1/29/2025

How to Network in the Event Industry for Your Catering Business

Networking in the event industry is absolutely CRUCIAL for the success of your catering business.💼 Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting out, forming relationships can open doors to new opportunities, increase your visibility, and ultimately help grow your brand. Here’s a guide on how you can effectively network within the event industry, especially focusing on catering.

Understand the Importance of Networking

Networking is NOT just about exchanging business cards or attending events— it’s building long-lasting professional relationships that can lead to mutual success. In the catering business, your connections can be the difference between gaining or losing clients. Here are some reasons why connecting is vital:

Collaborative Opportunities: You can team up with other vendors like event planners, venues, and photographers to create packages or referral systems.
Increased Visibility: Well-placed references from industry insiders can land you gigs that might not be available otherwise.
Learning: Networking events are a goldmine for insights into industry trends and best practices.

Target the Right Events

Choosing which events to attend is vital. You want to focus on gatherings that cater specifically to the event industry, such as:

Catering Expos: These events allow you to showcase your offerings while making important contacts.
Wedding Fairs: This is a great place to connect with potential clients AND other vendors in the wedding space.
Industry Conferences: Events like the NACE Experience Conference provide educational opportunities and lots of networking potential.

By targeting events relevant to your niche, you can hone in on the right audience. Remember, you want to surround yourself with potential REFERRAL sources.

Utilize Professional Associations

Joining professional associations like the National Association for Catering & Events (NACE) can be a career game-changer. They provide:

Networking Opportunities: Regular meetings encourage networking with industry peers.
Educational Resources: You can access webinars, events, workshops, and more.
Certification Opportunities: If you obtain qualifications, it can elevate your credibility.

Build Relationships, Not Just Connections

While it’s easy to think of networking as a transactional relationship, it’s really about forming connections. Here's how you can foster real relationships:

Follow Up: After meeting someone, follow up with an email or a simple LinkedIn message. Refer back to something you discussed to jog their memory.
Be Authentic: Share your passion for your work and listen to others. Authenticity can turn a simple contact into a lasting relationship.
Offer Support: See how you can be beneficial to others. Maybe you can connect them with someone in your network, or simply offer them good advice! 🧠
Stay Engaged: Create a schedule to keep in touch with your contacts. Engagement can keep your brand fresh in their minds.

Don’t underestimate the power of platforms like LinkedIn for professional networking. Here are tips specifically for catering:

Showcase Your Work: Post beautiful images of your dishes or catered events. Visual content is SUPER powerful in the catering industry.
Engage with Others: Like, comment, and share posts of others in your industry. This can spark conversations and get your name out there.
Join Groups: Actively participate in groups for caterers or event professionals. It’s a chance to ask questions, gain insights, & connect.

Seek Out Collaborations

Collaborating with other professionals can create a win-win situation. Here are a few ways to seek out partnerships:

Create Package Deals: Work with venues, decorators, or entertainment services to create exclusive offers for clients.
Run Joint Events: Host workshops, tastings, or charity functions with other vendors to market both your services.
Referral Systems: Establish a mutual referral system where you can refer clients to each other. It helps build trust and keeps your pipeline full.💼

Attend Workshops and Training

Continual education is essential in our ever-changing industry. Attend workshops on,

Trending Catering Styles: Understanding current trends can keep your menu fresh and exciting for clients.
Business Management: Learning effective management strategies can help run your catering business more efficiently. This also presents another fantastic opportunity to network with fellow attendees!

Prepare for Networking Events

Going into a networking event unprepared is like going into a meeting without a strategy. Here are some steps to gear up:

Have Business Cards Ready: You want to make it easy for people to remember you.💡 Include your website, social media accounts, and a tagline about what you offer on your card.
Elevator Pitch: Prepare a quick introduction that highlights who you are, what you do, and what makes you unique. Practice until it feels natural.
Dress for Success: The event industry is visual, so your appearance matters. Make sure you look polished and professional to inspire confidence.

Engage and Connect

When you're actually at a networking event, here are some dos and don'ts:

DO Engage Others in Conversation: Start by asking open-ended questions about their work.
DON'T Be Pushy: Selling right off the bat can turn people off; instead, focus on getting to know them.
DO Listen Actively: Show genuine interest in what others have to say—it will go a long way in building rapport.
DON'T Stick to the Corners: Avoid being the wallflower. Move around and meet different people!

Create Value in Your Offerings

As you network, be prepared to show what makes your catering stand out. Whether it’s your unique menu options, customer service, or specific dietary offerings, be ready to share that! This showcases your value in a saturated market.

Follow Up & Stay Connected

Once the event is over, don’t just let those connections fizzle out. Here’s how to cultivate them:

Send Personalized Follow-Ups: Reflect on your conversation, mention it, and suggest meeting over coffee to dig deeper into collaboration.
Keep them Updated: Share newsletters or new offerings with your network to keep them in the loop about your growth.

Embrace Technology for Networking

With the rise of technology, leveraging platforms like Arsturn can simplify your networking game. Arsturn lets you create custom chatbots that can engage your audience on your website 24/7, provide information regarding your catering services, and answer FAQs instantly. This helps in enhancing client interactions and could serve as a unique touchpoint for clients and vendors alike.💪

Benefits of Using a Chatbot:

Instant Engagement: Provide immediate responses to inquiries, which can convert casual browsers into potential clients.
Custom Insights: Collect data from engagements to understand your audience better.
Automated Processes: Save time & effort by automating your customer interaction.

Conclusion

Networking in the event industry, particularly in catering, is a journey full of opportunities for growth and collaboration. It requires EFFORT, but with the right mindset and approach, you'll be building lasting connections that benefit your business. Remember, it’s about the relationship and value you bring to the table! Keep calm, keep networking, & soon, you'll reap the sweet success!