When one thinks of networking, certain images often come to mind — the passing of business cards, firm handshakes and introductions over steaming coffee.
However, as the Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce prepares to hold its next Speed Networking event on Thursday, certain norms are out of the question.
For one, gone is the usual backdrop of a courthouse, city hall or hotel, said chamber membership director Bob Schafstall. Instead, the event will be moving outdoors for a change.
“With COVID and everything that’s happening, that’s not a good idea, because we couldn’t get a room big enough to socially distance,” Schafstall said. “So what the parks department came up with for us was an idea where we could go to a small section of the People Trail, located behind the Hamilton Center.”
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As the name suggests, the event will be a mashup of networking and the mechanics of speed dating.
“If there’s 40 people signed up, we’ll put 20 members 6 feet apart down the People Trail, and then the next 20 will grab numbers and find their matching partner,” Schafstall explained. “And we can do a real quick one-on-one, kind of a speed dating system, and use that to where we can explain who we are, who we work for, what makes our company special, and then I always ask them to tell them something fun about themselves.”
The chamber’s president, Cindy Frey, said that standing spots will be marked on the pavement with chalk and that each one-on-one interaction will last about 10 minutes.
“The goal is to allow for some meaningful connection but also the opportunity to meet five to six new people,” she said.
Schafstall added that while the chamber usually asks people to bring business cards to pass out at their networking events, they should not do so this time. Instead, the chamber will collect each participant’s contact information and provide that to the other participants.
“The last thing we want to do is put any of our members in harm’s way,” Frey said. “So we’re trying to be creative and serve the business needs of our members while also protecting their health to the best of our ability.” She said that masks are optional and will not be provided.
Schafstall said that the chamber opted for an in-person event in part because some people are experiencing “Zoom fatigue.”
“It’s just not as vibrant over the computer as an in-person event,” he said. “So we’re really looking forward to giving everybody a chance to connect and foster those relationships.”
“From a safe distance,” Frey added.
According to Frey, July’s event will be limited due to 50 people maximum and that the chamber will schedule another event “if demand is high.” Schafstall noted that, as of June 26, 28 people had already signed up.
Frey said that the chamber typically holds four speed networking events per year and that these events are quite popular, as they provide a way to make connections and potentially find new clients.
“The mission of the chamber is to help businesses thrive so the community can grow,” she said. “And we see this as an essential way to help businesses grow through, you know, greater connection.”
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The Speed Networking event will take place from 8 to 9:30 a.m. on July 9 on the People Trail behind Hamilton Center at 2501 Lincoln Park Drive. If it rains, the event will be moved to July 16.
Chamber members can sign up for the event by going to https://business.columbusareachamber.com/events/details/july-speed-networking-2020-3358 and clicking "register."
Non-members should 812-379-4457 to sign up for the event. There is no cost to the event.
The chamber recommends wearing comfortable shoes to the event. Participants are welcome to bring their own coffee and folding chairs if they so desire.
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