At AI Dinners, You Can Leave Before Dessert. And Other Rules for IRL IS BACK Networking

LinkedIn could save most VCs a step by adding a post template called “AI Dinner.” You upload a picture of the full table and a picture of the custom menu card with your firm’s logo on it. Then it pre-fills the text of “Still buzzing from bringing together all these AI Builders last night,” while also auto-tagging the attendees. Magic!

Snark aside, I do think it’s wonderful that people are spending more time together and supporting local businesses. But it’s clear that many of the hosts are first-time event planners so here are some of my suggestions, guidelines and rules.

1. Prompt schedule and clear timing. First 30 minutes are for drinks and mingling, then we sit. Try to get dinner done in 90 minutes. Two hours on a weeknight is fine.
2. Name tags and/or table cards please.
3. After entrees, accommodate some people needing to leave and let people switch seats to maximize conversations. These actually pair well together because you can fill in empty seat holes easily from no-shows and exits.
4. Attendee lists. Sending out before is tricky because you might still be trying to confirm some folks, deal with last minute cancelations and generally prevent guests from pre-judging based on who may/may not be there. But I do think afterwards it’s great to send out names and email contact info for everyone who did make it.
5. Moderated/guided conversations. It’s really challenging in large groups to have “one conversation.” Single tables of up to six can do it – larger than that and you tend to break down. You can have multiple tables all starting with the same prompt, but avoid the ‘report out’ unless it’s really easy. This isn’t a class seminar and it’s not a TED talk.
6. Sponsors. I understand you might have them and it’s ok to acknowledge them. If they’re pitching, 30-60 seconds is really all they should need. And make follow-up with them opt-in vs opt-out. I don’t need three notes from someone trying to sell me something after the dinner just because they helped pay for my meal. This isn’t a timeshare pitch.

What am I forgetting?