As the new year approaches, the catering and events industry is poised for transformative growth and innovation. Technological advancements and evolving consumer expectations continue to drive event professionals to push the envelope and adopt new ways of doing business. And amidst all of the change, industry pros must lean on the enduring support of their networks.
In 2024, success will hinge on one’s strategic partnerships more than ever. Recent years have shown us that strong vendor relationships are essential at times of market unpredictability. From business referrals to emotional solidarity, cultivating authentic connections with fellow vendors is a key strategy for navigating the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead in the new year.
Make 2024 a year for creating new ties and strengthening existing bonds within the industry. Here are four tips to guide your networking efforts.
Be a reliable team player
Executing a flawless event requires seamless coordination between vendors. One weak link can throw off the entire flow of the day, impacting everyone involved. So make sure you’re stepping up to the plate and adding value to the team on the event day. Pull your weight, offer help when needed, and honor others’ day-of boundaries.
“When working together, respect for a vendor’s time is crucial,” stresses Katy Padilla of Scarlet Rose Events. “On a wedding day, be your best self, put your best foot forward, and create that long-lasting relationship with the vendor team.”
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But a positive working relationship starts long before the morning of the event.
Kevin Dennis of Fantasy Sound Event Services notes that one’s involvement (or lack thereof) in the months leading up to the event is just as critical to a valuable relationship.
“Coordination can be tricky, so being accessible to everyone throughout the planning process will show them that you’re easy to work with and potentially set you up for a long-lasting relationship,” he assures.
People want to refer and work with those they can trust from experience, so bring your A-game to every event and aim to impress your creative partners.
Give others space
Attentiveness is a welcome virtue, but nobody appreciates an overbearing colleague. As important as relationships are, remember that other people have demands beyond networking. Respect your fellow vendors’ boundaries as you expect them to heed yours.
“Make yourself available, but don’t overstep,” Dennis cautions. “Your creative partners already have couples and other clients that might need their attention first and foremost, so give them some grace if they don’t respond to you right away.”
Padilla adds that timing plays a big role in one’s responsiveness, noting that “each state has a different peak season, so be mindful of how busy some vendors may be and have patience.”
In other words, avoid making assumptions and hounding others in the name of networking. You’ll likely find that approach has the opposite effect of your goal!
Socialize outside of work
Establishing strong professional relationships is a great start, but nurturing genuine friendships in your network is where it’s at. When you connect on a personal level, you’ll develop deeper trust and respect for one another.
Twickenham House and Hall’s Sarah Anderson recommends “being proactive and asking other professionals to dinner or get drinks is an organic route to making business connections and creating friendships in the industry.”
Or, if your schedule limits you from many in-person meetups, link up with others online. “If there’s someone in the industry that you’re hoping to connect with, cheer them on from the sidelines on social media,” Dennis encourages. Then, when it comes time to attend a conference or work an event together, you’ll already be a few steps ahead.
Let relationships evolve organically
All relationships require effort, so don’t try to skip ahead without putting in the work. There is no fast track to friendship—just consistency, authenticity, and respect! So, instead of requesting referrals, stay the course and let your relationship form naturally.
“A preferred vendor list should be determined based on merit, reliability, consistency, and reputation,” Anderson explains. “Asking a vendor for their recommendation before building a connection is not beneficial to your reputation or business.”
Likewise, Anderson discourages offering any type of compensation for referrals. “Incentives or financial gain are self-seeking strategies that harm other professionals' perspectives of your business,” she says. “Likewise, this route makes other vendors feel like a stepping stone in your business rather than a cultivated professional relationship.”
Simply put, trust and loyalty are earned. Strong relationships can weather challenges because of the effort both parties put in from the start, so focus on your actions now rather than the future outcomes you anticipate.
