--- title: "Take Networking Up a Notch" id: "61520" type: "post" slug: "take-networking-up-a-notch" published_at: "2021-11-10T18:41:40+00:00" modified_at: "2026-07-11T18:10:01+00:00" url: "https://associationsnow.com/2021/11/10/take-networking-up-a-notch/" markdown_url: "https://associationsnow.com/2021/11/10/take-networking-up-a-notch.md" excerpt: "A little structure, facilitation, and audience participation can take networking out of its sometimes awkward, stilted past into a reimagined, reinvigorated future, whether your meeting is in person or virtual." taxonomy_category: - "Meetings / Events" taxonomy_post_tag: - "Associations Now" taxonomy_content_format: - "Article" taxonomy_role: - "Association CEO / Executive Director" - "Director" - "Manager" taxonomy_persona: - "Association Professionals" --- [Home](https://associationsnow.com/) » [Articles](https://associationsnow.com/format/article/) » Take Networking Up a Notch Part of the Deep Dive[Comeback](https://associationsnow.com/deep-dives/the-return-to-in-person-meetings/) The unplanned shift from in-person to virtual events meant that a vital component of meetings was suddenly missing: networking. And it is very difficult to replicate remotely. Although many conference attendees are yearning to get back together in person, networking isn’t going to be the same in any meeting format. The [Virtual Networking Incubator Roundup (opens in a new tab)](https://matchboxvirtual.com/virtual-networking-incubator/) report, based on insights from more than 150 association professionals who participated in a six-week exploration of networking in virtual settings, showed that traditional networking elicited feelings of fun, belonging, joy, and happiness. The surprising flip side? Fifty-eight percent of the participants said anxiety and concern were a big factor for them with traditional networking, but only 16 percent pointed to anxiety and concern during digital gatherings. ### Support Structure In-person networking events, particularly receptions, can be stressful for participants unless they know a lot of attendees, or they are there with a friend or colleague. “If you’re really connected, receptions are a blast, but if you’re there by yourself, receptions are painful,” said Amanda Kaiser, CEO of Kaiser Insights and coauthor of the report. A lot of [structure and activities (opens in a new tab)](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1plFKuq2MS9Uv1MHKV19293VAC-Qa0ONW/view) help, especially fun activities like games where people have to work together to solve a problem or accomplish something. Participants get a sense of each other and have a chance to get acquainted. “They’re understanding that they’re part of a community that is bigger than themselves,” Kaiser said. Structure also helps newer people who don’t have a network yet because it gives them something to do. [Lisa Boylan](https://associationsnow.com/author/lisa-boylan/) Lisa Boylan is a former senior editor of Associations Now. [More articles by this author](https://associationsnow.com/author/lisa-boylan/) Tags: [#Associations Now](https://associationsnow.com/tag/associations-now/) **Stay Informed** [Subscribe to our free newsletter](https://associationsnow.com/newsletter/) , *Associations Now Daily News*, to find out what’s happening in the association world every business day. ## More in this Deep Dive - [An Action Plan for Reconvening in Person](https://associationsnow.com/2021/11/10/an-action-plan-for-reconvening-in-person/) - [Build an Onsite Health and Safety Strategy](https://associationsnow.com/2021/11/10/build-an-onsite-health-and-safety-strategy/) - [Four Tactics for Improving the Expo Experience for Exhibitors and Attendees](https://associationsnow.com/2021/11/10/four-tactics-for-improving-the-expo-experience-for-exhibitors-and-attendees/) - [The New Meetings Mindset: Put the Participant First](https://associationsnow.com/2021/11/10/the-new-meetings-mindset-put-the-participant-first/) - [4 Lessons Learned From the Return of In-Person Conferences](https://associationsnow.com/2021/11/10/in-person-conference-return-lessons/) - [Find Your Sweet Spot With Virtual and In-Person Meetings](https://associationsnow.com/2021/11/10/find-your-sweet-spot-with-virtual-and-in-person-meetings/) [View the full Deep Dive →](https://associationsnow.com/deep-dives/the-return-to-in-person-meetings/) ## You Might Like - [PodcastAssociations Now Presents: Beyond the Contract: Building Stronger Destination PartnershipsSeptember 24, 2026](https://associationsnow.com/2026/09/24/associations-now-presents-beyond-the-contract-building-stronger-destination-partnerships/) - [VideoMelvin Tennant, CAE, President & CEO of Meet Minneapolis, Welcomes You to Great Ideas 2026September 2, 2026](https://associationsnow.com/2026/09/02/melvin-tennant-cae-president-ceo-of-meet-minneapolis-welcomes-you-to-great-ideas-2026/) - [VideoASAE TV Daily Recap: Final Day at the 2026 ASAE Annual Meeting & ExpositionAugust 24, 2026](https://associationsnow.com/2026/08/24/asae-tv-daily-recap-final-day-at-the-2026-asae-annual-meeting-exposition/) - [VideoTerin Bates, MBA, CAE, CX-PRO, Shares Her Experience at the 2026 ASAE Annual Meeting & ExpositionAugust 18, 2026](https://associationsnow.com/2026/08/18/terin-bates-mba-cae-cx-pro-shares-her-experience-at-the-2026-asae-annual-meeting-exposition/) ## Comments **Comments are for ASAE members.** [Learn more about comments on this site.](https://associationsnow.com/comments/) [Log in](https://associationsnow.com/login?redirect_to=https%3A%2F%2Fassociationsnow.com%2F2021%2F11%2F10%2Ftake-networking-up-a-notch%2F%23comments) to your member account or [join ASAE](https://my.asaecenter.org/select-a-membership-type/) !