Just before Christmas, I put on a big party for the business community (as well as people who are not members of the business community).
Tom’s Professional Networking Event began life as my 30th birthday party, but is now very definitely a serious work event, which means you’re allowed to put it on expenses.
Entertainments usually include live music, DJs, and a raffle. And then it starts to get a bit more left-field.
In 2024 we welcomed a Henry VIII impersonator to the party, while in our first year the event featured a highly realistic ice sculpture of my naked self.
Because of the work-themed nature of the event, the party now features line managers, who will give you a KPI to complete. The successful completion of KPIs will be rewarded with free drinks and other such fun prizes.
Basically, there will always be lots going on and it will always be exceptionally daft.
Originally, the Professional Networking Event had a capacity of 200 people, but after consistently selling out we’ve moved to a bigger venue with room for double the number of guests.
Absolutely everyone is welcome, although you are only permitted to enter the venue after you have completed a challenge which is different every year, and is not announced in advance.
Last time around, it involved these two priests and a copy of The Cleaning Bible by Kim Woodburn and Aggie Mackenzie.
I’ll leave you to work out the rest for yourself.
The Professional Networking Event is on a hiatus in 2025, while I spend a bit of time concentrating on my freelance career, but will return bigger and better than ever before in 2026.
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