Business dinners: the $1B secret you’re probably ignoring

Most people waste time trying to build their network by “getting exposure.”

The real play? Dinners.

Not $75k booths.
Not speaking to 5,000 people.

If I’m hosting a convention, I always host a dinner. Even if I’m home, I try to invite people together and always accept dinner invitations.

Deep connections win. Always.

Here’s the exact format I use:

• Invite a few great people. Ask them to each bring one amazing person they know.

• Keep the group small enough that a single table feels natural.

• Create a WhatsApp group so momentum keeps building.

Dinner flow:

• Quick intros: who you are, what you do, what you want to offer, what you want to get. (3 min each.)

• Jeffersonian style: one table conversation, one topic at a time.

• Vulnerability questions:

  • If you really knew me, you’d know…

  • If you really, really knew me, you’d know…

  • If you really, really, really knew me, you’d know…

Result:
People get vulnerable fast.
Real relationships form.
No small talk. No endless “what do you do?” loops.

I used this recently during a YPO meeting. There are over 11 YPO chapters throughout LA, and not everyone gets a chance to meet each other.

But the best part? You don’t need to be in YPO.
You don’t need permission.
You just need the internet, some intention, and a little courage.

This method has helped me build more real connections than anything else.
It’s my #1 move—and it’s compounding every year.

Last week, I chaired the YPO Global Marketing Summit in Miami. You already know dinners were a major focus.

To building $1B relationships the right way,
Eric Siu

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