How to Network and Create Events

[Alex Foster]

Hi fellow business community,

I'm looking at ways to wrap my head around creating networking events, and other types of events for my members in 2018. I'm new to this part of my role - event organising & I'm looking for some wisdom.

In my head, I've got workshops from all different industries, motivational speakers, industry experts, seminars etc, but I'm clueless of how to go about reaching out or who to contact.

Any advice?

 

[Dave Sutton]

Hi Alex,
Are your members from a particular background or are they very varied? If they are in a niche industry then I'd try and target particular key figures from that industry - are there any corporate leaders in that field that might have a representative to speak?

Or if it's more varied industries - perhaps create a theme for each event. One week have finance and find a representative to speak on a particular issue, the following week technology etc. Maybe the members themselves may welcome the chance to speak & softly pitch their business alongside talking about a particular key issue they work against that might impact other members.

 

[Alex Foster]

Hey Dave,
Much appreciated for that, good to think about it like that - might be worth doing fortnightly themes or discussions.

 

[fisicx]

Do your members want networking and other events?

Have you asked them what they want and if they are prepared to pay. If it's free you might get lots of interest but not many actually turn up. If there is a fee then you might get fewer registrants but most of those will attend.

 

[Alex Foster]

We've put a few one who we've partnered with through PwC - but otherwise we are working from our own backs to provide events to gain interest. Although I don't really know where to start with contacting industry experts - ie Do I cold call/e-mail businesses, I presume, Marketing Departments? Sales Managers? PA?

 

[fisicx]

...but otherwise we are working from our own backs to provide events to gain interest.

I'm very confused. Your opening post said you wanted to run events for your members. Are you now suggesting you want to run events to find new members?

Either way, what type of events are you planning to run? Are they local, national, free to attend, will have keynote speakers or just promotional booths, what is the purpose of the events?

 

[Alex Foster]

Sorry, it was a long day yesterday. I'm looking at holding events for our current members. They are local, I want to capitalise on Birmingham as a source of these events, I'm thinking keynote speakers from different industries. The purpose of the events are to open our members up to different experiences and industries to help the member with their business - whether that be in finance, trademark, employment & HR, business.

 

[fisicx]

OK. Have you asked them if they want this service? I suspect if they wanted HR support they would do what everyone else does and Googles.

Sending staff to an event to listen to a speaker from an trademark company talk about the importance of trademarks isn't going to excite many people (even if the event is free with a buffet lunch and goodie bags).