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Spaces to Mix and Mingle

• Allow for open pre-function areas, wide hallways and comfortable lounge spaces adjacent to sessions so people can continue conversations before, after and between programs.
• Cramped spaces outside rooms cause crowds that discourage networking while sparse hanging areas allow people to easily exit rather than stop to chat.

Seating Arrangements

• Maximize open floor plans with mostly standing tables along walls and scattered highboys to facilitate circulating rather than formal rounds that cloister small groups.
• Have adjacent comfortable couches, benches and living room arrangements to continue discussions but minimize sit-down dining setups.

Acoustic Management

• Prioritize sites designed with sound dampening materials, thick walls between rooms and quality PA systems so conversations don't require straining from background noise.
• Noise encouragement networking groups to move out rather than linger unless the music and energy aligns with the intended atmosphere.

Adequate Lighting

• Demand spaces with huge windows, outdoor access and bright lighting balanced with flexible dimmer switches to set the desired ambience.
• Overly dark or harsh lighting hastens attendee departure for the exit rather than another interaction.

Reliable Wi-Fi

• Guarantee sufficient bandwidth and routers to avoid bottlenecks for hundreds of devices so attendees can exchange digital information and use apps without frustrating lags or drop-offs.
• Spotty connections disrupt the exchange of networking information plus prevents technology like Connect Space from enabling interactions.

Wayfinding Signage

• Well designed directional signage placed strategically throughout venues guides people to desired locations, important amenities and recommended networking hubs preventing confusion and wasted time looking for areas.
• Limited or confusing signage causes frustration that manifests as negative impressions making networking more difficult afterwards.

Food & Beverage Stations

• Demand multiple drink and snack stations spread conveniently around lobbies, corridors and pre-function spaces so networking conversations aren't interrupted by necessities.
• Scarce, hard to find and overcrowded food/beverage areas guarantee people abandon networking in favor of their needs.

Incorporate Technology

• Digital platforms provide huge opportunities to improve networking before, during and after events. Integrating innovations like Connect Space enhances meaningful interactions through better data, efficient scheduling and extended conversations.

Here are key capabilities to look for in an event app to impact attendee networking:

1. Matchmaking Algorithm

This automatically recommends relevant people to connect with based on mutual compatibilities like industry focus, job roles and product interests collected during the registration process and onsite through lead retrieval tools. Rather than leaving introductions to chance encounters, technology enables powerful networking intelligence.

2. Interactive Profiles

Encourage participants to complete detailed profiles covering their professional background, organizations, product/service offerings, current goals and other relevant details. This provides conversation starters when matched attendees first meet in person while powering the recommendations.

3. Smart Scheduling

Networking is hampered when people gravitate to the same popular venues, guest speakers or exhibitors. Leverage real time recommendations to distribute attendee flows more evenly across solutions onsite. This prevents congestion and improves interactions with vendors most relevant to individual interests.

Gamification

People need extra motivation to network effectively when pulled by agendas and existing internal contacts. Networking games that reward meeting new people via points, recognition on leaderboards and prizes results in more connections actually made.

Lead Retrieval

Scanning attendee badges during conversations captures engagement data across booths, venues and sessions. This reveals behavioral insights to optimize future events while informing post-event followup for sponsors based on in-person interactions.

Post-Event Access

Don't limit networking to only during the event days. Keep conversations going by providing both attendees and exhibitors access to profiles, presentations, recordings and contact capabilities after via chat, embeddable comment streams, integrated video meetings and email templates.

Interaction Insights

Convert the plethora of engagement data via scans, visits and platform interactions into actionable analytics. Dashboards flag emerging topics amongst participants, highlight standout sessions, popular vendors and promising individuals worth meeting based on networking behaviors.

Designing Environments

Even utilitarian event venues can encourage networking through creative layouts and design choices leveraging spacial psychology and behavioral architecture principles.