Antony Vila

At the speed networking events we organise, attendees fill in a scorecard for each meeting they have. They write down the number of the person they have just met (unique), a score (based on the likelihood of future business) and any additional comments. After the event they are emailed a list of everybody they met, ordered by the score they gave them. At every new event, we have an algorithm which checks through our records of who had met whom at previous events A table plan is then created which maximizes the number of new meetings possible within the group. 99.1% of the time, we introduce each attendee to 15 contacts they have not previously met at our events.

We are currently in the process of establishing Contact25 as an international franchise. Promoters across the globe will be able to use online software to manage and promote Contact25 events. Our online software provides help at every stage of organising their event. This is underpinned by our No 1 position in Google for ‘Speed Networking’.

I found with networking groups that if you go to the same event run by the same company, you end up meeting the same people. I found it very difficult at informal gatherings to do anything other than talk to ‘safe’ contacts who I had already met. I created Contact25 to organise and facilitate speed networking events where contacts are only introduced to new people thereby maximizing their chances for success.

Contact25 has facilitated over 8,000 individual meetings. The largest known contract win was for £30,000 although the average return for attendees is £500 per attendee per event.- The best connection I made personally was with the two contacts who are currently running our events in Newcastle. They attended the events for over a year and loved them so much that they wanted to run it themselves. It has given me the time to develop the business model and expand at a much fast pace than if I were still juggling events and development.

One of the biggest fears people have is to walk into a room full of strangers. By giving a networking event structure, you reduce that fear because attendees don’t have to pluck up the courage to start a new conversation.

The number of contacts attending is one of the main factors influencing how successful your customers think the event has been. The buzz and atmosphere created by people actively networking will create the idea that your event was a success which is essential for both referrals and returning customers.

Diversity creates interest. Networking events attract set groups who regularly attend. By mixing this up and having different contacts from different industries, you can establish a feeling of freshness; attendees will feel that they never know who they’ll meet at your event which adds to the interest and excitement of attending.

Don’t use the same venue every body else uses for venues and catering. Everything about your choice of location and food reflects the image that your event attracts.

Finally, dress well and keep smiling.

www.contact25.com is superb (but I would say that!). www.ecademy.com is an obvious hub of networking activity. www.bni-europe.com or www.brenet.co.uk if you like your early starts!