But not just for the download of B2B marketing knowledge it offers. For something rather special that happens in the evening once the conference doors have closed.
From what started out as a few friends meeting up after the event for some good grub and decompress has snowballed into one of our favourite nights of the year.
Now in its 5th year, the Sharper Summer Supper Club (wow that’s some alliteration!) brings together some fantastic faces from the B2B marketing world to mingle, share stories, but most importantly, to relax after a full-on day.
And on the 1st July, the wine was flowing, the conversation never stopped, and the whole evening was described as “more like a gathering of friends” by Vicki Kei, Head of Marketing at PTC. That’s what networking should feel like – not forced, not overly work-related, not awkward. Like friends.
Hosted at the beautiful Bow Lane restaurant, Stem + Stem, our Summer Supper Club is a celebration and a thank you to our clients and contacts in the industry. A chance to sit back and chew the fat with genuinely nice people.
We started with a drinks reception to allow everyone to arrive and finish watching the footy. Who could have predicted our best night of the year would also fall on the same day as the England vs Democratic Republic of the Congo match?
Not us!
But it did make for a great conversation starter.
Though, when it came to sitting down for the meal, our table certainly wasn’t short of those! Mainly curtesy of Scott Stockwell (Founder at Workmatik) with gems such as “who would play you in a movie and why?” and “what would your death row meal be?”
The last being a key part of the Sharper B2B hiring questions, though we phrase it as “your favourite meal”. What can I say, we all love food – and it tells you a surprising amount about a person.
(In case you’re curious, I’d start with something Asian-inspired like Bao Buns, have a Roast Dinner for my main – pork with crackling - then finish with an overload of chocolate: hot Chocolate Fudge Cake. Think of that what you will…)
The food at Stem + Stem was decidedly fancier combining their florist alter ego with exquisite flavours.
Three courses served like clockwork, and a toast by our MD, Russ Powell thanking everyone for coming. There was never an empty glass in the room.
It says a lot about how good the evening has been when the venue starts closing up around you!
And that is testament to what Supper Club is all about.
It provides a calm, relaxing place for people to unwind and decompress after the madness of a day spent at a conference (whilst also enjoying some amazing food and drink). Much needed!
It helps us celebrate our amazing clients and contacts in the B2B industry (and gets everyone linked up with likeminded people too).
“The post-conference brain frazzle is real. Supper Club is our way of saying: ‘Lanyards off, tote bags down, chill’. Nailing the brief is one thing, but moments like this are what really sets Sharper apart - nothing transactional, just good conversations with good people over good food. In fact, we should do them more often…” says Ben Congalton, our Head of Client Success.
It builds stronger relationships between our clients and the Sharper team (aka The Sharperinos).
And it helps us to say a massive thank you to everyone (clients, contacts, and of course the Sharperinos) for helping Sharper be what it is and get us where we are.
So, all that’s left to say is “cheers!”