Events such as IMEX are great networking opportunities.

Weinig Holz-Her, an industrial automation company for the woodworking industry, was having an annual sales meeting for 150 in Louisville, KY. The day of the meeting, it was revealed there was a snafu.

“We had signed the contract that had the correct time, the correct date, everything on it, but something glitched in their internal system and they had us booked in the completely wrong year,” says Jocelyn Davis, sales operations and event coordinator, Weinig Holz-Her.

Talk about panic. Davis had 45 minutes to come up with an alternative venue and turned to the invaluable network she has cultivated for help.

“I called all the event pros I knew in the area for help. I was able to connect with the person who managed the hotel directly across the street from where we were to meet. She was able to help. I had the group walk across the street and the meeting continued,” says Davis. “Having that network saved the meeting.”

Davis says that not only is it important for meeting planners to have a constantly evolving network, but there should be curated opportunities for networking at the events they plan.

“Getting everyone into a room together to be able to network and brainstorm and really just talk about what’s going on in the industry is super important to us,” says Davis.

How does she do this? “I always try to include breaks in between sessions, put out some snacks and give people a chance to just grab refreshments and talk to each other. We will also do some icebreaker activities to get people more acquainted, or we send out pre-event surveys to our attendees to figure out what it is that they’re looking for. We also gauge our attendees’ expectations in who they want to talk to and really try to push them together,” says Davis.

She recommends joining industry associations to expand one’s network. Davis is a member of the International Association of Exhibitions & Events (IAEE). In addition, she is a member of Club Ichi, a professional event marketer network that is also a social club.

“Those of us in corporate sometimes forget there is a world outside of our own companies. We’re focused on networking internally, but where does that get us when layoffs hit, or when we want to know what others in similar positions at other companies are doing? This was my experience when I was in corporate, which is why we’ve crafted Club Ichi to be a place where people can ask questions and not feel dumb,” says Liz Lathan, co-founder of Club Ichi.

She says that the club is “a place where they can turn when their boss thinks they already know the answer. Where they can connect with new vendors and agencies and get a pulse on trends and things other companies are doing. Where they can get the kudos they deserve for the work they do which sometimes goes unnoticed inside their own companies,” says Lathan. “We celebrate each other and that makes us feel valued and supported. We also don’t create a sharks and minnows vibe that you often find elsewhere. When suppliers are charged double or sometimes three times the cost of a brand-side person, it puts everyone in a spot where they feel like they have to sell to earn back the money they spent. We eliminate that barrier and treat everyone like the valuable contributor that they are.”

Club Ichi provides events where planners can connect with other planners, vendors and more.

In addition to Club Ichi, Davis is also part of The Vendry Slack group. “I’m always working on building my network with event professionals, especially here in Charlotte, NC. I’ve been working on getting more connections here and hosting a meetup for everyone in Charlotte just so we can stay connected and bounce ideas off of each other. But for me, it doesn’t really matter what city another event professional is in, I always try to network with them because you never know if you’re going to be in a city. And obviously as event professionals, we don’t want any dumpster fires to happen. But, of course, there’s always those weird one-offs every once in a while. So knowing people in pretty much any city that you hold an event is so important because, if you have to sit there and call on a favor with somebody, it’s a lot easier to do that if you have connections in that city versus trying to figure out doing so much research on the spot in a short amount of time.”

She also stays active on LinkedIn, which is another network of experts that meeting professionals can tap into. “It’s all about sharing expertise,” she says. “Everyone has their specialties. For me, it’s dealer and sales conferences and tier-one trade shows. I’m connected to people at exhibit houses and had to call one for help with pricing. It’s having that network to pull from, if you need a second set of eyes or things like that, you’re always going to find other people that know things that you don’t. And it’s super important to just make sure you have a very well-rounded group of people in case you don’t know something.”

This reinforces the fact that connections should not be regulated to just other planners. “Reach out to caterers, entertainers, vendors and related professionals for broader support,” says Davis.

Networking Helps Further Careers

Expanding one’s network not only helps when recommendations and help is needed but also boosts career opportunities, fosters collaboration and helps stay on top of industry trends and best practices.

Networking is career insurance in an industry that is constantly shifting. Many event professionals who found new roles after layoffs credited networking as the most important factor in their job search.

Mentorship is another overlooked benefit. A well-developed network doesn’t just offer leads and resources, it provides advisors who can guide you through tough career decisions, share hard-earned lessons and open doors to new opportunities.

When a planner expands his or her network, they increase their chances of hearing about new job openings, client leads and freelance opportunities that may not be advertised publicly.

According to Bizzabo’s 2025 Event Networking Report, approximately 87% of meeting professionals say networking is important to the success of the events they put on. Attendees agreed saying networking opportunities influence whether they attend an event or not.

As a result of this sentiment, events are built around the connections they can ignite. What this means to meeting professionals is a happy hour in a cavernous room with one bar and a crudité will not do it. This is not a true networking activity anyway. Networking can’t be an afterthought anymore or a few happy hours. It also shouldn’t be a box to check off. It must be integrated into every phase of the event experience, before, during or after.

If you don’t help first-timers meet others, your chances of them coming back lessen. How can you do this? Have them answer questions about their interests and match them with other attendees with similarities. Plan a meeting spot before the opening of the conference for first timers to meet with those who may have attended the conference many times in the past. They can walk into the conference with others they have met instead of going solo, nerve wracking for most.

Technology can also help with networking. Tools like Brella and Grip can help as they use AI-powered algorithms to match attendees based on mutual goals and interests, creating structured opportunities for meaningful conversations. Smart badges enable attendees to exchange information with a tap, track connections made, and even receive suggestions in real-time on who they should meet next. For planners, these technologies are not only enhancing attendee experience but also generating data to measure networking outcomes.

Networking is a great way to stay on top of industry trends and expand your career. Photo credit: Cvent

People Do Business with Those They Know and Trust

Building professional relationships is like building trust, says Heidi Hiller, CEO, Creative Director of Innovative Party Planners & Event Pros. “Always start by focusing on the other person and their story. Once you’ve made a connection, be sure to follow up promptly on platforms like LinkedIn or via an email to keep the conversation going. The goal is to move from a casual meeting to a genuine connection, because people do business with those they know and trust. Make it a goal to follow up with all the people you meet at a networking event. If that is too overwhelming, follow up with a minimum of two,” says Hiller.

Networking effectively is all about being a consistent, recognizable presence, says Hiller. “When you repeatedly show up, listen and remember the people you meet, you build a reputation as a dedicated professional. This consistency makes a powerful impression, turning a series of chance encounters into meaningful connections.”

She has a specific view of what that looks like. “Effective networking for me means proactively seeking out and engaging in conversations, whether by finding a group to join or by introducing myself to someone standing alone. It’s a skill I’ve learned, and I have gotten bolder and more confident with it over time. It has taught me that the most powerful connections often start with a simple, genuine interaction,” says Hiller.

Meeting planners network successfully by being intentional, diversifying connections, and leveraging both in-person and online opportunities to build lasting and meaningful relationships.

It’s important to set clear goals. Define objectives before attending any networking event, such as finding new clients, collaborators or sourcing specific resources.

Prepare your elevator pitch. Have a concise, compelling introduction that quickly communicates professional value and services.

Do Your Homework

Regularly participate in conferences, workshops and local business groups to meet fellow planners, suppliers and venue staff. Don’t go in cold. Most events have apps where all those attending will be listed. Make a game plan as to who you want to meet and reach out to those people before getting onsite. Industry experts recommend identifying three to five people you want to connect with and research their background.

If you find yourself alone, don’t fret, everyone has had that experience in their career. Look for small group conversations and politely join, instead of hovering alone. Be sure to follow up with those you met. Industry experts recommend following up within 48 hours while the conversation is still fresh.

Professional associations are invaluable places to network. Meeting Professionals International (MPI), the Society of Incentive Travel Executives (SITE) and the International Live Events Association (ILEA) are possibilities.

Get active on social media channels. Use LinkedIn, X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram to connect, share updates, and engage in discussions with peers globally.

LinkedIn is a useful business tool that will help you expand your network, take part in industry-specific discussions and share updates.

Incentive travel programs have long understood the power of networking. Top performers not only enjoy a trip but also the chance to connect with peers across departments or even across global offices. Many incentive planners now design dedicated networking excursions — whether it’s a cooking class in Tuscany or a beach clean-up in Costa Rica — that combine bonding, cultural immersion and corporate values. These shared experiences foster relationships that ripple back into the workplace.

By putting these strategies into practice, meeting planners can efficiently expand and strengthen their professional network, ultimately leading to business growth, resource access and personal development.

In an industry built on connection, networking is not a side activity — it’s the lifeblood of meetings and incentive programs. A well-nurtured network doesn’t just save the day when things go wrong; it fuels creativity, career resilience and long-term growth. For planners, weaving networking into every layer of the attendee journey is no longer optional. It’s the differentiator that turns an event from functional to transformational. C&IT