DON’T JUST ATTEND ANOTHER NETWORKING EVENT. HAVE A PLAN.
Make better connections before, during, and after the event—without working the room, collecting meaningless business cards, or pretending you enjoy small talk.
I’m planning an event
Bring David in for a keynote, workshop, or book + program experience.
EXPLORE SPEAKINGYou don’t hate networking.
You hate what networking has become.
A networking event has more than one moment.
The real opportunity begins before you walk through the door—and continues after everyone goes home.
BEFORE
Know who you want to meet, why you want to meet them, and what a successful event looks like.
DURING
Stop trying to work the room. Use six key areas of focus to make real connections instead of trying to work the room.
AFTER
Follow through, schedule the next conversation, and give the relationship somewhere to go.
RESULTS
Build a stronger network, better relationships, more introductions, and more opportunities.
Explore the six focal points for the event
Be the Host
Welcome people and begin connecting immediately.
Have an Aware Buddy
Stay aware of your networking buddy without spending the event together.
Pick a Pocket
Use a simple system to organize information that needs follow-through.
Use the Conversation Method
Ask, listen and connect instead of defaulting to a sales pitch.
Remember Your List
Stay focused on the people you identified before the event.
Close the Right Deal
Close for a referral, useful connection, or permission for the next synergy conversation — not an on-the-spot sale.
Networking doesn’t have to feel like networking.
I Hate Networking Events! is a practical field guide for people who want better business relationships without becoming professional room-workers.
Whether you’re new to networking or refining your strategy, Ivan Misner’s endorsement highlights the book’s straightforward, measurable approach to creating powerful results.
— Ivan Misner, Ph.D.
NY Times bestselling author and Founder of BNI®
Practical networking advice that has traveled beyond the book.
The IHNE approach has been recognized for concise, humorous, practical guidance that helps professionals create a customized plan for networking events.
5 Key Ingredients to Maximize Your Networking Skills
ON STAGE
Practical, engaging sessions for conferences, companies, chambers, associations, and professional organizations.
Your audience already knows networking matters. Give them a better way to do it.
David Wilson brings a practical, funny, refreshingly human approach to networking—built for the people who would rather make three real connections than collect thirty business cards.
Author. Speaker. Relationship builder. David’s approach starts with treating people like people—and giving each connection somewhere to go. More about David →
Real readers. Real experiences. Real impact.
“David, I recently purchased your book, ‘I Hate Networking Events!’ … I found inspiration in this book.”Chris Watson
Reader testimonial
A practical toolkit for your next event.
Start with five quick event tools. Go deeper with the revised 2026 Workbook, included in English and Spanish.
Take a plan to your next event.
Five practical event tools, plus the revised 2026 Workbook in English and Spanish—all in one free download.
Your 2026 Workbook
Purpose, goals, event planning, conversation practice, and follow-through—in your preferred language.
One method. English and Spanish.
Both workbooks teach the same Before → During → After system. The mnemonics are localized to make them memorable in each language: EPSM™ ↔ REPS™, TLC ↔ SEC™, and FLAG ↔ CRAD™.
What are you trying to make happen?
Tell us why you’re reaching out. We’ll ask only what’s relevant.