---
name: networking-event-plan
description: "Plans networking events with icebreaker activities, facilitation guides, and connection-making structures."
allowed-tools: Read Write Glob
metadata:
  author: matthewhitcham
  version: "1.0"
---

# Networking Event Plan

## When to Use This Skill

Use this skill when you need to:
- Plan a networking event with structured icebreakers and connection activities
- Design facilitation guides that help attendees make meaningful connections
- Create event formats that go beyond "stand around and talk to people you already know"
- Build community through intentional networking experiences

**DO NOT** use this skill for full conferences, sales events, or team-building retreats. This is for events where the primary purpose is connecting people.

---

## Core Principle

NETWORKING EVENTS FAIL WHEN THEY RELY ON ATTENDEES TO INTRODUCE THEMSELVES — GREAT NETWORKING IS FACILITATED, STRUCTURED, AND DESIGNED SO THAT EVEN INTROVERTS LEAVE WITH 3-5 MEANINGFUL NEW CONNECTIONS.

---

## Phase 1: Brief

### Required Inputs

| Input | What to Ask | Default |
|-------|------------|---------|
| **Event purpose** | "What should attendees get from this event? (connections, referrals, community, knowledge)" | Meaningful professional connections |
| **Audience** | "Who is attending? (industry, role, level)" | No default — must be provided |
| **Size** | "How many attendees?" | 30-50 |
| **Duration** | "How long is the event?" | 2 hours |
| **Format** | "In-person, virtual, or hybrid?" | In-person |
| **Venue type** | "What kind of space? (restaurant, coworking, event space)" | Coworking space or private room |

**GATE: Confirm the brief before designing the event.**

---

## Phase 2: Design

### Event Flow

```
## Event Timeline (2 hours)

**0:00-0:15** — Arrival + check-in + name tags + background music
**0:15-0:25** — Welcome + icebreaker activity
**0:25-0:55** — Structured networking round 1 (speed networking or facilitated small groups)
**0:55-1:05** — Break + refreshments
**1:05-1:35** — Structured networking round 2 (different format or deeper conversations)
**1:35-1:50** — Group share-out or closing activity
**1:50-2:00** — Wrap-up + next steps + open networking
```

### Icebreaker Options

Pick one based on group size and energy level:

```
## Quick Icebreakers (5-10 min)
1. **Two Truths and a Business Goal** — share two truths and one business goal, group guesses which is which
2. **Expertise Bingo** — bingo card with skills ("knows SEO," "has run Facebook ads") — find people who match
3. **One Word** — everyone shares one word that describes their business right now, then find someone with a similar word

## Deeper Icebreakers (10-15 min)
4. **Hot Take Round** — everyone shares a mildly controversial business opinion in 30 seconds
5. **Superpowers and Kryptonite** — share your business superpower and your biggest weakness
```

### Networking Formats

```
## Format A: Speed Networking (30 min)
- Pairs rotate every 4 minutes
- Conversation prompt provided for each round
- Bell or timer signals rotation
- Works best for 20-40 people

## Format B: Facilitated Small Groups (30 min)
- Groups of 4-6, assigned by the facilitator
- Each group gets a discussion topic
- Groups rotate or remix after 15 minutes
- Works best for 30-60 people

## Format C: Fishbowl Networking (30 min)
- 5 chairs in a circle, rest observe
- Anyone can tap in to join the conversation
- Facilitator poses questions
- Works best for 20-30 people
```

**GATE: Present the event flow and format choices for approval.**

---

## Phase 3: Build

### Facilitation Guide

```
## Facilitator Script

**Welcome (2 min):**
"Welcome to [Event Name]. Tonight is about making real connections, not collecting business cards. Here's how it works: [explain the format]."

**Icebreaker intro (1 min):**
"Before we dive in, let's break the ice. [Explain the icebreaker activity]."

**Round 1 intro (2 min):**
"For the next 30 minutes, you'll [format description]. Here are your conversation prompts. The goal: learn one thing about each person that you'll remember tomorrow."

**Transition (1 min):**
"Great conversations! Let's take a quick break, then we'll mix things up for round 2."

**Round 2 intro (1 min):**
"This time, [new format]. The prompt is: [deeper question]."

**Closing (3 min):**
"Before we wrap: turn to the person next to you and exchange one way you can help each other this month. Not a business card — a specific action."
```

### Conversation Prompts

Provide 8-10 prompts that go beyond "what do you do":

```
## Conversation Starters
1. "What's the most exciting project you're working on right now?"
2. "What's a business lesson you learned the hard way?"
3. "Who is one person you'd love an introduction to, and why?"
4. "What's a tool or system that changed how you work?"
5. "What's a skill you're trying to develop this year?"
6. "If you could solve one problem in your business overnight, what would it be?"
7. "What's the best piece of business advice you've ever received?"
8. "How can someone in this room help you this month?"
```

### Name Tag Design

```
## Name Tag Template
**Name:** [Large, readable from 6 feet]
**Business:** [Company or what you do]
**Ask me about:** [One conversation topic]
```

The "ask me about" line gives people an immediate conversation opener.

---

## Phase 4: Polish

### 1. Logistics Checklist

```
- [ ] Venue booked and confirmed
- [ ] Name tags and markers ready
- [ ] Conversation prompt cards printed
- [ ] Timer or bell for speed networking
- [ ] Background music playlist set
- [ ] Food and drinks arranged
- [ ] Check-in process ready (sign-in sheet or app)
- [ ] Facilitator has printed script and prompts
- [ ] Follow-up email drafted and scheduled
```

### 2. Post-Event Follow-Up

```
## Day After Email
- Thank attendees for coming
- Share the attendee list (names + business — with permission)
- Include a connection prompt: "Reach out to one person you met and follow through on your conversation"
- Announce the next event date
- Ask for feedback (1-3 question survey)
```

### 3. Success Metrics

```
- Attendance rate (registrations vs. showed up — target: 60%+)
- Connection quality (post-event survey: "Did you make at least 2 meaningful connections?")
- Return rate (% who attend the next event — target: 40%+)
- Referrals (attendees who invite others to future events)
- NPS score (target: 50+)
```

---

## Example 1: Monthly Solopreneur Mixer (30 People)

```
Format: Speed networking (4-min rounds) + small group discussion
Duration: 90 minutes
Venue: Private room at a restaurant
Icebreaker: Expertise Bingo
Cost: Free (venue minimum covers food/drinks)
Follow-up: Attendee list email + next month's date
```

## Example 2: Virtual Networking Hour (20 People)

```
Format: Breakout rooms (groups of 4, rotate every 12 minutes)
Duration: 60 minutes
Platform: Zoom with manual breakout rooms
Icebreaker: One Word exercise
Prompts: Displayed on screen before each round
Follow-up: LinkedIn connection thread in group chat
```

---

## Anti-Patterns

- **No structure** — "just mingle" guarantees people talk to whoever they already know. Facilitate.
- **Groups too large** — conversations die in groups bigger than 6. Keep them small.
- **No conversation prompts** — "So what do you do?" leads to elevator pitches, not connections. Provide better questions.
- **Running long without breaks** — networking is draining. Include a break after 30 minutes.
- **No follow-up mechanism** — connections made at events die without a follow-up system. Share the attendee list.
- **Over-facilitating** — structure enables connection, but too many rules make it feel forced. Leave room for organic conversation.

---

## Recovery

- **Fewer than 15 people show up:** Switch to a single-group format. Round-robin introductions and one facilitated discussion work great for small groups.
- **Attendees are not engaging:** Switch to a more structured format mid-event. Pull out conversation prompt cards or start an icebreaker.
- **Mix of seniority levels:** Create groups intentionally — pair experienced people with newer ones. Frame it as "learning conversations."
- **Virtual networking feels awkward:** Use smaller breakout rooms (3-4 people), provide prompts on screen, and keep rounds to 10-12 minutes.
