Is In-person Networking a Thing of the Past?

Networking is a fundamental part of our professional lives. It is a chance to meet new people, forge valuable connections, and potentially open doors to new opportunities. But as we've all experienced, the world of networking has undergone a seismic shift in recent years.

Due to the pandemic, remote work has become increasingly common, and the traditional practice of in-person networking has been put on hold. As we get used to and adjust to the new normal, many are wondering if in-person networking is a thing of the past. Is interactive virtual networking a better way to allocate resources and matchmake with the industry? Or will we return to the days of conference rooms, business cards, and handshakes?

In this article, we'll explore the changing landscape of networking and discuss whether in-person networking is still relevant in our modern world. So grab a cup of coffee and join us as we delve into this trending topic.

Remote work

With more and more companies working remotely, many professionals are no longer located in the same city or even country as their colleagues and clients. Remote work has revolutionized the way we work, allowing us to break free from the traditional office environment and work from anywhere in the world. This newfound flexibility has led to some incredible benefits, like being able to work in your pajamas or take a call from the beach.

However, remote work has also changed the way we interact with our colleagues and clients. In the past, water cooler chats, and in-person meetings was the norm. Now, we rely on virtual communication tools like Zoom and Slack to stay connected.

While this has its advantages, it can also make it difficult to establish meaningful connections and build relationships with our coworkers. It can also make it difficult to arrange in-person meetings and networking events. So, how do you network when everyone goes online?

Virtual networking

In response to the growing prevalence of remote work, virtual networking has seen a surge in popularity in recent years, particularly with the rise of social media and other online platforms. It allows professionals to connect with others in their industry, no matter where they are in the world.

Whether you are a work-from-home freelancer, or your workplace operates remotely, you can feel like you’ve lost the ability to connect with other business people more easily. That’s why more and more companies and organizations host virtual matchmaking events.

Hosting a virtual event is not a hard thing to do, especially when you utilize a great virtual networking tool such as the b2match AI-powered event matchmaking software. With this all-in-one networking platform, you don’t have to worry about missing a single matchmaking opportunity. With b2match, you can tailor your registration process, utilize the home page editor, explore the power of AI matchmaking, create the event's agenda, and take advantage of over a hundred additional tools and features.

Hybrid networking

Hybrid networking refers to the use of multiple types of network connections and technologies to create a unified network infrastructure. This approach combines the benefits of both traditional on-premises networks and cloud-based networks, enabling organizations to optimize their network performance, reliability, and cost-effectiveness.

For example, organizations can use a combination of private and public cloud services, along with their own on-premises infrastructure, to create a hybrid network that can dynamically allocate workloads based on changing demands.

b2match is the perfect example of a hybrid matchmaking platform for events. With its help, you can easily segment participants with a flexible registration form, set up participant limits for crowd management, and distinguish between virtual, hybrid, or in-person sessions.

Smaller audiences - no more!

Live streaming is an effective tool for online networking as it allows individuals and organizations to connect with their audience in real time, no matter where they are located.

By broadcasting live content, individuals and organizations can engage with a larger audience and foster a sense of community, building relationships and strengthening connections. This is particularly useful for networking events or conferences, where attendees may not be able to attend in person.

Additionally, live streaming can be used to showcase products or services, conduct demonstrations, or share educational content, allowing individuals and organizations to establish their expertise and credibility within their industry.

Goodbye in-person networking?

As much as we love the convenience of digital networking, let's be real, nothing beats the thrill of in-person networking. It's the chance to put on your snazziest outfit, grab a drink, and connect with people on a whole new level.

In-person networking events are where the magic happens. You can feel the energy in the room, hear the buzz of conversations, and exchange business cards that you can hold in your hand (there's something satisfying about that, isn't there?). And let's not forget about the free food - because let's face it, networking on an empty stomach is a recipe for disaster!

But all jokes aside, in-person networking allows for a deeper level of connection and trust to be built. It's where you can read body language, pick up on social cues, and build a rapport that simply can't be achieved through a screen. So while digital networking may be convenient, it can never replace the excitement and energy of in-person networking.

Of course, that doesn’t mean you should forget about all the useful digital tools that make networking life easier. By combining your in-person event with the right business matching platform, you can help your attendees have the best meaningful networking experience ever!