Leaders in any industry understand the importance of networking. It’s a tough truth, but the power and benefits of creating connections can’t be underestimated.
But what if your organization doesn’t already have those extensive relationships? What if you are just beginning your career or business? Meeting people can be a bit of a challenge, but creating a bond is a completely different animal.
Luckily, there is one growingly popular avenue that can solve several issues and concerns when it comes to establishing connections — networking events.
Here are five reasons why creating, attending or participating in these events is important for you and your organization.
1. They Refine Your Message
Meeting and speaking with people in your industry gives you the unique opportunity to learn about their organizations. These conversations can provide insight into the peaks and valleys others endure and how they improved over time. Gathering this information will help hold a mirror up to you and your own business. Ashley Stahl of Forbes Magazine described these events as “a great place to hone in on your company’s mission statement, and they really help you definitively determine what you stand for.”
2. They Improve Mental Health
While we enjoy our alone time, humans inherently crave social interaction. Networking over social media websites such as LinkedIn can be beneficial, but those connections don’t compare to in-person communication. Meeting others face-to-face and cultivating new professional friendships defeats the feeling of isolation that might occur in everyday life. Being part of a community of people with similar interests can be an outlet away from forms of mental illness.
3. They Are Versatile
Networking events can be held literally anywhere, anytime. While some can take place at a local chamber of commerce, others can be in exotic, prestigious locations. For example, the 2023 Community Rec Leadership Summit is taking place on March 1-3 at the Omni La Costa Resort and Spa in Carlsbad, California and acts as a networking event for dozens of leaders across the industry. That’s the beauty of these networking experiences. They can be whatever you want them to be. The possibilities are endless.
4. They Provide a Foundation
The immediate effects of networking events aren’t the only benefits. If you happen to ever be job searching in the future, the connections you made through networking could keep you within your field of choice. Demisha Jennings, career strategist and the CEO of She Assists, said, “People think that just because they’re employed, they don’t need to network, attend events or put themselves out there. But as far as I’m concerned, there is no job security ever. You always need to lean into networking opportunities so when future opportunities arise, you are the top candidate.”
5. They Foster Motivation
Anyone can search for new ideas or ways to improve their organization by opening the Internet. But how much does that inspire us to follow through on those ideas with full passion? Networking events often act as a source of energy and inspiration for those who attend. Being around other like-minded, passionate people who are discussing the industry will captivate and motivate you. Many attendees of annual Peake Media events say they leave on a recharged, emotional high. Any successful networking event should have this impact.
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