I finally tried a networking event at the Phoenix Convention Center and it was a total miss

I went to that big 'Valley Connect' mixer last Thursday expecting a hundred people. There were maybe twenty, and half were from the same insurance company. I spent $50 on the ticket and two hours just talking to the same three guys about lead generation. Learned that a big venue name doesn't guarantee a good crowd. Has anyone had better luck with smaller, industry-specific meetups around Tempe or Mesa?

3 comments

3 Comments

perez.patricia1mo ago

I mean, it's just one event though.

cameronschmidt1mo ago

Ever think about who picks the date and time for these things? A Thursday mixer sounds like a bad call for anyone with a real job or family stuff. @perez.patricia is right it's just one event, but a dead room kills your drive to try another. I'd look for breakfast meetups or late afternoon ones, way better for actual working people. The big shiny events are often just empty rooms with a fancy name.

daniel8571mo ago

Had a buddy go to one of those Thursday things last month. He said it was just him, two vendors, and a sad bowl of pretzels. Swears he'll only do coffee meetups before work now.