Engaging in Networking Roundtables with Associations

Over the next 3 months, I’m hosting 4 major events in France, UK, USA and KSA. Beforehand, I want to share my top tips on how to get the best out of networking. 1. Set Clear Targets Action: Make a hit list of the top 10 companies or people you need to meet. Research what they care about—know their wins, pain points, & what they’re hunting for before you walk through the door. Outcome: These conversations won’t just happen by chance. By doing your homework, you’ll turn a five-minute chat into a deal-building moment. Schedule meetings in advance, & after the event, send a tailored follow-up email that shows you were listening. 2. Take the Stage (Literally) Action: Get on the agenda. Whether it’s a keynote, panel, or fireside chat, nothing says “I’m the one to watch” like holding the mic. Use this time to address the industry’s biggest challenges & position yourself—& your company—as the answer. Outcome: Speaking builds instant credibility. It’s not just exposure; it’s authority. Post-event, share the highlights on LinkedIn & invite attendees to continue the conversation, turning an audience into a lead pipeline. 3. Own the Floor Action: Don’t just lurk—work the room. Engage with key exhibitors, ask questions, & position yourself as a resource, not just another pitch. Be direct but curious: “What’s your biggest challenge this year?” and “How can I help?” are powerful openers. Outcome: You’ll stand out as someone who listens. Take notes during conversations, & follow up within 48 hours with a personalised message. Not a generic “great meeting you”—send actionable insights or specific ideas that move the ball forward. 4. Host the Inner Circle Action: People bond better in a more relaxed setting than over Wi-Fi. Organise an exclusive dinner, roundtable, or cocktail event for a curated group of heavy hitters. Keep it intimate—this is about building relationships, not just showing off. Go easy on the heavy sell. Outcome: People remember who brought them value & connections, not who handed out free pens. Post-event, share any key takeaways & book one-on-one follow-ups to solidify what you started over drinks. 5. Hack the Tech Action: Use every tool at your disposal—event apps, LinkedIn, QR codes. Pre-event, reach out to attendees & book meetings. At the event, swap contacts digitally to keep things seamless, & use a CRM to track every interaction. Outcome: You’ll leave the event with an organised roadmap of leads, not just a stack of business cards destined for a desk drawer. Follow up strategically with segmented, value-driven emails & keep the momentum alive. The Bottom Line: Trade fairs & exhibitions aren’t just networking. Preparation, presence, & follow-up separate those who close deals from those who just collect swag bags. Be human. Don’t think of this as just a branding exercise but an opportunity for long term partnerships. Be genuine - your new contacts will become close contacts, if not friends. Make it count! #revenuegrowth

Let’s be honest. Networking events can feel a bit… ick. Forced conversations. Awkward name badges. Moving tables when the bell rings. That horrible moment where you’re holding a warm glass of wine pretending to check your phone. The old world of events used to make me nervous. And I am 100% an extrovert. So imagine how that feels for the majority of people who already have that gut-wrenching dread of “working the room”. However… Events are still one of the MOST powerful things you can do in B2B. LinkedIn research shows buyers want in-person experiences. 70%+ of B2B marketers say events drive their best quality leads. And face-to-face is still one of the most trusted ways to build relationships. So the problem isn’t events. It’s how they’re designed. When they’re done badly, they feel transactional. When they’re done well, they feel transformational. That’s the difference between “ick” and “ahh”. So as I’m off to BIMA (British Interactive Media Association) annual lunch today, it got me thinking about how I have learnt to design events that people actually WANT to attend. And how you can too... ❤️ Design for conversation, not presentation. Theatre style seating? You’ve told the room it’s a broadcast. Round tables lower the barrier. People can see each other. Chat. React. Build space for discussion. Not just back-to-back slides. ❤️ Give people something to DO! Collaboration breaks awkwardness. Cocktail making. Cooking. Mini workshops. When people focus on an activity, conversation flows. You don’t “network” You connect while doing something together. That’s when walls drop. ❤️ Personalise and make it HUMAN! Generic marketing designed invite = generic turnout. Make the outreach personal. From a real person. Reference why they should be there. Make it feel curated. Attendance and engagement increase. People want to feel chosen. Not bulk emailed. ❤️ Curate the room properly. Not everyone needs to be your ICP. Sometimes the magic happens when you mix roles. Prospects. Customers. Partners. Thought Leaders and Industry Experts. A well-balanced room creates better conversation, and will 100% help you develop a stronger pipeline. ❤️ Make senior leaders feel safe! No one wants to feel ambushed by a sales pitch. If you want pipeline, create environments where people can share challenges openly. Trust first. Deals later. That’s how modern events convert. ❤️ Create continuity. The event isn’t the moment. It’s the midpoint. Content and thought leadership before. And what you create at the event, after! Reference real conversations in your follow-ups, not generic marketing and “great to meet you” That’s how you turn events in to relationships. After years of running lead-gen events and campaigns I know the fastest way to accelerate pipeline is still human connection. But only if it doesn’t feel corporate! So, if you’re at BIMA today, come and say Hi 👋 And if you’re planning events?? You know where I am 💛

Leveraging professional platforms for personal growth doesn’t happen by default. It requires intentionality and a deliberate posture. From my own experience—being part of the Project Management Institute Uganda Chapter, and having formally served on the board—I can confidently say this: the biggest value wasn’t only in the events or the titles. It was in the people and the access to shared knowledge, experience, and perspective. Professional associations don’t just organise events. They create ecosystems. Yet I’ve noticed a common pattern: Some members show up, attend an event, take notes… Then wait for the next event. Nothing wrong with that—but growth often lives between the events. The real leverage begins when you: ➡️ Engage conversations beyond the session ➡️ Follow up with people you resonate with ➡️ Take genuine interest in shared industries or challenges ➡️ Build relationships slowly, not transactionally Think of these platforms as prepared ground. They’ve done the hard work of bringing people together. What you do with that access is up to you. 📷 Pamela Nabisaalu, PMP®️ and Angel Yopa Persis, PMP® catching up during the Jasiri Network network event in Kampala. And no—you don’t need to belong to many associations. Depth often beats breadth. A few well-chosen spaces, intentionally leveraged, can stretch your thinking far more than being everywhere but connected nowhere. One more thought: Every season of life demands something different. What helped you grow five years ago may not be enough now. Being in the right space at the right time matters. Just like planting— the same seed performs differently depending on the soil. A pause for reflection: 1️⃣ How are you leveraging the platforms you’re already part of? 2️⃣ Who have you intentionally stayed connected to beyond events? 3️⃣ Is your current environment still aligned with your growth season? Growth is rarely accidental. It responds to where—and how—you choose to be planted.

Want to grow your network? Get involved — don’t just attend. Industry associations are powerful hubs for building relationships, but real connections happen when you roll up your sleeves. Instead of sitting in the audience, volunteer to help organize an event, moderate a panel, or host a roundtable. For many years, I have spoken at the #NJSHRM conference in Atlantic City, NJ. The same group of HR professionals volunteer, Bill Potter, Rosa E., Louis Lessig, Michael Timmes, and many others. When you contribute, people remember you as a #leader, not just another name badge. You meet decision-makers, create visibility for your company, and position yourself as someone who adds #value — not someone handing out business cards. Business thrives on relationships. Opportunities move at the speed of trust. So next time your association plans a meeting or conference, ask, “How can I help?” Your network will grow — and so will your impact. What association and/or industry events do you attend? Did you ever consider volunteering? #networking #leadership