How to: Host a networking event where people feel they don’t have to drink alcohol

When organising a networking event, it is important to not overlook the range of drinks on offer for those that are not drinking alcohol. It is important to put care into selecting non-alcoholic drinks in the same way that you would when choosing the wine to serve.

At any event, at least 1 in 7 people won’t be drinking. Additionally, not everyone will want to drink more than one alcoholic drink. Why someone might choose not to drink may be for many reasons such as pregnancy, driving, religious observance, living an alcohol-free lifestyle, on medication, on a diet, being vegan or simply trying to reduce their alcohol consumption.

Therefore, it is important to offer non-alcoholic options to cater to those who are not drinking or are drinking less. If we don’t cater for their needs, they will not stay as long to network, they may feel awkward or out of place. If they are trying to cut down, they may still feel pressured to drink more or go home early.

There are many simple things that you can do when hosting a networking event to be inclusive to all and encourage people who may usually stay away from such an event, to give it another go.

What can you do?

Here are some things that you can easily do as a host to make not drinking an inclusive option:

• Provide a range of options of non-alcoholic drinks (see below).
• Let people know that there are non-alcohol options both before the event (on your invite) and at the event itself (don’t hide them away)
• Feel free to label them (in the same way you would label dietary options) if leaving them on a table for people to help themselves rather than serving them.
• If you have staff serving the drinks, make sure they are openly serving both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.
• If you have tray service on entry and staff topping up drinks around the room, make sure there are alcohol-free drinks on the tray from the start of the event, and offer alcohol-free top-ups as well.
• Serve alcohol-free options in a glasses that looks the same or if self-service allow people to choose the glass they use.

Low-Alcohol and Alcohol-Free Drinks to Try:

While juice can be an easy option (and can be a valid option at some events). It is important to remember that you are catering for an adult at a networking event. You want to include more than juices and cans of coke. You want to offer a choice. Your attendees should be able to hold and sip these drinks with your other attendees in way that makes them fit in – not stand out.

Serving beer, wine, and champagne? Then find three equally nice choices for your non-drinking guests.

• Low Alcohol/Alcohol-Free options of wine and beer.
• Elderflower Fizz
• Cordial (e.g. Urban Cordials)
• Mocktails
• Craft Sodas
• non-alcoholic spirits (e.g. Seedlips)

Further Reading:

• Networking Events: Alternatives to Alcohol-Related Networking Events