Because they are buried within the LinkedIn architecture, you might not be aware that there are a variety of LinkedIn groups for event planners, some more active than others. These four are vibrant and worth checking out.
LinkedIn groups provide a place to ask your peers questions and offer recommendations and advice in return. To find relevant groups, just use the search feature at the top of your homepage or select from the suggestions of “Groups You May Like.”
Posts can be sent to the email associated with your LinkedIn either with each new conversation or in digest form, or you can choose to check in on your own when you want to. There is a list of members right underneath the group name, which allows you to connect directly with specific members to continue the contact.
Event Planning & Event Management
This group, founded by Julius Solaris of the Event Manager blog, has ballooned to 375,238 members. It is the most robust group on the platform due to his frequent moderation. Posts in just a 24-hour period ranged from questions on fundraising techniques to apps to post-event templates.
Event Pros
This is the second-largest event management group, with 164,000 members. Its founder is Bob McGrath, who manages channel marketing programs, marketing campaigns & events, and does have more of an event marketing focus.
Event Peeps
With 131,043 members, this group is run by Event Marketer, an institute in event marketing, and imembers post on a range of topics related to trade shows and conference marketing and production, such as ceiling signage, booth freebies, trade show leads, using You Tube, event housing.
Bizbash—Event Planners Gather
This is the place to search for trends around speakers, entertainment, decor and all things special event-related. Run by Bizbash, a media company focused on the special events world, and moderated by one of its editors, it has 69,438 members.
Most industry associations, such as FICP or GBTA, also have members-only LinkedIn groups. MPI runs a forum for its meeting planner members on its web site and sends out a weekly digest email. Either way, these are valuable tools for referrals from people who do what you do every day.
