With 13,000 and 7,000 monthly Google searches for "professional networking" and "business networking" respectively, the UK shows rising demand for networking opportunities.

London leads globally with an average of 2,851 networking events and a typical beer price of £6.02.

Berlin ranks second, boasting the highest number of trade fairs per city (153).

Solopress' research into the best cities for networking covers 30 cities, examining crucial metrics like networking events, rentable event spaces, coworking availability, Wi-Fi speeds, and average beer prices.

The Best Cities for Networking

Solopress compiled an index of the best cities globally for rubbing shoulders with potential professional contacts.

London comes top with 2,851 networking events per day, offering professionals an unparalleled platform to connect and establish valuable connections. Meanwhile, Berlin scores top marks when it comes to hosting trade fairs, propelling the capital city to second place overall.

The Worst Cities for Networking

In contrast, the research also identifies cities with fewer networking resources. Notably, Doha (Qatar) and Abu Dhabi (UAE) rank lowest in our study. Despite being known for business and entrepreneurship, these cities exhibit a lack of accessible networking events and facilities, significantly affecting their rankings.

Solopress have spoken with Cameron MacArthur, CEO and Founder of AI Insurance, who has shared his valuable networking advice. MacArthur’s tips include:

1. Be outgoing

Proactively greet and converse with unfamiliar colleagues.

2. Check-in

Regularly check in to strengthen existing relationships.

3. Show gratitude

Deepen impact with handwritten thank-you notes.

4. Get specific about your problems

Request help with specific issues, not vague networking.

5. Actually Listen

Listen attentively, remember names, and follow up on conversations.