Let’s be honest. For some people, networking events are about as appealing as a trip to the grocery store (maybe less). From guests having rote conversations with strangers, to clinging onto the only two people they know, it can be pretty monotonous.
But it doesn’t have to be that way — nor should it.
You can make networking events more exciting and engaging by incorporating one thing everyone loves: food. Now, that doesn’t mean leaving five boxes of pizza on a table and calling it a day. The better option is planning networking events with catered meals.
When done right, office catering can create a welcoming environment that fosters conversation and keeps guests engaged.
Not sure how to do that? Here are our top tips on how to cater a large event that engages (not bores) your guests.
5 tips for planning networking events with catering
1. Create a diverse and inspiring menu
The go-to options for a networking event are usually light appetizers, finger food, and, of course, pizza. While we all love a good pizza, it’s not a conversation starter. It’s normal and expected, just like many networking events.
To really get people engaged, you need to plan a menu that people will talk about. Instead of the typical small talk about the recent weather, people often talk about the food at an event before getting into deeper conversation. But if the food isn’t anything new or exciting, the conversation can fall flat.
So give your guests something to talk about by planning an inspiring menu. Maybe a new restaurant just opened up, or perhaps there’s a cuisine that most people haven’t tried. There could even be a restaurant that offers catered office meals with unique presentations. No matter what you choose, make sure it’s inspiring enough to spark conversations.
2. Choose family-style foods
Finger food and light catering dishes are common when planning networking events because they allow people to walk around and mingle. But just because it’s common practice doesn’t mean it’s the best option.
A family-style meal can actually encourage more conversation and let guests build deeper connections. Instead of people trying to keep conversations short and talk to as many people as possible — most of whom they won’t remember — a sit-down meal can give people time to have those longer, more impactful conversations.
You should also consider the fact that many people tend to gravitate to the other guests they already know instead of meeting new people. Even though the point of a networking event is to build new connections, it’s often easier for people to stay in the groups they’re familiar with. So by setting up a family-style meal, you can encourage people to sit by at least one person they don’t know.
3. Use business cards as place-setting cards
Of course, mingling is still essential. It’s a networking event, after all. But a family-style meal doesn’t remove mingling — it just looks different.
One way to encourage mingling and effective networking at a family-style meal is to leave a business card at every place setting and ask people not to sit where their own card is. Then after the main course, they can get up and go look for the person whose business card they have. You can even get a little creative with this and ask guests to find the owner of the business card before they can get a dessert ticket.
Here’s a pro tip for you: Make sure you have some extra seats around the room that people can use to pull up to a new table. Some guests will be ready to look for the business card owner (and get dessert) before others, so you want to make sure there’s space for people to move around and change seats as needed.
4. Don’t forget the drinks
Who doesn’t love free drinks? Alcohol is the universal icebreaker and one of the best ways to get people to relax a bit and avoid that initial awkwardness.
There are several ways you can incorporate drinks into your networking event, from a drinks station or drink tickets to an open bar. Each option can be a hit, but the final decision often depends on the catering budget.
For example, an open bar can cost anywhere between $14-$50 per person, depending on your location. So it might be worth considering the ticket option and giving one or two tickets to each guest. This approach also helps maintain the professional setting.
No matter what setup you choose, make sure it’s memorable. Unique cocktail presentations or seasonal-themed drinks can be the perfect conversation starter — and ensure people talk about your event for weeks to come.
5. Set up a dessert bar
Desserts are typically a group favorite — and one of the most ordered food categories on ezCater. That’s why we mentioned only offering a dessert ticket once people have found the business card owner offers. People want dessert, so the ticket idea is an incentive for your guests to get up, move around, and talk to new people.
Plus, dessert bars are a good alternative option to an open bar or drink tickets. While alcohol is always a big hit, not everyone drinks — and some people much prefer a delicious cupcake over a mixed drink.
Doing office catering right is all about offering a diversity of enticing options — both to meet people’s diverse dietary preferences and inspire conversations. And there’s nothing quite like an impeccably laid dessert bar to spark conversation among your guests.
Make networking events fun — and easy — with office catering
Planning networking events can be a lot of work, from setting a budget to promoting the event. That might not leave much time for calling catering vendors, checking to see which one is available, and negotiating prices.
But with ezCater, you don’t have to do the heavy lifting or worry about how to cater a large event. Our marketplace can connect you with over 100,000 restaurants. All you need to do is pick a vendor and the meals you want. We can even help you plan the right amount of food for the number of guests so you can spend less time planning and more time networking.
