10 Reasons Why You Should Host Your Own Networking Event

Have you ever thought about creating your own networking events? If your answer is "yes", you'll understand what I will talk about in this article, if you answer is "no", hear this out. The idea of hosting a networking event in Shenzhen has never crossed my mind until last November 2017. I wanted to attend an event where we, the people of #Shenzhen, could dress nicely and have fun in a 5-star hotel but for a reasonable price. Shenzhen is a “new” city and still needs a lot of development in terms of social and cultural events.

The end of the year was right there and I thought would be nice to make a “small” networking party for the female entrepreneur group I have here. I finally took a leap and decided the organize the event.

The first big event I organized in my entire life was...well…TEDx :-). Chick here to check the event details. I know. I was lucky enough to attend my first LIVE TEDx but to also be the co-organizer of the event. I still can't get enough of it!

We were in the newspaper too!

Then I thought that probably I could get around 20 to 25 people to attend because it was Christmas time and a lot of people were away from the city, but the hotel asked me for 50 people. I made the promotional flyer and let it hit the road. One week before the event, I had 150 people signed up, paid and confirmed and 30+ on the waiting list. Crazy!

So here are the 10 reasons why you should host your own networking event:

1.  It’s freaking awesome

I think I’ve had more fun than the people attending the event because everybody was extremely happy, met new people, danced, enjoyed quality wine and still went with us to an after party. 

2. It helps you to build your personal brand

Hosting your own events will bring you more credibility in your city. We assume if you are hosting an event you must be good at it, therefore, it will add to your credibility.

3. It grows your network of people

Because you are the host, everybody wants to meet you and get connected with you, plus, you can now have access to their contact information and invite them for future events or just for a friendly coffee.

4. It has a big potential to bring you new business opportunities and clients

Clearly, the more quality and like-minded people you meet, the more potential opportunities you may find, simple!

5. It helps you to acquire new skills and develop the ones you already have

This will enhance your project management skills, networking, problem-solving, people management, crisis management and the list is endless…

6. You will start building relationships with the F&B industry, hotels, sponsors and many others

You are now in touch with a bunch of different companies that could also partner with you for other types of events/businesses not necessarily for your networking events. It also gives you an opportunity for you to refer them for other event organizers and they will love that. I have recommended Shangri-La Hotel for a few event organizers. This way, you can also build trust and a stronger relationship with your supporters.

7. It’s not that complicated to get started

Depending on what you are offering at the event, some venues will do the work for you. You just need to make sure everything is ready for the day of the event and that you will not run out of food and drinks. For free flow events, events where you don't charge an entrance fee and events without food provided by you, it could be super easy to get started with. Ready, set? Now…go! You can do this! 

8. Networking events could become part of your business activities

It became one of the activities that I am doing every 1.5 to 2 months, when in fact, I never really thought to have that in my business scenario. After that, your friends and connections are expecting you to host an event and want to meet new high-quality contacts and they will keep on asking you when it's the next one. If you are in the real state or wealth management, for example, you could perhaps host an event related to that.

9. You become the person to go to when someone needs something

That could be good and bad at the same time (my WeChat is crashing every week because of too many messages). People start to see you as the person who has whatever they are looking for because they imagine you know half of the city (which is indeed true) and they know that your connections are high-level contacts. On a regular basis, people ask me for companies, designers, speakers, teachers, and anything else you could think of.

10. If you do a great job, famous companies may ask you to help them with their events 

This is one of the best parts :-). I have been invited by Global Sources to work as a consultant for them for the Startup Launchpad (sponsors, startups, and PR). The other company who invited me to host an event was That's PRD (famous magazine and events company in China), and apart from that, I receive tons of messages on my WeChat from people and companies that want to work with me, including 5-star hotels from Hong Kong.

Are you ready to start your own networking event? Let me know in the comments below.