Unusual Places to Network...

How many of you out there find that networking works best when you are "off guard?"

Lately, whenever I'm on a plane and on vacation with my family, I bump into someone I know from business.

Last year when I was in Vegas with my sister and cousin for a "girl's getaway weekend," I met up with an advertising colleague. We hadn't seen each other in a while and we had an opportunity to catch up.

I went back to Las Vegas this past weekend for a business conference on new media. At the conference, I met a few people who will donate products and services to some of our upcoming events that we will be organizing for our non-profit clients.

Back at the bar, my colleague and I met a real estate guru from New Jersey. We told him we would keep in touch. Then, on the plane ride home, I bumped into a former client! I was standing on line to use the restroom when I noticed a tall man who looked just like my uncle. I thought, could that be? I went over to him and asked him if he was a former client of my firm. And it turned out he was. It was great to catch up for a few minutes on the four hour flight back to NY.

I find that networking works best when you are on a plane or on vacation. You're relaxed and off guard. Anyone else have a similar experience? I would love to hear about unusual places to network.....