Nobody wants to take turns memorizing the name of everyone in the room, and networking Bingo is for competitive people – not those actually trying to make a connection. Here are some games that are actually fun and encourage you to actually get to know each other.
This article includes video games, pen-and-paper prompts, and verbal recommendations.
Introductions
For a small table, have people introduce the person on their right instead of themselves. While they may not remember everyone – they’ll at least remember that one person!
5 Things in Common
People pair with someone they don’t know well, and have them find 5 things they have in common with each other (that isn’t chamber membership) in a limited time. If you have time, they can announce the things they have in common at the end of the game or round. This is also good game for sit-down events as they can play with the table.
Whodunnit / Who’s Fact?
Have attendees pre-submit or write on an index card one interesting fact about them or experience. Then people take turns randomly select a card and try to guess who it was about and why that’s their guess OR you can read off the card & everybody points to who they think it is. Then the writer confesses & introduces themself to the group.
Video Games in the “Jackbox Party Pack 2”
This is not an ad, I just really enjoy it.
We play a few rounds of 2-3 games at the beginning of new member meetings/events. We’ve picked out the games for a reason (written below), and they can be more engaging than traditional networking games, especially for non-extroverts. It also gives them something to talk about after we’re done playing.
This package includes 5 digital games, 2-3 of which my chamber uses (listed below). Generally the Party Pack is same price as buying just one of the included games. There are other party packs available, but this one had my two favorites in it.
How it works: You display the game on a TV (we plugged our laptop in via an HDMI cord) and people use their phones to play (so have your WiFi code ready). You can also purchase the game via Steam (so that they’re on your computer) and share your screen during virtual events.
Tip: before you go to play these games, turn on the Family Friendly option under Settings! However, due to the nature of fill-in-the-blank games, these can still get inappropriate depending on how people answer the questions.
Game: Bomb Corp
Why we like: encourages teamwork & collaboration
This game was good for a small group as side chatter would be a big distraction, and teamwork is necessary. Different people receive different instructions on their phone, so you have to work as a group to decide which wires to cut.
Here’s real people playing the game:
You can’t see it on the screen, but when they’re talking about which wires to cut, their reading the instructions off their individual phones.
Game: Quiplash
Why we like: to win, you’ll need to get to know the people in the room & what they respond to
A game of wits, the winner is usually someone who knows how to play the room. Players answer the question and the room votes on the best choice. Knowing your audience (and a bit of humor) is key for this one.
Game: Fibbage 2
Why we like: know the room like in quiplash, but more trivia than weird jokes.
The objective is to fill in the blank with an answer to obscure trivia, with the goal of fooling others into thinking it’s the truth. This game should be popular with trivia fans.
↑ Party Pack 2 ↓ Park Pack 4
Fibbage 3 might be a better fit as it includes ‘Fibbage: Enough About You’ which is more like Two Truths & a Lie about the players. I just didn’t like the other games in the pack.
Where to Buy
To buy: click here to see purchase options for the Jackbox Party Pack 2. For more Jackbox games, click here.
We purchased from Humble (because it was on sale) which allowed us to download the game via Steam to a laptop. So after we bought the game we had to create a free account & download Steam, then download the game from Steam.
If you’re only going to play a few times, you might okay with reimbursing an employee to have it on their personal game system. I have it on my Nintendo Switch & play it with my friends.
Trivia & Polls
You can use the ‘poll’ feature in Zoom or try a third party tool like Kahoot. Either way you would prepare the questions ahead of time, people would vote/answer live, and everyone will be able to see how many people got it right after. This is especially good when they’re about your area – even when I lose I think the facts are cool!
While there’s less interaction with each other, this is still a great way to break up presentations & re-engage attendees.
Virtual Pictionary
Chances are this will be so bad that it makes it funny. You can private message whoever is it their word. They can use Paint which comes default on Windows and they can share their screen as they attempt to draw.
Two Truths & A Lie
Better for small groups, everyone take a turn share two facts and one lie about themselves. Everyone else has to guess which is the lie (I would set a time limit). This is a fun way to learn more about people, and a lot of times you’ll learn a funny or interesting experience they’ve had.
For a larger group, consider how Jimmy Fallon’s show shortened the game:
Who’s That Baby?
For this game you need people to actually do things ahead of time (I know, I know). Have attendees submit the same kind of photo (example a photo of them as a baby, inside their fridge, of their desk, what they’re reading, a picture of their pet, etc.). To play, you (the host) would share some of the photos one at a time and let people try to guess whose photo it is.
Recommended: more online team building games
Yankee Swag Swap / White Elephant Exchange
Okay, more game than networking, but it can subtly remind attendees about picking out good logo items (*hint, hint* stop giving out koozies & cheap pens). Just like a ‘white elephant Christmas gift exchange,’ people bring a logo item(s). They should all be put in gift bags or some other way you can’t tell what it is. Everybody draws a number and takes turns in order. During your turn you can either take an unopened bag or steal someone else’s logo item. One item can only be stolen up to three times.
Never Have I Ever
You know what it is, but control the event by having pre-written questions for your speaker to ask. You can pick business questions like “Never have I ever skipped posting to my Facebook Page for a week” or “Never have I ever done my own bookkeeping.” Instead of taking a drink, people would start off standing and then sit when they have done something. Last one(s) standing get a prize. or not.
Would You Rather / Table Topics
Sometimes people just don’t know what to talk about (or won’t stop talking about that one thing…). Simply prepare questions ahead of time that you can draw upon to keep the conversation going.
Speed Networking – Small Group
For a smaller group, you can set it up like Speed Dating where you have two rows, everyone has a set time to talk, and the same row keeps moving down at the end of timer.
You can make Speed Networking a stand alone event, or have your regular, casual networking afterwards. Or you might host an Elevator Pitch Workshop before starting the Speed Networking.
Speed Networking – Big Group
If you have a large group, have assigned tables with one sponsor at each table. Sponsors stay at their table when people go to a new table. CACCE did this and it was more about getting to know the sponsor than the table, but as an attendee it was still interesting to see what kinds of questions other people were asking.
Alternative to sponsor tables:
- Hotseat: Have a table take turns asking one person rapid-fire questions about them. People would stay at the table, but take turns being asked questions.
- Table Topics: Instead of table numbers, have a different conversation topic/category assigned to each table. This might be job roles, industry, hot button topics, etc. Set a timer and allow people to change tables at least 3 times.
Similarly:
Personality Quiz
While this isn’t a networking game, it can help the quality of networking at sit-down events by assigning tables by personality. Or at least giving them something to talk about.
Have attendees take a personality quiz ahead of time. Find a free one you like and email the link out. Instead of table numbers, name tables to match the answers to the quiz.
For example, if everyone takes the Harry Potter sorting hat quiz, I would sit with other Hufflepuffs.
Treat Everyone Like a CEO
Similar to the Game of Life (not the board game), people have to guess where the fall on the business totem pole based on people’s hints. While not a good game for introductions, it is good at getting people to move around the room.
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