Virtual networking events for teams, clients and partners

Networking events that get people talking to someone new: Speed Networking pairs your guests in private three-minute video chats, round after round, in about 45 minutes. Prefer a live host on your Zoom call? A hosted game show, bingo or scavenger hunt does the introducing.

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For new hires, cross-office teams, ERGs, clients and partners

From a virtual Speed Networking session

When virtual networking events work

A networking event gives people a reason and a structure to meet someone new. Online, corporate networking events work best when the group is spread out and the guest list is mixed on purpose.

  • New hire cohorts

    Everyone who started this month meets each other and people from other teams, before habits set in. Part of a good new hire onboarding program.

  • Cross-office teams

    Offices and remote staff who only see each other on project calls get to meet as people. Split across time zones? Hosted games can run as two sessions. More for global teams.

  • Client and partner events

    Clients meet each other and your account team without a sales pitch. For executives, a hosted virtual wine tasting works too, with non-alcoholic kits available. See the client appreciation collection.

  • Employee resource groups

    An ERG welcomes new members or opens its doors to allies, and everyone leaves knowing a few more names.

  • Young professional programs

    Early-career staff meet each other and the leaders they rarely get time with, in short rounds that take the pressure off.

  • Conferences and summits

    Attendees of a virtual conference or leadership summit meet one-on-one instead of watching a chat scroll by.

How a speed networking event runs

Speed Networking is an automated format on its own networking platform: no host to schedule, no rooms to assign. About 45 minutes.

Speed Networking

Speed Networking

$1,000 flat rate45 min

Private three-minute one-on-ones, matched automatically, round after round. About 45 minutes.

  1. 1A short welcome videoA recorded welcome explains the format, sets expectations and shares conversation tips, so it works whenever a guest joins.
  2. 2Three-minute one-on-onesThe platform matches attendees into private one-on-one video rooms for focused three-minute conversations. Nobody assigns rooms by hand.
  3. 3Re-matched every roundAfter each round people are matched with someone new. If both want to keep talking, they can extend the conversation.
  4. 4Business cards that follow upA built-in virtual business card exchange lets people share contact details, so a good chat turns into a follow-up.

Good to know

  • It runs on its own platform, Eventdex, not on Zoom or Teams. The matching, timers and business cards are built in.
  • It is not live-facilitated. A support team stays on hand behind the scenes for technical issues.
  • Book at least 14 days ahead. $1,000 flat for the group; a 50% deposit holds the date.

Speed Networking suits a goal of many new contacts in a short time: a new hire cohort, a cross-office kickoff, a client or conference networking slot. Want everyone on your own Zoom or Teams call with a live host instead? Pick one of the hosted mixers below. Not sure which fits? Tell us about your group.

Hosted mixers on your own video call

Networking event games with a live host and small groups, about an hour on Zoom by default (Teams, Meet or Webex on request). Book 2 weeks ahead. Prices are live.

More hosted formats in virtual game shows and virtual trivia.

Sample agenda for a 60-minute virtual networking event

Two ways to fill the hour. Both fit one calendar slot and end on time.

Speed Networking, then a wrap

45 minutes on the networking platform, 15 on your own call.

  1. 0:00Welcome video · the platformThe recorded welcome explains how the rounds work and how to open a conversation.
  2. 0:05One-on-one rounds · the platformThree-minute private chats, re-matched each round. Good conversations can run longer.
  3. 0:40Last rounds and card swap · guestsPeople swap virtual business cards with anyone they want to follow up with.
  4. 0:45Back on your call · youMove to your usual Zoom or Teams link. A leader thanks everyone; two or three people share who they met.
  5. 0:58One ask · youAsk everyone to send one follow-up message within two days. End on time.

Game show mixer

Your Favorite Game Shows! with a live host on your Zoom call, people from different teams playing together.

  1. 0:00Why we're here · youOne line from a leader on who is in the room and why.
  2. 0:02Teams form · your hostThe host splits everyone into small groups in breakout rooms.
  3. 0:05The rounds · your hostClassic TV game shows, one after another. Every group plays at the same time, so nobody sits out.
  4. 0:55Winners · your hostThe host wraps the last show and names the winners.
  5. 0:57Who did you meet? · youAsk each person to message one new teammate after the call.

Hosted mixers run on Zoom by default, or Teams, Google Meet or Webex on request. Swap in Bingo and Beyond! or Team Discovery Challenge and the shape stays the same.

10 virtual networking event ideas

Fun networking event ideas a company can host online, one line each.

  1. 1Mixed-department game showTeams built across departments play a hosted virtual game show; the rounds do the introducing.
  2. 2Cross-office trivia leagueA monthly hosted trivia night with teams redrawn across offices every time.
  3. 3New hire cohort roundsThis month's hires meet each other, then people from every department, in timed one-on-ones.
  4. 4Mentor matching kickoffMentors and mentees meet in short rounds, then each side names its top three picks.
  5. 5ERG open houseEach employee resource group invites allies and new members to meet the people behind it.
  6. 6Skill swap roundsEveryone names one skill to teach and one to learn, then pairs trade tips for three minutes.
  7. 7Ask a leaderEarly-career staff get short one-on-ones with senior leaders, one question each.
  8. 8Client peer exchangeClients from different companies meet each other, and your account team hosts the wrap.
  9. 9Partner meets productPartners rotate through your product, sales and support people and leave with direct contacts.
  10. 10Sales and support pairingAccount managers meet the support people who look after their clients every day.

In-person, client and conference formats are in the full list of 35 networking event ideas.

Good networking questions for the rounds

  • What's one thing you wish you'd known in your first month here? (new hires)
  • What does a normal Tuesday look like in your office? (cross-office)
  • What's the most useful thing a supplier ever did for your team? (clients)
  • What would you like to be better at by this time next year? (mentoring)
  • Which decision this year took you the longest to make? (leaders)
  • Where do our two teams lose time handing work back and forth? (partners)

120 more, by round, with a round timer: speed networking questions.

How to invite people so they show up

A good format still needs people to show up, and turnout starts with the invite. Seven habits that fill the room.

  1. 1Say who they'll meet and why in the first line of the invite, not just "networking event".
  2. 2Keep it to 45 or 60 minutes inside everyone's workday: 1 pm Eastern is 10 am Pacific.
  3. 3Send the calendar hold two to three weeks out, with the join link inside the hold.
  4. 4Ask managers for a one-line nudge. It moves more people than a second email.
  5. 5Remind people the day before and again 10 minutes before, link at the top.
  6. 6Invite clients personally, from the account manager they know, not from a mailing list.
  7. 7Follow up within two days with one next step, like a coffee chat or an intro you promised.

What Speed Networking needs from you

  • A list of participant emails
  • Web-conferencing access for every guest
  • Final headcount and invites, sent before the day
  • A 50% deposit to lock in your date

Booking a hosted game instead? Send us your date and headcount and you get a full event plan within 24 hours.

What our clients say

Trusted by teams at

  • Google
  • Microsoft
  • Meta
  • Spotify
  • Netflix
  • Cisco
  • Coinbase
  • Dropbox
Meta

Case study

Connecting 450+ global employees across time zones

They kicked off with high-energy Music Bingo, then split into breakout rooms for coffee tasting, chocolate truffle making and team games.

Read the case study

Cisco Meraki · Case study

A full-day virtual retreat, and they immediately rebooked

Coffee tasting in the morning, a DIY lunch workshop where teams cooked together, creative sessions and a management training.

Read the case study

Virtual networking event questions

What is a networking event?

A networking event is a gathering built for people to meet new contacts: coworkers from other teams, clients, partners or peers. The ones that work give people a structure, like timed one-on-ones or a team game, so nobody spends the hour talking to the two people they already know.

What is a virtual networking event?

The same idea on a video platform, so people across offices, cities and time zones can meet without travel. Companies host them for new hire cohorts, cross-office teams, ERGs, young professional programs, and clients and partners. Most run 45 to 60 minutes.

How does a virtual speed networking event work?

With our Speed Networking, a short recorded video explains the format and gives conversation tips. Then the platform matches people into private one-on-one rooms for three-minute conversations, re-matching them after each round. Pairs can extend a good chat, and a built-in business card exchange handles the follow-up.

Does Speed Networking run on Zoom or Teams?

No. It runs on its own networking platform, Eventdex, where the matching, timers and business cards are built in. It is not live-facilitated, but a support team is on hand behind the scenes for technical issues. If you want everyone on your Zoom or Teams call with a live host, pick a hosted mixer like Your Favorite Game Shows!, Bingo and Beyond! or Team Discovery Challenge instead.

What are good corporate networking event ideas?

Mixed-department game shows, a cross-office trivia league, new hire cohort rounds, mentor matching kickoffs, ERG open houses and client peer exchanges all work online. The full list of 35 networking event ideas covers in-person, client and conference formats too.

How much does a virtual networking event cost?

Speed Networking is $1,000 flat for the group, for about 45 minutes. Hosted mixers like Your Favorite Game Shows! cost $975 for up to 25 people (about $39 each). You see the full price before you book, and a 50% deposit holds the date.

How far ahead should we book?

Book at least 14 days ahead, for Speed Networking and the hosted mixers alike. Send your invites two to three weeks before the event, before calendars fill up.

Can teams in different time zones join?

Yes. Everyone joins online from wherever they are. When one time slot can't fit everyone's workday, hosted games can run as two sessions, one for each half of the team.

More networking formats

Planning a networking event?

Send us your date, headcount and who is invited. You get a full event plan within 24 hours.

See Speed NetworkingGet a free quote