8 Good Examples of Business Networking Games at Real Events
How Real Companies Implemented a Business Networking Game
Reading about business networking games is one thing. Seeing how real events ran them is more useful.
Here are 8 examples, each with the goal, how the game was set up, and what happened.
Every event below used Jam Bingo, so you can compare how different organizers adapted the same game to their room.
Example 1: L'Oréal Sales Kick-off Networking Game
The Goal: Connect Sales Teams from Across the Country
L'Oréal's field marketing and sales teams flew in from different cities for a multi-day kick-off retreat.
About 130 people, many meeting colleagues for the first time.
How L'Oréal Implemented the Business Networking Game
They ran it as a 45-minute pre-dinner networking session, the unstructured time before everyone sat down.
To keep a competitive sales team engaged, they offered prizes like company-branded items and newly launched products to the top networkers.
Results of the L'Oréal Networking Game
Participants reported connecting with an average of 20 or more new colleagues during the session.
The night passed by so fast! The goal was to get people mingling and step out of their “territory”. We did just that!
Read the full L'Oréal sales kick-off networking case study.
Example 2: EVOTEK Partner Expo Networking Game
The Goal: Get Employees Talking to Sponsors
EVOTEK hosted a partner expo and wanted their people to speak with as many sponsors as possible.
How EVOTEK Implemented the Business Networking Game
This was their second time running it, and they changed one thing: visibility.
They put the QR code on the big screen and placed extra QR codes around the networking space.
Results of the EVOTEK Expo Networking Game
We saw a lot more participation this time around since we displayed the QR code to play on the big screen and put extra QR codes around the networking space. We received good feedback from our employees and sponsors.
Takeaway: if guests can't see the QR code from where they're standing, many won't play.
Example 3: Exmerce Launch Networking Game for Entrepreneurs
The Goal: Help Entrepreneurs Connect at a Launch Event
Nelson hosted the Exmerce launch in Edmonton, with nearly 100 entrepreneurs in the room.
Launch events are full of people who came to meet each other, but don't know where to start.
Results of the Exmerce Launch Networking Game
We were thrilled to use Jam Social at the Exmerce launch in Edmonton! With nearly 100 entrepreneurs in attendance, it provided a dynamic and engaging way for attendees to connect and interact.
Example 4: Networking Game to Meet Executives and Other Departments
The Goal: Get Employees Networking with Leadership
Eugene organized a professional networking event where the purpose was for attendees to network with executives and other departments.
Without a structure, employees rarely walk up to an executive on their own.
Results of the Executive Networking Game
It was incredible. Everyone was interacting and engaged. The purpose of the meeting was to allow everyone to network with executives and other departments, so this activity encouraged full engagement!
Takeaway: prompts give employees a reason to approach leadership that doesn't feel like they're overstepping.
Example 5: Employee Resource Group Summer Mixer Networking Game
The Goal: More Interaction During the Networking Session
Jaz organized a summer mixer for an employee resource group (ERG).
Like a lot of ERG events, the networking portion usually got less interaction than they hoped.
Results of the ERG Mixer Networking Game
After the event, they received the game stats showing how many connections were made.
Our guests loved playing the game and this was the most interaction that we've seen during a networking session at one of our events.
Example 6: Company Kickoff Networking Game with Custom Prompts
The Goal: Get Everyone Connecting and Moving Around the Room
Jill ran a company kickoff and wanted employees mixing, not sitting with their own team.
How the Kickoff Implemented the Business Networking Game
Instead of generic prompts, they wrote their own about their company and people.
JamBingo was a huge hit! People absolutely loved it. It was fun, easy to use, and such a great way to get everyone connecting and moving around the room. Being able to do our own prompts made it soooo much more personal and fun!
Takeaway: custom prompts about your own company make the game feel like part of your event, not a generic activity.
Example 7: Charities HR Network Networking Game
The Goal: Test a Networking Game Before a Bigger Conference
Charities HR Network tried the game at a small networking gathering of about 30 people first.
Results of the Charities HR Network Networking Game
Everyone found it very easy to use. It went really well in a small meeting of 30ish people and we now plan to use it at our annual conference for 100+ people.
Takeaway: a small event is a low-risk way to test a business networking game before your annual conference.
Example 8: Recurring Networking Event Game for a Big Group
The Goal: Get a Big Group to Deeper Conversations Quickly
Hanseul runs a recurring networking event for a professional club, and this was their third one.
With a big group and a clear mission, they needed people past small talk fast.
Results of the Recurring Networking Event Game
A lot of people loved the activity portion of the event with the app, especially because it was relatively a big group and needed to get down to the deeper conversations quickly for the mission of the event/club!
Takeaway: prompts tied to your group's mission skip the small talk and get to the conversations that matter.
How the Business Networking Game in These Examples Works
Here's what guests actually did at each of the events above.
Step 1: Guests Scan One QR Code to Join
The organizer puts a QR code on the screen or on tables.
Guests scan it with their phone camera. The game opens in the browser, with no app to download.
Step 2: Each Guest Gets a Business Networking Prompt
A prompt appears, like 'Find someone from a different department and ask what their team is working on.'
It's one prompt at a time, not a card full of squares, and each guest gets a different mix.
Step 3: Guests Find a Match and Have the Conversation
They walk up to someone who fits the prompt and use it to start talking.
Step 4: Guests Scan Each Other to Unlock the Next Prompt
After the chat, they scan each other's QR code. That saves the connection and unlocks a new prompt.
What These Business Networking Game Examples Have in Common
A Clear Networking Goal
Each event knew who they wanted people to meet: sponsors, executives, other departments or other cities.
That goal shaped the prompts.
Run During Unstructured Time
Most ran the game during receptions, pre-dinner sessions or the opening of a mixer, when guests would otherwise cluster.
QR Code Visible Everywhere
The big screen plus extra QR codes around the room made the biggest difference to participation.
Prizes and Custom Prompts
Prizes kept competitive teams playing, and custom prompts made the game feel personal.
How to Implement a Business Networking Game at Your Event
- Decide who you want guests to meet
- Write 10 to 15 prompts around that goal, or start from a template
- Put the QR code on the big screen and around the room
- Launch it during the reception or first 15 minutes
- Run it for 20 to 45 minutes
- Show the leaderboard and reward the top networkers
Need prompts? Browse these ready-made business networking bingo templates.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are good examples of business networking games at events?
L'Oréal ran one at a 130-person sales kick-off, EVOTEK ran one at a partner expo to get employees talking to sponsors, and nearly 100 entrepreneurs played one at the Exmerce launch in Edmonton.
How do companies implement a business networking game at an event?
They set a clear goal (meet other departments, talk to sponsors), write prompts around it, put the QR code on the big screen, run the game for 20 to 45 minutes, and reward the top networkers.
When should a business networking game run during an event?
During unstructured time, like the reception before a seated dinner or the start of a mixer, before guests settle into groups.
What business networking game did these events use?
Jam Bingo. Guests scan one QR code, get a conversation prompt on their phone, find someone who matches, and scan that person's QR code to unlock the next prompt.