Party on… Just mind your manners

Formal meetings are only one facet of conducting business at major markets like mipcom. People in this industry are an amicable, if not gregarious, bunch and many find themselves on the receiving end of a seemingly endless succession of invitations to social events during the month of October. However, much depends on drinks and dinner. For as fun and un-businesslike as cocktail parties and group dinners often seem, they play an integral part in building relationships that might just help you seal your next big deal. Committing social gaffes of the 'I can't believe how rude that was' variety may break a deal before you've even had the chance to get one on the table. You have to bring your A-game. So with that in mind, we've turned to a few etiquette experts and market veterans to divulge their strategies for making it through cocktails and dinners with your dignity and business intact.