Identify the staffer who will be a big star in five years and invite them now.

technique — attributed to Esther Coopersmith

Coopersmith's guest lists deliberately mix the powerful and the soon-to-be-powerful. She hand-selects rising staffers, younger people on the move, and the up-and-coming, and seats them next to the people they are about to be working with. Some of them grow into senators, cabinet members, and ambassadors, and the relationship the gathering started becomes the relationship that gets things done. The hostess who only invites the already-arrived is hosting a snapshot. The hostess who invites the next generation is hosting the next ten years of Washington.

For political hosts, philanthropic conveners, and industry leaders building long-term coalitions. The technique requires the host to have or develop the eye for who is rising.

talent-spotting, rising-stars, long-game, invitation-strategy