What do you do if you're struggling to network as an event production professional?

Be open to be a resource for folks. Connection doesn't always have to be about trying to sell someone something. Join local community networks with people you can relate to, setup up coffee chats to meet new folks. Be someone in your industry that they trust and can reach out to for support without business tied to it.

It's good to have a variety of skills but you need to have something to help you stand out from the crowd. You have to identify what you really enjoy about events and the problems you see that you think you can help fix and zone in on those. Live events are chaotic and ever-changing so anything that can be done to help reduce some of that burden will be looked upon very favorably.

It seems a given to talk about LinkedIn in a LinkedIn article - but it is honestly, a fantastic digital platform to help you extend your events industry network. From posting your work to commenting on others, there are plenty of ways to extend your network. It can also be useful to those who may not be ready to dive into networking events, but don't use these platforms to hide behind a keyboard forever - make sure to turn digital connections into IRL connections, meet up, go for coffee, grab lunch and that will help to strength those connections into people that remain in your network for a lifetime.

Don't be shy to ask questions and to reach out to potential contacts. Worst case they'll ignore your message but you never know when an opportunity may present itself. Follow thought leaders in your niche and see who engages with their content, those are often people worth connecting with.

Attend the industry event is certainly a great way to network with fellow industry. However, unless you are there as a paid exhibitor who has sales purpose. I suggest you drop off all the goals and pitch strategy when meeting other fellows. The reason is that other can have the same purpose in mind of getting you to buy their product/ideas. The best way is to genuinely introduce yourself and what you or your company do, then try to listen as much as you can instead of pursuing others to listen to your deal. Sharing as much knowledge when possible, avoid being salesly, get interested on what other people do. Offer helps in the simplest manner like helping other who lost direction. Make people remember who you are first, the rest will follow.

I may be biased, in that I work in the face-to-face market, but industry events offer an extremely high value for the what I like to think of as the Relationship Quotient (# of connections made ÷ depth of that relationship). You have the unique ability to form stronger relationships by having joint experiences with others in face-to-face environments, and learning to dive into those opportunities is key for accelerating networking potential. You don't have to be an over-the-top extravert, but if you have a gameplan, you'll be successful.

Assuming you're halfway competent at your job people will want to help you continue your career. Don't be afraid to ask for references, referrals, and opportunities. Word of mouth, network and reputation play an outsized role in the overall trajectory of a career within events and they can be your most powerful tool.

Volunteering is a real short cut in this industry. This is live events so in-person performance and meeting is critical. All major festivals take volunteers but also reach out to agencies and offer to be a PA or runner at a very low price. If you get opportunity, you must respect it. Work hard, ask questions, jump in wherever you can, get out of your comfort zone and be polite. Good producers can recognize great talent quickly. You never know who will pick you up.