We hear it often, the moment we bring up structured networking with organizers of small and mid-sized events:
“We only have 40 people. We don’t really need a platform for that.”
It’s a widespread belief. And it’s a mistake that costs dearly — not in money, but in missed opportunities.
Where does this idea come from?
The idea that structured networking is reserved for large events comes from an intuitive but flawed logic: the more people in a room, the more potential connections, so the more organization is needed. Below a certain threshold, people assume it’ll happen naturally.
The problem is that networking never happens naturally. Not with 40 people, not with 400. People gravitate toward what’s known, comfortable, familiar. Without structure, even a group of 20 people will reproduce the same circles, the same conversations, the same results.
What we actually observe with our clients is the opposite of the initial intuition: events with 40 to 80 participants often generate the most value per attendee — provided they’re well structured.
What small events do better
A 40-person event has a massive advantage that large conferences don’t have: every meeting can be 100% intentional. There’s no crowd to manage, no complex logistics. There’s just a group of people who have something to offer each other — and your job as an organizer is to create the context for that to happen.
Concretely, that means:
- Knowing your 40 participants and their goals before event day
- Having prepared 2 to 3 meeting suggestions for each person
- Creating intentional connection moments rather than unstructured free time
- Following up within 48 hours with personalized reminders
That’s exactly what structured networking tools enable — and that work is just as relevant at 40 people as at 400.
A concrete example
One of our clients has been organizing an annual forum for CFOs of Quebec manufacturing companies for several years. About 50 attendees. Before adopting a structured approach, the event ended with positive feedback on the content but very few new connections actually formed.
By adding a simple matchmaking system — profiles completed in advance, meeting suggestions sent 48 hours before the event, 3 scheduled 15-minute meeting slots built into the program — the number of qualified connections quadrupled. The re-registration rate for the following year went from 62% to 89%.
Same attendees. Same budget. Same room. Just a better structure.
The most common objections — and honest answers
“We all know each other already.” Maybe. But knowing someone and having a productive business conversation with them are different things. Structured networking creates meeting contexts that informal acquaintances don’t.
“It’s too complicated for a small event.” It’s actually less complicated at 40 than at 400. Fewer profiles to manage, less logistics, more personalization possible.
“We don’t have the budget.” The real question is: what’s the cost of an event where your attendees don’t form the connections they came for? The lost value is often far greater than the cost of a tool.
“Our attendees don’t like it.” What attendees don’t like is forced, artificial networking. What they love is meeting the right person at the right time without having to search for two hours. That’s exactly what good matchmaking offers them.
What “too small” really means
There’s no such thing as an event too small for a networking strategy. There are events where networking isn’t a priority — and that’s a legitimate choice if your goal is purely content delivery.
But if your goal is to create value for your attendees — connections that lead to collaborations, sales, partnerships — then the size of your event isn’t an argument. It’s an opportunity.
A 40-person event where every attendee leaves with 3 new qualified connections generates 120 new business relationships. A 400-person cocktail where everyone talks to their existing contacts generates approximately zero.
Size doesn’t determine impact. Structure does.
Your next event deserves more than a free-roam cocktail.
Whether you have 30 or 300 attendees, our team can show you how to structure networking to maximize the value of every meeting. Free demo, 20 minutes.
Book my free demo →
