A lot of what people call “professional networking” is often spoken about in theory. But as a professional event host in Lagos, my experience with it has been more practical than that.
Some of the most meaningful opportunities I’ve had didn’t start in formal settings – they started online. One of those was with Seun Odegbami. We first came across each other on Instagram. At the time, he was sharing content around LinkedIn and how to use it more intentionally. That led to a collaboration between us, and from there, we connected more intentionally on LinkedIn.
Over time, that relationship grew, and eventually it led to me hosting the LinkedIn Local Bootcon in Lagos. This was my first experience hosting a LinkedIn Local networking event in Lagos.
Day of the Event
I arrived early, so the venue was still quiet. As a professional event host, I usually arrive early to understand the energy of the space before guests arrive. Only a few members of the team were around at the time, setting things up before guests started coming in.
It was hosted at Café One in Lagos. This gave it a different feel from a typical conference hall – softer, less formal, and more open.
As people began to trickle in, the room slowly started to take shape. Even though this was my first LinkedIn Local event, it quickly became clear what people meant when they described it.
Some people were meeting for the first time. Meanwhile, others recognised faces they had interacted with on LinkedIn and continued those conversations in person. In some cases, people met, connected on the spot, and added each other afterwards.
However, it wasn’t instantly seamless for everyone. Some guests eased into it quickly, while others needed a bit more time to find their rhythm in the space. That was where I came in as host, not just to guide the programme, but to shape the guests’ experience.
Professional Networking at a LinkedIn Local Event
The theme for the event, Getting Interconnected, and my discovery call with Seun, gave me a simple direction to work with – help people move from being in the same space to actually engaging with one another. In practice, it meant being very intentional about how I held the room and the opportunities I created for interaction. This included the following approaches.
Tech for Engagement
At the beginning of the event, I used a simple tech-driven prompt to open things up and ease people into participation. It helped set the tone early and got guests engaging in a very natural way.
It also served as an entry point for people who were still settling in. Instead of jumping straight into conversations, it gave everyone something light to respond to first. That helped break that initial stiffness and made it easier for everyone to interact.
Spontaneous Panel Moderation
Not everything about the day followed a fixed structure. At a point where a planned panel moment didn’t unfold as expected, I had to adjust quickly and keep the conversation going.
I shifted the energy by bringing audience members into the discussion and guiding them with questions that helped draw out their experiences in a clear way. A key part of this was knowing how to frame the right questions and follow up just enough to reach deeper insight.
That kept the conversation active even without a formal panel setup, and those who were initially just listening became part of it in real time.
Audience Interaction
What is a professional networking event without audience interaction? The energy of the room had to stay active all day, and that meant constantly creating openings for people to engage with each other.
At different points, I pulled the room into simple exchanges that got people turning to each other and responding in real time. And in between, I leaned into humour and timing, engineering laughter in a way that kept the atmosphere light and made it easier for people to open up.
Award Ceremony
The event ended with special recognition of professionals who were consistently adding value to their online LinkedIn communities. As I hosted that segment, I kept the tone warm and steady, giving each recognition the attention it deserved.
It was a fitting close to a day that was really about one thing – connection, in all its different forms.
Professional networking isn’t just about meeting people – it’s about what happens when those connections are placed in the right environment and allowed to grow in real time.
That is exactly what played out at LinkedIn Local Bootcon in Lagos. Connections that started online came into the same physical space, some meeting for the first time, others continuing conversations they had only ever had on LinkedIn. My role as host was to shape the flow of the day in a way that made those interactions easier, more natural, and more connected.
Every event is different, and I enjoy working with organisers and teams to design a flow that reflects each event’s uniqueness, like I did for LinkedIn Local Bootcon in Lagos.
Organising an event soon? I’d love to help bring your vision to life on stage. Send me a quick email to info {at} buifenomeh {dot} com or reach out here – let’s collaborate.
I offer professional emcee services in Lagos for:
- Corporate events
- Red carpet hosting
- Panel moderation
- Gala dinners and conferences
Events are business tools, but they don’t work if the room is flat.
As a professional event host, I help brands communicate their message clearly and create the right energy in the room.
From conferences, AGMs, gala and award ceremonies, to red carpet events, I make sure the message comes through and the audience stays engaged.
If you are planning something, contact me today, let’s talk.