Networking Apps for Events

What event networking apps do

Most event networking apps combine some or all of these features:

• Attendee profiles and search

  Each attendee has a profile with their role, company and interests. Others search and filter the list to find the people they want to meet.

• Matchmaking

  The app compares profiles and stated preferences and suggests the best matches for each attendee, so nobody has to read the whole list.

• Meeting scheduling

  Attendees see each other's free time slots, request a meeting and get a confirmed time and place, or a video link for online meetings.

• Messaging

  One-to-one chat, often after a connection request is accepted, so people can agree on a meeting or follow up.

• Digital business cards

  Attendees exchange contact details in the app instead of paper cards, and download them after the event.

• Notes and ratings

  Attendees note what was discussed in each meeting and rate it, which helps them follow up and helps the organizer measure networking.

Networking formats an app can run

Networking at events comes in several formats. A good app supports the ones your event needs, in person, online or both.

How to choose an event networking app

Ask these questions of any app you consider:

1. 1

   Does it match people on what matters at your event?

   Industry, role, products, location or goals. You should be able to choose the criteria, not just accept a generic algorithm.

2. 2

   Can you control who meets whom?

   B2B events often need rules, such as buyers approving requests from sellers, or limits on meetings per person.

3. 3

   Does it handle the logistics?

   Time slots, breaks, blocked times, table numbers for in-person meetings and video links for online ones.

4. 4

   Does it work on phones and the web?

   Attendees book meetings on a laptop before the event and check their schedule on a phone during it.

5. 5

   Is it part of the event app and registration?

   If profiles come straight from registration, attendees do not have to create another account and fill in their details twice.

6. 6

   What can you report on afterwards?

   Meetings requested, accepted and held, and ratings, by attendee and by ticket type.

How to get attendees to use a networking app

A networking app only works if people complete their profiles and book meetings before the event fills their calendar. Plan for that:

• Open it early

  Open profiles and meeting booking two to three weeks before the event, so schedules fill before people arrive.

• Ask matching questions at registration

  Collect interests and goals on the registration form, so matches are ready on day one.

• Send a clear invitation

  Tell attendees what to do, by when, and why it is worth it. A template is below.

• Remind and nudge

  Remind people who have not completed a profile, and those with pending meeting requests.

Subject: Book your meetings for [Event name] now

Hi [First name],

[Event name] is [number] weeks away, and meeting booking is now open.

Here is how to make the most of it:

1. Log in at [link] with the email you registered with.
2. Complete your profile: your role, company and what you are looking for. This is what we use to match you.
3. Check your top matches and request meetings in the time slots that suit you.
4. Accept or decline the requests you receive.

Meetings are [length] minutes and take place [at the meeting area / by video]. Your confirmed meetings appear in your schedule in the event app.

The best slots go first, so we suggest booking by [date].

See you there,
[Your name]
[Event name] team

How to measure networking at your event

Networking is often the main reason people attend business events, so it deserves its own numbers in your event report:

• Profile completion

  The share of attendees who completed a profile, a sign of how well the app was introduced.

• Meetings requested and held

  Requests sent, accepted and held, and no-shows, by attendee type.

• Meeting ratings

  How attendees rated their meetings, and the comments they left.

• Follow-up

  For exhibitors and sponsors: meetings that turned into leads and opportunities in their CRM.

Networking on Eventdex

Eventdex includes networking in its event app and runs AI business matchmaking for B2B events, in person, online and hybrid.

• AI matchmaking and top matches

  Matching on the preferences the organizer sets, using string matching, semantic matching and natural language processing, with top matches shown on each attendee's dashboard.

  Business matchmaking app

• Appointments with rules

  Open, semi-open, closed or custom meeting types, time slots attendees can block, and appointments they can rate, comment on and export.

  Business matchmaking app

• Chat and attendee connect

  When the organizer enables it, attendees send a connection request and message each other, and chat with the people they have appointments with.

  Event mobile app

• Speed networking and roundtables

  AI-matched speed networking rounds, and roundtables attendees book by company and time slot.

  Speed networking

• Tables for in-person meetings

  Dedicated tables for hosted buyers, or tables assigned on demand to each booked meeting.

  On-demand table booking

• AI networking agents

  Recommendations of people to meet, introductions and reminders about scheduled meetings.

  AI event platform