The Dos and Don’ts of After-Networking in CLE

So, you’re in Cleveland for that big logistics conference, inbound marketing summit or whatever other large-scale annual meeting of the minds your industry throws to share best practices, shift the paradigm, yada yada yada.

Listen, we know you’re a professional and you take this stuff seriously, but we also know that when someone works as hard as you do, a trip like this is an opportunity to relax and engage your colleagues in some offsite shenanigans after the drink-ticketed networking session with heavy hors d’oeuvres.

Lucky for you, there’s plenty of fun to be had in Cleveland when you rip off the lanyard and unbutton that corporate polo one extra button, and we’re going to give you the inside track on off-siting responsibly in The Land.

DO: Hit up Great Lakes Brewing Co. in Ohio City to try some of Cleveland’s most beloved brews from one of America’s most decorated craft breweries.

DON’T: Indulge in one too many of their hard-hitting, high ABV seasonals like spooky Nosferatu, holly jolly Christmas Ale or the too-aptly named Blackout Stout. Trust us.

DON’T: Start your day off with the same continental breakfast you’ve had at every other conference.

DO: Grab the most important meal of the day at a local standby like Yours Truly, which boasts delicious omelets, hearty skillets and their famous Notso Fries (cottage fries covered in cheese, bacon and sour cream). With locations throughout The Land, Cleveland’s premiere local diner is never far away.

DO: Get to Sokolowski’s for at least one meal of pierogi, stuffed cabbage, chicken paprikash and all the delicious, homemade Polish food you can handle.

DON’T: Go right before you’re giving that big talk in Ballroom A. This is hearty, heavenly food we’re talking about here. An after-meal nap is basically required.

DO: Try the best teambuilding activity ever devised by someone wearing lederhosen. Head over to Hofbräuhaus Cleveland and take down a “shotski” with three of your colleagues.

DON’T: Attempt the beer stein-holding competition if you need your arm for anything at all the next day. Don’t be a hero. It’s tougher than you think.

DO: Buy the kids souvenirs they’ll actually wear with Cleveland-centric clothing lines by CLE Clothing Co. and GV Art + Design. Both traffic in high-quality threads with some of the best design work around.

DON’T: Bring home another bag of loose corporate-branded pens, notepads, hand sanitizer and stress balls you picked up on the expo floor. Your family deserves better.

DO: Take advantage of one of the 29 UH Bike stations or various electric scooters available throughout Cleveland to get to your next meeting just a bit quicker. They’re also great for doing a bit of sightseeing between sessions.

DON’T: Beef it in front of your colleagues. There’s always a picture and it always ends up in the company newsletter.