The networking evening after the first day of the International Composites Summit in December felt like the perfect way to bridge formal sessions with genuine human connection. After an intense day of presentations, panel discussions, and idea exchanges at The Drum at Wembley, we all stepped across the road to the White Horse in Wembley for a relaxed gathering that would become one of the highlights of the summit.
From the moment people arrived, it was clear this was not just another drinks reception. There was a really positive atmosphere as people relaxed and took the chance to shift out of conference mode and into conversation mode. Attendees greeted old colleagues and introduced themselves to new faces. The atmosphere was warm and welcoming, supported by a lovely buffet that offered the kind of variety that sparked conversation as much as satisfied appetites.
Music played by the very talented Tony Bowen provided a familiar backdrop. Hearing well-known songs from across the years had people dancing and singing along. A great musical set that encouraged people to relax, to laugh, and ultimately to open up more easily than they might over coffee in a conference hall.
The first drinks were on us, and people took full advantage, not in excess but in the way that good networking moments deserve. A couple of drinks in hand seemed to unlock even better conversations about the day, emerging trends in composites, and longer-term collaborations worth exploring.
For me, the true value of this event lay in how it helped build relationships. Throughout the conference, we speak with each other in structured settings. We listen, and we learn. But it is in these relaxed environments that ideas deepen and connections take shape. When people are comfortable, when they are laughing, when they are sharing stories, that is when trust starts to build. That trust is what leads to partnerships, to projects, to real progress in our industry.
Looking around the room that evening, I saw new friendships forming and existing ones growing stronger. I saw engineers chatting with suppliers, researchers talking with manufacturers, and executives sharing insights with students and early career professionals. Those conversations will continue to inform the work we do going forward.
Networking events like this are more than social extras at a summit. They are essential to the health of our community. They remind us that behind every presentation and every technical paper are people. People who are passionate, curious, and eager to work together.
I left the White Horse that night feeling energised, connected, and optimistic about what we can achieve as a community when we take time to genuinely connect. The conversations from that evening will stay with me in the months ahead, and I expect they will lead to meaningful collaborations that extend far beyond Wembley.
Written by Gemma Hardy