What are the best event networking tools?

As every year starts with looking for innovation including improving networking at your events, we decided to help you prepare with what you need to make your next conference or networking event a grand success (10 Years experience improving Networking events). What are event networking tools are there? What is the best event networking tool for your event? Let’s dive right into business and get those answers shall we?

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What is an Event Networking Tool?

Running around with bundles of sheets, trying to remember names and losing valuable time? That's how networking events are without the right tools. 

Event Networking Tools help event organizers use to make networking possible between attendees at various events like exhibitions, trade shows, conferences and more. Different types of tools allow for different levels of ease, automation and efficiency based on various factors and needs of the hosts and users. 

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Types of Tools commonly used (and best tool for your event needs):

‍1. Event Apps

Event apps have recently been in the spotlight for being the flashy new kid down the block. They come feature packed, but with a high emphasis on branding, looks and promotions not to mention the added step of installing the app just for one event (talk about saving phone space and data!). Therefore they usually miss the mark when it comes to more complex event scenarios and in-depth personalization since it requires a lot of new code and extra work per user. 

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The best use case for Event apps would be if you have a simple straight forward event only to have a point of contact between yourself, your attendees and sponsors instead of personalization, customization opportunities, advanced results, performance based ROI and expansive attendee engagement. 

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‍2. Pre-scheduled Meeting Tools

Pre-scheduled meeting tools are a whole different ball game with the core benefit being ease of use not only from the organizers end but also from the users perspective. Such tools are used specifically to make sure that not a single minute is lost while networking (not like Dr.strange controlling time) but by allowing users to get to know, understand, research and book meetings in advance with potential buyers and sellers for example.

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The best use case for such tools is when you have exhibitors, sponsors, attendees, potential clients. Keeping track of everything on the event day itself is far from easy. The added benefit of the top players being web based means that you do not have to download any app, the platform is highly customizable and allows for close to limitless possibilities and feature additions. Such Web-based Networking tools have time and again proven to boost attendee engagement before, during and after the event.

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3. Calendar Booking Tools

Finally comes the good old basic brother of the bunch, calendar booking tools. Don’t get me wrong but they do what they say. Only problem? It does only that. Nothing more. While it is easy, it just doesn't fully incorporate the concept of Networking. Attendees, exhibitors, buyers, sellers all have no differentiations, no engagement, no sponsor communication or any other features other than booking in a meeting (You still have to find, get and feed information about the meeting yourself).

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The best use for such tools are often only considerable with more laid back, slow paced environments that are not constrained by time for example. Usually every attendee does have a calendar on their mobile device so (still one up over installing an app) only thing missing is power packed networking features.

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Networking tool vs Manual work: Do you really need it?

Every Networking Event has different concepts, structures, needs and wants. Keeping all that in mind the clear winner not only seems to be Web-Based Networking Tool but indeed is.

Of course some events do not even need the perfect Event Networking tool for example Group Speed Dating (meetings) can just be hosted with a timer (Try out our Free Meeting Timer) since no meetings have to be booked and everyone gets constantly shifted from table to table until they come full circle.

One could argue the use of Networking Tools enhance or boost up the end results of all events like for example in a Hosted Buyer Seller Meeting, we highly recommend using a Pre-Scheduled Meeting Tool that is web-based for easy user adoption and high levels of engagement.

If you are looking for more inspiration for your next Networking Event have a quick look at our blogpost on Networking Concepts for conferences and trade shows.‍

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Krowden for your event networking

At Krowden we are always open to helping any and all event organizers and organizations to choose the right fit for their event by offering advice, insight and fact based solutions.

Book a quick informal call with our team (Our time, advice and inputs are Free of cost no strings attached). The call is simple, we listen to your needs and together shape the starting point and concept for your event, we then advise you on how to launch the concept successfully in the right way!