How to organise an event that is not a waste of time

EVERYONE has attended an event - from a cosy tête-a-tête to discuss a looming project, to large seminars where thousands gather to hear industry gurus speak. These are the places to make the right connections, receive latest updates, to see and be seen.

However, over the past couple of years, I've noticed audiences for such events are changing - in their willingness to attend, as well as expectations and response when they do turn up. This is not surprising. Most do not want to risk wasting an evening of possibly disastrous boredom, when a skim of the Internet or browsing through LinkedIn could provide the information and networks required. Time is, as it always has been, our most valuable asset.

But we are social beings, and attending a get-together is something most people enjoy. I've made new contacts, re-established links with old friends and made some of my most successful hires (sometimes on the spot) while attending random gatherings.