Likely, you’ve already heard of speed dating, where you meet with a potential date for a short period. After that time is up, you switch to the next person. Speed dating was invented to cut to the chase and see if you’re a good match with the other person, and if so, you’d exchange contact information and move along. Conversely, if it’s not a match, you’d politely decline to exchange information and make small talk until the timer runs out.
Speed networking works on the same principle. You meet with someone in your field for a short period (usually about 15 minutes) before moving on to the next person. While you are meeting, you can discuss your businesses, your goals, and how you can work together in the future.
Because speed networking hosts people in the same industry, it doesn’t waste anyone’s time, and speed networkers can cut the small talk and get straight to the point.
But how do you set up speed networking? At Tribeca Rooftop + 360°, we make planning your next speed networking corporate event in NYC easy. Here are a few tips to get you started!
Get On The Books
The first thing you need to do to begin planning your speed networking event is to plan your budget and book your venue. We would love to host your next speed networking event.
Once you’ve figured out how many guests you’ll expect, ensure your venue is big enough to accommodate the crowd. Once you’ve secured your venue, it’s time to move on to the next step.
Get The Word Out
If you want a successful event, you’re going to need guests. Now is the time to start advertising your event. Invitations to people in your industry and advertisements in trade publications are great ways to drum up support for your event.
Be Prepared
As the Girl Scouts say, “Be prepared.” That means making sure you have everything you need to host your event. From nametags to refreshments, get all your ducks in a row before the day of your event. Be sure you have enough staff from your organization to assist with the event so the work is manageable. You can even generate a list of premade icebreakers for your guests who may need to learn how to fill the entire 15 minutes.
Get On Schedule
The next step is to plan a schedule of events. How long is your intro speech? How long will each duo have to discuss before moving on to the next? What time will you break for appetizers? When will the event end? Make sure you have a concrete plan before you get started, and stick to it!
Call Us!
At Tribeca Rooftop + 360° in NYC, we want to host your next speed networking or corporate event. With our ample space and in-house catering, we’re the perfect location for large gatherings, and our events team is happy to help you with the planning process.
To learn more, please get in touch with Tribeca Rooftop + 360° in NYC today!
