Small Business Networking Game
Help local business owners meet beyond their usual circle and leave with contacts they'll actually follow up with.
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Game Code: QW40PM
Why Use a Small Business Networking Game?
A small business networking game turns a big room of owners into a room full of real conversations. Instead of the same five friends catching up by the bar, attendees get prompts like 'Find someone who could refer customers to you.' The retailer meets the accountant, the new member meets the 20-year veteran, and everyone leaves with leads, referrals, and new partners.
Jam Bingo gives each owner one networking prompt at a time on their phone. They find someone who fits, talk, and scan each other's QR codes to unlock their next prompt. Every scan saves the other person's contact details, so nobody needs a stack of business cards to follow up the next day.
How Does Small Business Networking Game Work?
Small Business Networking Game runs on Jam Bingo—the simple, interactive networking activity. It is not a card, it has no squares, and attendees do not fill anything out. Here’s what each attendee does:
- 1
Scan to join
Attendees scan the event’s Jam Bingo QR code (or enter the game code). It runs in the phone’s browser—nothing to download.
- 2
Get a conversation prompt
Each person receives a conversation prompt on their phone, like a question to ask someone new.
- 3
Find someone and talk
They find someone who fits the prompt, have the conversation, then scan that person’s QR code (or enter their code) to unlock the next prompt.
- 4
Repeat and connect
Every connection is saved, and the leaderboard shows who met the most new people—perfect for prizes.
How to Use the Small Business Networking Game at Your Event
Follow these steps to set up and run the small business networking game for your own event.
- 01Step 1
Write Prompts for Business Owners
Start from a Small Business Month template or write your own. Mix business prompts ('Find someone who hired their first employee in the last two years') with personal ones ('Ask someone what local business they love supporting').
TipAdd prompts that create referrals, like 'Find someone whose customers could use your service.' - 02Step 2
Share One QR Code
Put the QR code at check-in, on name badges, or on a screen. Owners scan with their phone camera and join with their name and business.
TipAsk attendees to add their business name when they join so every saved contact makes sense later. - 03Step 3
Let Owners Network
Run it for about 20 minutes, then call out the top connectors. Keep the rest of the night for open networking.
TipHave your chamber ambassadors play too. They're great at introducing new members to the right people.
Ready to Use the Small Business Networking Game at Your Event?
Create a Jam Bingo, add your own prompts, and get a QR code for your event. You’ll be directed to the Create Account page first.
Have questions? Book a 15-minute demo.
Where to Use Small Business Networking Game
Small Business Month Mixers
A small business networking game helps 100+ local owners meet beyond their usual circle at your celebration.
- Mixes industries
- Creates referrals
- Saved contacts
Business After Hours Events
Run a small business networking game at your after hours event so owners meet new faces, not just old friends.
- Easy with a drink in hand
- Fun, relaxed tone
- Measurable results
Downtown and BIA Networking Nights
Use a small business networking game to help neighboring shop owners finally meet and plan ways to work together.
- Builds local partnerships
- No printing
- Runs itself
Small Business Networking Game vs. A Traditional Mixer
| Feature | Traditional Mixer | Small Business Networking Game |
|---|---|---|
| Who owners meet | People they already know | New owners across industries |
| New members | Stand alone near the door | Get sent to long-time members |
| Opening line | "So, what do you do?" | A prompt that starts a real story |
| Business cards | Lost by Monday | Contacts saved with every scan |
| Connections per person | 2 to 3 | Often 8 or more |
| Results for the chamber | Hard to measure | Players, connections, and a leaderboard |
Example Prompts for Small Business Networking Game
Taken from the Small Business Month Mixer template. Use them as a starting point, then adapt them to your group.
Make people move
Start prompts with "Find someone who…" so each one sends players across the room to a new person, not back to their own table.
Mix easy and deeper prompts
Open with quick, observable prompts (something they're wearing, where they're from), then add a few that lead to a real story.
Keep them inclusive
Avoid prompts about money, looks, or anything someone could feel left out of. Everyone should be able to answer at least half of them.
Match the length of your event
Around 12–16 prompts fits a 30-minute game. More prompts than time just leaves people unfinished.
- 1
Find someone who runs a business in a completely different industry and ask how they got started
- 2
Find someone who joined the chamber this year
- 3
Find someone who has been a member for 5+ years and ask for their best networking tip
- 4
Ask someone what their business's busiest season is
- 5
Find someone who could be a customer for your business
- 6
Find someone who has a storefront and ask what makes their location special
- 7
Ask someone what the hardest part of their first year in business was
- 8
Find someone who could refer customers to you, and someone you could refer customers to
- 9
Challenge someone to give their 10-second elevator pitch
- 10
Find someone who has hired their first employee in the last two years
- 11
Ask someone what local business they love supporting
- 12
Find someone who started their business from home
See all 15 prompts in the Small Business Month Mixer template · Browse all templates
Other Platforms Like Jam Bingo
Jam Bingo is designed to help people actually get to know each other, not just exchange names. Unlike icebreaker games that focus on quick interactions or surface-level fun, Jam Bingo is built around meaningful conversations that make it easier for people to open up, find common ground, and build real relationships.
| Features | Jam Bingo | Hoogo | SocialPoint.io | Booth Bingo | Eventgamification.com |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paperless (QR Code Digital) | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Custom Branding | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Conversation Prompt | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Meaningful & Intentional Connections | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Contact Sharing (Email, Instagram, Linkedin, etc) | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Each person gets a list of everyone they connected with, including contact information and conversations they had. | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Introduction Forum | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Auto Introductions ("Introduce Me") | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a small business networking game?
It's an activity that helps business owners meet each other at a mixer. With Jam Bingo, each attendee gets one prompt at a time, finds someone who fits, and scans their QR code to unlock the next prompt.
Does it work for 100+ people?
Yes. Everyone plays at once and it runs itself, so it works the same for 100 owners or 300.
Do attendees get each other's contact info?
Yes. Every time two people scan each other, the connection is saved, so attendees leave with a list of everyone they met.
Do attendees need to download an app?
No. They scan a QR code with their phone camera and play in the browser.
How long should the networking segment be?
About 20 minutes works well. It's enough for several new connections without taking over the evening.
Is it good for Small Business Month?
It's a great fit. Use it at your Small Business Month mixer in October in Canada, or during National Small Business Week and May celebrations in the US.
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