by Melanie Ryan EcoGeneration — September/October 2011
Networking is integral to making the most of a conference, seminar or exhibition for the clean energy industry. Combining online and real-world interaction is the key to elevating new business relationships and cementing industry contacts.
Clean energy industry representatives can use professional events to create and extend business relationships.New or well-established networking skills can be strengthened with the right mix of both traditional face-to-face and online interaction.
7 tips for effective networking
1 - Prepare before attending a clean energy event – use the event program and exhibition guide to identify the people and sessions that are most relevant to your needs, ensuring that you are in ‘the right place at the right time’.
2 - Carry business cards which contain details of your online presence, and exchange them appropriately – at the beginning of a meeting, or immediately after a conversation requiring follow-up.
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3 - Be relevant at all times – bear in mind your desired personal branding, and the overall brand of your organisation.
4 - Connect with event organisers, speakers, presenters and delegates prior to an event via online platforms such as LinkedIn (an internet website and smart-phone application featuring public professional profiles) and Twitter (an internet website and smart-phone application for users to stream updates and keep abreast of relevant information).
5 -Increase your online profile by promoting your attendance at the event and regularly engaging with the clean energy industry’s key figures and organisations in the online sphere.
6 - Point your associates’ attention to internet-based material that promotes your organisation, projects or latest developments in order to support the efforts made in a face-to-face meeting.
7 - At the event, establish an online connection with new contacts as soon as possible through LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and other relevant platforms to maximise your personal involvement with their business needs.
Networking at EcoGen 2011
Attendees at the EcoGen 2011 Conference and Exhibition have dedicated networking tools to assist them in making and maintaining lasting professional connections. This includes the use of LinkedIn to meet and greet online, and to set up business meetings that will be held during the Conference at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre.
On LinkedIn
Delegates have joined the EcoGen 2011 Conference and Exhibition Group to engage in discussion forums with industry representatives, become aware of suitable new contacts, and exchange contact details so they can easily propose meeting times.
At the Conference
Delegates can choose one of three flagged locations to meet up with new contacts before or after attending presentations and speaker sessions together.
On Twitter
Presenters, panellists, attendees and exhibitors will live-Tweet at the Conference, attaching the hash-tag #ecogen to their Tweets – these Tweets will be tracked, and the best of the best will win prizes!
Checking In
Check in to EcoGen 2011 at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre on Facebook, Foursquare (which can be posted to Twitter), and other online networks so that all contacts are aware of your attendance.
Speed Networking
Invite associates to join you at the EcoGen 2011 Speed Networking sessions at:
• 5:00pm on Day One,
Monday 5 September
• 1:30pm on Day Two,
Tuesday 6 September
These exciting events are the best forum for quickly and efficiently establishing a new professional network in the clean energy industry.
At Social Events
EcoGen 2011 will host a Welcome Cocktails Evening at 6:00pm on Day One, as well as a Gala Dinner at 7:00pm on Day Two at The Gabba, featuring the EcoGen 2011 Clean Energy Awards Night. Both occasions will present excellent opportunities for delegates to network with award recipients and the comedic talents of Wil Anderson can be enjoyed at the Gala Dinner.
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