Networking Events | Types & Tips
Attending networking events can help you find job opportunities, meet people who can give you career advancement advice, connect with potential clients or collaborators, or build a professional network after moving to a new city.
This article provides an overview of different types of networking events as well as practical tips for making the most of the events you attend.
Create a professional-looking version of your resume to take along to networking events using Quillbot’s free AI Resume Builder.
Key takeaways
- Common types of networking events include informal networking meetups, speed networking events, career networking events, industry-specific events, and business referral meetings. Conferences, career fairs, and workshops can also provide valuable networking opportunities.
- To prepare for a networking event, research the event beforehand, prepare a short introduction and some conversation starters, and make sure you can easily exchange contact information.
- Approach people and join conversations politely, listen attentively, mingle with different attendees, and follow up with new contacts within a few days.
Types of networking events
Networking events are staged by organizations like chambers of commerce, professional associations, universities and alumni groups, coworking spaces, and dedicated business networking groups.
Some events are free to attend, while others charge an admission fee or require membership. You may need to register in advance, although some events welcome walk-ins, so check the details before attending. The table below outlines some common types of networking events.
Types of networking events
| Type of event | Example names | Who it’s for | Defining characteristics |
|---|---|---|---|
| Informal networking meetups | Networking mixers, coffee & connections, after-work networking, networking social hours | Professionals, business owners, entrepreneurs, and others who want to expand their professional networks | Relaxed gatherings where attendees mingle, meet new people, and strengthen existing professional relationships through informal conversation. Often held over coffee, food, or drinks, with no fixed schedule of activities. |
| Speed networking events | Speed networking, speed business networking, speed networking nights | Professionals, job seekers, business owners, and others who want to make new contacts | Structured events where participants have a series of short, timed conversations with different people. Participants typically rotate between partners or groups, allowing them to make many initial connections in one session. |
| Business referral networking events | Business referral meetings, referral networking groups, business networking breakfasts | Business owners, entrepreneurs, freelancers, sales professionals, and others seeking clients or business leads | Focus on building relationships that generate business referrals (participants recommending one another’s products or services to potential customers or clients). Often involve regular meetings with structured introductions, brief business presentations, and opportunities to exchange leads. |
| Career networking events | Career networking nights, career connections events, professional networking nights | Students, recent graduates, job seekers, career changers, and professionals exploring career opportunities | Designed to help participants establish professional contacts who may provide career advice, industry insights, introductions, and information about opportunities. Unlike job fairs, the primary focus is relationship-building rather than recruitment. |
| Mentoring networking events | Meet a mentor, speed mentoring, mentor networking mixers | Students, early-career professionals, career changers, and others seeking guidance from more experienced professionals | Bring together people seeking career guidance and experienced professionals willing to share their knowledge. May involve short one-on-one conversations, small-group discussions, or opportunities to establish longer-term mentoring relationships. |
| Industry- or profession-specific networking events | Networking nights, networking mixers, meetups | People working in, studying, or seeking to enter a particular industry or profession | Bring together people who share an industry or occupation, providing opportunities to exchange insights, develop professional relationships, discover opportunities, and establish business partnerships. May involve informal mixers or structured networking activities. |
| Entrepreneur and startup networking events | Networking nights, networking mixers, meetups | Entrepreneurs, startup founders, aspiring business owners, freelancers, and professionals interested in working with startups | Bring together people interested in starting or growing businesses. Offer opportunities to exchange ideas, find potential co-founders or collaborators, recruit team members, and establish business partnerships |
| Alumni networking events | Alumni networking nights, alumni mixers, alumni career networking events | University and college graduates, and sometimes current students, who want to build professional connections through their educational institutions | Bring together people who attended the same institution or academic program. Career-focused events provide opportunities to meet fellow graduates working in different fields, exchange career advice, and establish mentoring or professional relationships. |
| Women’s professional networking events | Women in business networking events, women’s networking luncheons, women’s leadership networking events | Women at various career stages, including professionals, entrepreneurs, business owners, and aspiring leaders | Bring women together to develop professional relationships, exchange experiences, and support career growth. May include networking lunches or breakfasts, guest speakers, and discussions about leadership and professional development. |
| Young professional networking events | Young professionals mixers, young professionals networking events, emerging leaders networking events | Young and early-career professionals who want to expand their networks, meet peers, and connect with established professionals | Provide networking opportunities for professionals in the earlier stages of their careers. May combine social gatherings with mentoring, professional development activities, and opportunities to meet local business leaders. |
| Executive networking events | Executive networking dinners, executive peer networking, executive networking roundtables | Senior executives and business leaders looking to build relationships with peers and other influential professionals | Often involve smaller, more focused gatherings that encourage deeper professional relationships. May include facilitated discussions, peer roundtables, private dinners, and opportunities to share leadership experiences and business insights. |
Good events for networking
In addition to events organized specifically for networking, the types of professional events listed in the table below also provide opportunities to make new contacts and build relationships.
Events with good networking potential
| Type of event | Example names | Who it’s for | Networking opportunities |
|---|---|---|---|
| Career fairs and recruitment events | Career fairs, job fairs, campus recruiting fairs | Students, recent graduates, job seekers, and people considering a career change | Meet recruiters and company representatives, learn about job openings, ask questions about employers, and make contacts who may be useful during your job search |
| Trade shows and industry expos | Technology expos, healthcare trade shows, manufacturing trade shows | People working in or seeking to enter a particular industry, business owners, and entrepreneurs | Meet representatives of companies operating in your industry, discover potential employers, and learn about industry developments. Opportunities to make connections often arise through conversations at exhibition booths. |
| Conferences and conventions | Industry conferences, professional conferences, annual conventions | Professionals, researchers, business owners, students, and others interested in a particular industry or field | Meet people who share your professional interests, including industry experts and potential employers. Networking opportunities often arise during breaks, receptions, and informal conversations between sessions |
| Workshops and training events | Professional development workshops, skills workshops, training seminars | Professionals, students, job seekers, and others interested in developing their skills and knowledge | Meet people with similar career interests while learning new skills. Interactive activities and group discussions can provide natural opportunities to start conversations and establish connections. |
| Panel discussions and speaker events | Industry panel discussions, leadership talks, guest speaker events | People interested in learning from experienced professionals, industry experts, and business leaders | Meet other attendees with similar interests and potentially connect with speakers. Opportunities to make contacts may arise during audience Q&A sessions or informal conversations before or after the event. |
| Employer information sessions and open houses | Company information sessions, employer open houses, recruitment information sessions | Job seekers, students, recent graduates, and professionals considering working for a particular employer | Meet employees, recruiters, and hiring managers, learn about an organization’s culture and career opportunities, and make contacts who may be useful when applying for jobs. |
| Professional association meetings | Local chapter meetings, membership meetings, association annual meetings | Members of a professional association and others working in or interested in the profession it represents | Meet fellow professionals, exchange industry knowledge, and build relationships with people working in your field. Meetings may include presentations, discussions, and informal opportunities to socialize. |
| Alumni reunions | Class reunions, alumni homecoming events, alumni chapter gatherings | Former students of a school, college, or university | Reconnect with former classmates, learn about their careers, and make professional connections through shared educational experiences. Although primarily social, these events may lead to career advice, introductions, and job opportunities. |
| Book launches and author talks | Business book launches, author talks, book signing events | People interested in a particular subject, industry, or the work of an author | Meet other attendees who share your professional interests and potentially connect with authors or industry experts. Networking opportunities are most likely at events related to your field that include time for informal conversation. |
Tips for networking events
Here’s some advice to help you get the most out of a networking event.
Research the event beforehand
Look at the event description, agenda, speakers, and participating organizations before attending. Do some googling to find out about any people or organizations that you’re particularly interested in connecting with. This will help you to follow conversations and ask intelligent questions.
Prepare a short introduction
Have a brief explanation of who you are, what you do, and your professional interests ready. You can use the resume summary section of your resume as a starting point.
Make it easy to exchange contact information
Bring business cards if you have them. You can also connect with people on LinkedIn by sharing your profile using the QR code in the app. Familiarize yourself with your phone’s built-in contact-sharing features before the event so you can exchange details quickly and easily.
Bring a friend if you’re nervous
Attending a networking event with a friend or colleague can make approaching new people less intimidating. But once you’re feeling comfortable, try splitting up for at least part of the event to meet more people. When you’re together, avoid discouraging others from joining you by turning inward toward each other or becoming absorbed in a private conversation.
Prepare some conversation starters
Think of a few ways to start conversations and avoid awkward silences. You don’t need clever or unusual opening lines. Simple questions or comments about the event, a presentation you’ve just heard, or something you have in common can work well. If attendees are wearing name tags, you can use their names to make your introductions more personal. Some name tags also display employers or job titles, giving you another way to start a conversation. For example:
- “Hi, [Name]! I noticed you work at [Company]. What do you do there?”
- “Hi, [Name]! I think my company has worked with [Company] before. Which department are you in?”
- “Hello, [Name]! I certainly learned a few new things from that talk. What did you think of it?”
- “That was an interesting point the speaker made about [topic]. Is that something you’ve come across in your work?”
- “I’m looking forward to the session on [topic]. Is that something you’re interested in too?”
Practice the art of mingling
If mingling doesn’t come naturally to you, observe how others do it. Notice how they approach people, join conversations, and move between groups.
Look for people standing alone or small groups whose body language suggests they’re open to others joining them. Make eye contact, smile, and introduce yourself. If you’re approaching a group already having a conversation, wait for a suitable lull before introducing yourself.
When it’s time to move on, politely excuse yourself at a natural stopping point in the conversation. For example, you could say, “It was great talking with you. I’m going to mingle a little more, but I’d love to connect on LinkedIn.”
Follow up after the event
Reach out to people you’d like to stay in touch with within a few days of the event. Send a personalized LinkedIn connection request or email that reminds them where you met and mentions something you discussed. If you had a particularly useful conversation, consider suggesting a follow-up coffee meeting or virtual chat.
Frequently asked questions about networking events
- What should I wear to networking events?
-
What to wear to networking events depends on the type of event, the venue, and the industry.
Start by checking whether the organizers have specified a dress code, especially for formal occasions such as awards ceremonies or charity balls.
If there’s no dress code, look for photos of previous events to see what attendees typically wear. You can also use the level of formality people in your industry would normally adopt for a business meeting as a guide.
Business casual is a good starting point for many professional networking events. If you’re unsure how formal the event will be, choose an outfit you can dress down by removing a jacket or tie, for example.
And remember to wear comfortable shoes, especially if you’ll be standing and mingling for several hours.
Whatever you decide to wear, if you’re attending networking events aimed at job seekers, it’s a good idea to take a few copies of your resume with you. Quillbot’s free AI Resume Builder can help you quickly create an impressive-looking version of your resume.
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