What are the top networking events for business growth in the staffing industry?

1 Identify your target audience

Before you start searching for networking events, you need to have a clear idea of who you want to connect with. Are you looking for potential clients, candidates, partners, or mentors? What are their pain points, needs, and interests? What are their preferred channels, formats, and locations? By defining your target audience, you can narrow down your options and focus on the events that match your criteria.

2 Research online and offline sources

There are many ways to find networking events for the staffing industry, both online and offline. You can use platforms like Eventbrite, Meetup, or LinkedIn to browse and filter events by category, location, date, or keyword. You can also join industry associations, groups, or forums that organize or promote events for their members. Additionally, you can ask your existing contacts, clients, or candidates for recommendations or referrals. They may know of some hidden gems or invite you to exclusive events.

3 Choose quality over quantity

When it comes to networking events, quality matters more than quantity. You don't want to waste your time and money on events that are irrelevant, overcrowded, or poorly organized. Instead, you want to attend events that offer value, opportunities, and engagement. Some factors to consider are the agenda, the speakers, the attendees, the format, and the feedback. You can also check the event website, social media, or reviews to get a sense of what to expect.

4 Prepare and follow up

Once you have selected the networking events that suit your goals and budget, you need to prepare and follow up. Before the event, you should set some objectives, research the attendees, and prepare your pitch and materials. During the event, you should be proactive, friendly, and professional. You should also exchange contact information and collect business cards. After the event, you should follow up with your new contacts, thank them for their time, and keep in touch.

5 Examples of top networking events

If you're looking for networking events to help your business grow in the staffing industry, there are several top events to consider. Staffing World, Recruitment Agency Expo, Staffing Industry Analysts Executive Forum, NAPS Conference, and HR Tech are all great options. Each event offers its own unique format, region, and topics. For instance, Staffing World offers keynote speakers, breakout sessions, workshops, and networking opportunities. Recruitment Agency Expo offers seminars, panel discussions, and masterclasses. Staffing Industry Analysts Executive Forum provides insights and best practices for CEOs and senior-level executives. NAPS Conference offers certification programs and educational sessions. And HR Tech features product demos and case studies. All of these events cover topics such as technology, marketing, compliance, strategy, leadership, growth, innovation, diversity, recruiting, sales, legal issues, and ethics.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?