Found that showing up 20 minutes early to networking mixers is the real cheat code
I used to roll in right on time to those Detroit chamber events. You end up stuck in the long line at registration, then everyone's already in cliques. Last fall I started getting there when they're still setting up the name tags. You get one on one time with the organizers and the first few people who walk in. Landed a 12k commercial repaint contract with a property manager I met by the coffee urn before the official thing even started. Anybody else try showing up early and find it works better than the actual program?
Gotta disagree with you there. I've shown up early to a few of those and found myself standing around awkwardly while the organizers are still taping up signs. Usually feels forced and you end up making small talk with the same 3 people who just want to complain about parking.
Maybe it's just me but having been to a bunch of these, I started bringing my own coffee and just walking around the block if it's too early. Saves you standing there watching them tape things up.