Everything is falling into place beautifully. Your hard work is beginning to pay off. In fact, this might be your best meeting yet. Now, if only the attendees do their part - show up, and have such a great time, both personally and professionally, that they talk about it to all their colleagues, and attendance doubles next year.

As a meeting professional, you know why networking is important. You've probably also picked up on the fact that no matter what industry you serve, there's an almost universal discomfort with doing it, and very few people who can actually do well. Even the most extroverted among us admit to at least a mild case of the nerves when it comes to attending a large event.

What can you do to increase the networking skills and comfort at your events, so participants view them as a "must-do" every year, even when budgets are squeezed? Let's start by getting on the same page as far as what networking is: the building of mutually beneficial relationships that align with your goals. The most important thing to remember is that effective networking begins with mutual interest.

How can you identify that mutual interest, and create opportunities for your attendees to find and take full advantage of it?

Planning Your Meeting
Build interest identification into the registration process. When you ask upfront about participants' primary interests and goals, you're sparking their thought process and collecting valuable information that you can use.

Pre-identify past attendees and active members who are good networkers or natural connectors. Ask them to participate actively in connecting and beginning common-interest conversations. Call them in advance. They'll be flattered, and you'll have created natural allies.

Examine the attendee list, and find natural points of connection. For example, who is coming from the same state? Now, how can you get those people together early in the conference, even briefly? You'll create immediate comfort for those who need it - and natural conversation starters for everyone.

Identify first-time attendees and those attending alone up front. As they are the people who are most likely to be hesitant in their networking, identify them on their badges, or give their names to your pre-arranged connectors so they can be actively sought out.

It's Meeting Time!
Set the tone early. At your opening event, group people by interest or commonality, based on what you gathered during the registration process - or put that information on everyone's nametag. Conversation will flow more naturally as a result. I tell people that they should come with goals - at least two things they want to learn or accomplish before leaving the meeting. How can you help people meet their goals?

Include an early breakout session or have a speaker on networking. When you help people increase their skills and comfort level by giving them tools they can begin to use right then and there, you'll immediately increase their perceived value in attending your event.

Don't expect conversation to start naturally. Begin each day, or each part of the meeting, with a thought-provoking question, then give people time to discuss it in whatever small-group format is appropriate. One of my favorites is: "If you could have something named after you, what would it be?" People give such interesting answers that really offer insight into their personalities and values.

I hear from people at events where I speak that they would love to try what I have suggested, but little to no time has been created in the schedule for them to make those critical connections. Never underestimate your attendees' desire to network, and give them opportunities to do so.

Take Away

A Little Extra Help
It's no secret that meetings are more successful when attendees are actively engaged. A little planning up front and some simple activities on site can make a significant difference in how broadly and deeply they participate.

For some attendees, it will simply be the little extra help they need to calm the butterflies. But even the most networking-savvy professionals will appreciate the structure and the thoughtful way the meeting was planned and conducted. As a result, you may no longer need to cross your fingers and just hope the "networking happens."

Julie Bauke is the owner of Congruity Career Consulting LLC (www.congruitycareer.com). She offers one-on-one executive coaching and speaks frequently on strategic networking and career management.