By Anita Murray

I remember my first ever networking event for William Murray. It was the Publican Awards. I didn’t know anyone, and I felt like a fish out of water in my posh frock. I gave myself a talking to, touched up my lipstick and entered the vast room. I walked up to the first person I saw and said hello… 

I’ve always enjoyed meeting new people, hearing their stories, learning what makes them tick, and finding unexpected common ground. That’s really what networking is about for me. It doesn’t have to be polished or performative. Most of the time, it just starts with a genuine conversation and a bit of curiosity. 

One moment that sticks with me happened at a hospitality event a few years ago. I walked over to a table where a group of people were sitting, all from the same company. When I asked how the evening was going, one of them admitted: “We’re not very good at networking.” I said: “Alright, your mission is simple: before dessert, each of you has to talk to three people you don’t know.” They laughed, but they did it – and they ended up having some fantastic conversations. 

The truth is most of us feel a little awkward at first. That’s okay. But preparation makes all the difference. Before any event, I like to get the guest list in advance if I can. I scan through and highlight a few people I’d genuinely like to meet, not just because of their titles, but because I’m interested in what they’re working on or the perspective they might bring. I try to learn a little about them: recent projects, shared connections, even what they’ve spoken or written about. It gives me a starting point and helps the conversation flow more naturally. 

If you do want to exchange details and you don’t have any business cards, you can generate a QR code using your LinkedIn profile via the search bar. I do this before an event and take a screenshot so that it’s easy to retrieve.  

I also remind myself (and my team) that you don’t need to work the room. If you have a few meaningful conversations, that’s a successful night. And if you can connect two people who should meet? Even better. That’s one of my favourite parts of this job – introducing people who go on to create something great together. 

Networking doesn’t have to be transactional or intimidating. It can be generous, collaborative, and, dare I say, fun. You never know where a conversation might lead. And sometimes, all it takes is walking up to a person and saying hello.