A New Hope for Networking

Imagine that networking events are like that scene from Star Wars. The Cantina band blares, bounty hunters haggle at full volume, there is the sound of glasses being raised in toast at every other table, and if you look real close you may even spot in the back a guy wearing an open vest with a tall furry carpet beside him. There is even a gruff gatekeeper who exclaims, "We don't serve vendors in here!"

Uh. Wait. What.

That real-world interjection brings the imagination train to a screeching halt.

But the fantasy scenario is a useful example. All of the aliens that populated the Mos Eisley cantina had visible differences that you could see. That visual diversity gave our hero clues. He could anticipate what kind of exchange each character might offer.

Even in the dizzying din of noise, he could lean in, talk louder, and still communicate. But to have a conversation, he needed to not just talk, but listen. Yet in that raucous crowd, that was easier said than done. He had to pick words out of all the noise, avoid distractions like someone at the next table saying "Kessel Run," or that jazzy saxophone solo, and even just the general buzz that a group of people makes.

How many times have you asked, "What did you say?" before starting to feel awkward? You become worried that the person will think you're not paying attention, and you don't want them to lose patience.

Now imagine if you had partial hearing loss. Imagine that your ears had a battery indicator. At 100%, you're good to go. But in a noisy mixer, that bar drains fast. Every "could you repeat that" or missed name tag zaps a little more energy. For those with hearing loss, it's not just draining. It's deflating.

Networking becomes less about connection and more about survival.

If you are a host of a networking mixer, or any business event that draws a large crowd, what if you had an attendee with partial hearing loss? You wouldn't know it, and they should not be required to share it. But if this person could pull you aside, they would share what most of us never understand: when the noise kicks up, their world starts to shut down. Between the pounding music and overlapping voices, all they can do is smile, nod, and hope the speaker’s face doesn’t turn away too fast. Because when it does, they’re stuck trying to reconstruct the conversation from expressions and tone alone.

The person no doubt would say, "I love events like this. I want to meet people. But after a few minutes, I stop hearing words and start hearing waves. It all blends. And I don't want to interrupt someone to ask them to repeat every third sentence. So I just nod. And hope they don't ask a question."

And here’s the thing: according to the CDC, nearly 16% of adults in the U.S. experience some form of hearing difficulty. Yet our networking spaces are often designed like they’re optimized for maximum chaos.

Remember when the bartender growled, "We don't serve their kind here," about droids? That scene is about exclusion. Sometimes it’s overt. And sometimes it's built into the acoustics and the layout. Modern exclusion isn't always about hostility. Sometimes it's about design.

Let’s fix that.

Inclusive design isn’t just about ramps or captions. It's about paying attention to the signal to noise ratio, literally. Because when we lower the volume, we raise the connection.

So next time you plan or attend an event, don't just be a Rebel. Be an architect. Ask:

• Can someone read lips in this lighting?
• Can they hear you without playing lip sync roulette?
• Can someone take a break without leaving the entire space?

Being inclusive isn't about adding one accessible feature. It's about subtracting the friction.

The Cantina Check-List (for Event Organizers)

• Keep background music at a conversational volume (below 70 dB is ideal)
• Create a "quiet zone" or designated conversation corner
• Use soft furnishings to dampen echo and reverb
• Ensure lighting is strong enough for easy lip reading
• Offer real-time captioning apps or speech-to-text tools on request
• Outdoor venues can be ideal or those spaces that allow for a wall to be taken down

Jedi Tips (for Fellow Attendees)

• Face the person you're speaking to
• Don't cover your mouth while talking
• Ask if the volume is okay and offer to step aside if it's too loud
• Be mindful of body language. Sometimes discomfort isn't about the topic, it's about the setting
• A quick check-in like "Want to move somewhere quieter?" isn't awkward. It's powerful.

Self-Advocacy Moves (for Job Seekers)

• Carry a speech-to-text app shortcut on your phone (like Ava or Otter)
• Use a go-to phrase like: "Would you mind stepping over there where it’s a bit quieter?"
• If it’s too much, take a break and regroup. Your health isn’t negotiable
• Politeness shouldn't come at the cost of comprehension

Networking is hard enough. No one should have to guess their way through it.

So next time you plan or attend an event, channel your inner rebel and rethink the soundtrack.

Let’s make the galaxy a little more inclusive… one mixer at a time.

Tag an event host who gets this right or share this with someone planning their next gathering.