossing that six-figure threshold because they leaned into networking instead of hiding behind their websites.

    • Planner 1 made niche events their playground. They showed up, followed up, and followed through. Free workshops turned into paid gigs. Paid gigs snowballed into referrals. Before long, six figures wasn’t just a dream, it was math.
    • Planner 2 doubled down on authenticity. No fake charm, no cold pitches. They listened more than they talked. Send quick check-in texts. Made clients feel remembered. And guess what. People book people they trust.
    • Planner 3 mastered social media like a pro. Instagram stories, LinkedIn groups, polished but real content. A comment turned into a call. A call turned into a contract. Multiply that by a year and you’re looking at serious revenue.
    • Planner 4 built alliances with florists, venues, even luxury car services. Cross-promotion gave their brand instant credibility. Co-hosted events put them in front of audiences who were already primed to book.
    • Planner 5 treated networking events like opportunities, not chores. They showed up prepared. Not just business cards but also quick, sharp pitches. They joined panels. Asked smart questions. People remembered them.
    • Planner 6 thrived in online communities. Niche Facebook groups, LinkedIn threads, private forums for event pros. They didn’t just lurk, they contributed. Answers, advice, referrals. Which, funny enough, came back their way tenfold.
    • Planner 7 went the mentorship route. Found industry leaders to guide them, but also mentored new planners coming up. That two-way exchange expanded their influence and unlocked opportunities you don’t find on Google.

Tips You Can Steal

    • Pick events that actually matter to your audience. Don’t waste time in the wrong rooms.
    • Follow up like it’s your job. Because it kind of is.
    • Use social media as a networking tool, not just a highlight reel.
    • Partner with brands that make sense. Shared trust means shared clients.
    • Stay active in communities where your expertise shines.
    • Find mentors. Be a mentor. Both matter.
    • And keep showing up. Even when it feels like no one’s noticing.

Where the Right Connections Happen

Networking isn’t glamorous. It’s not a one-and-done. But it is the thread that runs through every six-figure planner’s story. 

And if building a six-figure brand is on your vision board this year, it’s the piece you can’t skip.

Show up. Be human. Follow through. Those little actions stack up. They build trust, they build credibility, and eventually, they build the kind of business where six figures doesn’t sound impossible anymore. 

That’s exactly what you’ll find at The Event Planner Expo 2025, happening October 14–16 in New York City. 

Grab your tickets, show up ready, and walk out with connections that can change your business forever.