It doesn't have to feel forced, and it doesn't have to involve booze.  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌

Read online Can We Finally Fix Awkward Networking at Events? It doesn't have to feel forced, and it doesn't have to involve booze.   David McMillin, Skift Meetings Head of Content October 20th, 2026 When was the last time you felt genuinely comfortable at a networking event? If you’re struggling to come up with an example, you’re not alone. Standing in a crowded room with a drink in one hand and a lanyard around your neck isn’t easy for a lot of us. Last week at IMEX America, I picked up a few simple adjustments that can make networking feel less like a dreaded chore and more like a good conversation with a new friend. Head below to see how to take the edge off at your next event, plus a full roundup of the mood on the show floor in Vegas, a new career initiative from EIC and what SITE’s interim CEO has planned. — David McMillin       FEATURED STORIES One Woman Leader on the Importance of Curiosity  By Barbara Scofidio The new interim CEO of the incentive industry’s major association, SITE, Rebecca Wright will initially focus on questioning, listening, and learning. GET THE STORY At IMEX America, Optimism Comes With a Price Tag By Andrea Doyle IMEX America proved the meetings industry still wants to gather. The question heading into 2027 is how much organizations will pay for the privilege. GET THE STORY Why Networking Receptions Stress Attendees Out — And What to Build Instead By David McMillin Planners often treat networking as time to fill. A design strategist argues it’s a job to be done, and that the fix is giving attendees a reason to talk that isn’t networking. GET THE STORY EIC’s Plan to Help Planners Find New Job Opportunities By Barbara Scofidio The Events Industry Council’s new Pathways initiative aims to create new opportunities for the entire industry — from entry-level professionals to senior-level leaders. It comes at a time when many planners worry that their current skills will be obsolete within the next few years. GET THE STORY             What $100 Billion in Infrastructure Means for the Future of Meetings BESydney + Skift Meetings Sydney is already one of the world’s safest cities. Now, a new international airport and a slate of new hotels and venues are about to put it at the top of more consideration sets. LEARN MORE             WORTH YOUR TIME Five questions worth your time today. Where are the 50 new hotels every meeting planner should know about? What if AI thinks your event is canceled? After Informa-Clarion, who buys who next? What holds 1,500 events together during Tech Week? How can you make a stronger first impression?             SKIFT PICK: TRANSLATING TRAVEL TRENDS FOR MEETINGS Hotels Can’t Top Summer 2026. That’s Your Opening for 2027. Wall Street expects U.S. hotels to finish this year strong. 2027, though, not so much. I combed through the fine print of one of Skift’s Daily Lodging Reports last week. Compare Truist Securities’ fourth-quarter RevPAR growth forecast of 6% to 8% for mid- and upper-end hotels to just 2.5% to 4.5% growth for those same hotels in 2027. The main reason: next June and July will be measured against this summer’s World Cup crowds. To be clear, that’s slower growth, not falling rates. However, it’s important to think about the revenue manager on the other side of your email. Their performance is judged year over year, and they already know summer 2027 will look soft next to summer 2026, especially in former host cities. A group that fills those nights makes their numbers look better. So, be bold and ask for more than you would have a year ago. That could mean a better rate, a lower F&B minimum or friendlier attrition terms. How aggressive should you be? Pay close attention to what executives say about 2027 group pace when third-quarter earnings start this week.             Skift Meetings Toolkit Great events are built on strategy, innovation, and the right resources. The Skift Meetings Toolkit is your go-to hub for best practices in managing meetings and events. EXPLORE THE TOOLKIT             Thanks for being a regular reader. We are switching to a new email platform. Why? This change will allow for better delivery, and more engaging newsletters. Please take a moment to add this new email address to your contacts to ensure you continue receiving your newsletters without interruption. During this transition, these emails might land in your promotions or spam folder. To ensure you don’t miss out, please move this newsletter to your primary inbox.         DEFINING THE FUTURE OF TRAVEL. Update your email preferences or unsubscribe here © 2026 Skift 35 W 31st St. New York, New York 10001, United States