The benefits and importance of developing social networks and building social capital are not new (see more on Moody & Paxton, 2009) and are not different for academics (Streeter, 2014). However, networking in academic conferences can become a “card-swapping” activity with much effort and little reward. Following the theme of “Putting the Worker Front and Center,” this professional development workshop (PDW) aims to put academics themselves in the center and give participants time and space for intentional and meaningful networking, independent of their career stage or academic and demographic background. During the session, we will have a brief introduction and welcome plenary. Then, attendees will actively engage in speed networking, adapted from speed dating, to get to know other AoM members. In four rounds, participants will connect to members who have (1) similar research interests; (2) differing research interests; (3) differing teaching experiences; and (4) similar personal interests outside of work. At the end of our PDW, participants will have practiced networking techniques, leaving the conference with real connections and possibly even research ideas and collaborative projects.This session requires pre-registration and is limited to 60 attendees. To register, please fill out the form below: https://cwru.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bdu9fjjbfQvDLcq Please email gdc27@case.edu and sfe21@case.edu if you have any questions or want to withdraw your participation.