We at SWBF love a social gathering in any form, so networking and business events take up a good deal of our diary time…or at least they used to.
In March 2020 this wonderful element of our industry was cancelled overnight, and it didn’t return for two years. Even then, only on a very tentative basis.
However, 2023 has so far felt very different. Social events, in particular networking events, are very much back on the agenda, and are seemingly very welcome amongst the business community.
The last few events I have been to have had amazing turnouts. A new networking event in Exeter recently had in excess of 100 people in attendance…not bad for a Monday night where the only agenda was socialising. The Bath Life Awards a couple of weeks ago had more than 500 people in the room!
This just goes to show that the appetite for face-to-face interaction is stronger than ever. For me you can’t beat it and as much as the last couple of years have done wonders for how we use virtual meetings in business, the “in-person” event is a very welcome return…long may it continue!
Kai Pinnell: kaipinnell@swbf.co.uk