For a few years, I’ve attended several networking events around the Washington DC area, and just branched out into Columbus, OH while I’ve been at school.
I’ve gotten tired of local networking events.
Never could I have envisioned thinking this, but I’ve been on a hiatus on these events since mid-February of this year. And I don’t feel like I’ve missed out on much.
Local networking events lose the “networking” aspect fast. In fact, many of these events do a complete turnaround on their purpose: networking events become close-knit social events for small groups.
You meet the same people at the events.
Attempting not to go off on some massive generalization—but many of the same locals attend the events, time after time. What is the appeal for a person to go to networking events around the area if all of the same people will be there?
Networking events are rich when the majority of people at the event are people that you do not know. A person would tend to meet new, interesting people from a variety of fields and interests. The unfamiliarity of the people at the event should give a casual networker a charge and not shy them away from going (because they wouldn’t necessarily know most people at the event).
Some people will push their product or ideas on you.
This happens at almost any networking event, but the issue with local networking events—You CAN’T get away.
Local networking events normally are smaller than national networking events, so if you aren’t interested in a product or service, it can be difficult to find others to talk with (if everyone is “networking” at the same time). In my experience, I’ve found that people are more likely to be pursued at local events, especially if the product is locally-focused or a new startup.
No, you probably won’t meet Guy Kawasaki or Pete Cashmore.
For people that go into local networking events expecting to meet extremely successful people or social networking celebrities, they will be extremely mistaken. Many times, the people that you meet are more or less, your peers. While everyone may be in a different line of work or have different interests, it isn’t realistic to think that you will meet someone truly incredible every (or any time) you head out to a local event.
As long as you keep your expectations in check for these events, you can have a good experience at local events. As for me, my hiatus from these events continues, as I tweeted yesterday.
Do you go out to local networking events? What are your thoughts on your experiences at these?
(Photo Credit: Net In The City)
