How to Network at Corporate Events

In a world where every executive has a firm handshake and a stack of business cards, how do you become the person everyone remembers after a conference? After attending dozens in the past decade, I've developed a strategy that transforms conferences from transactional meetups into relationship goldmines. ♟️Pre-Conference LinkedIn Strategy The real networking begins weeks before the event. Review the speaker and attendee lists, then connect with key individuals on LinkedIn with a personalized message: "I noticed we’re both attending the Stand & Deliver event. I'd love to connect. See you soon." This pre-conference connection creates a warm introduction and significantly increases your chances of meaningful engagement. 👗👔The Memorable Wardrobe Element In my early career, I blended in at conferences. Now? I'm known for wearing a little more color (often D&S Executive Career Management teal) or patterns that are professional yet distinctive. When someone says, "Oh, you're the one with the great dress," you've already won half the networking battle. 🤝Contribute Before You Collect** Instead of collecting business cards, focus on providing immediate value in conversations. Can you connect someone to a resource? Share relevant research? Offer a solution to a challenge they mentioned? The executives who stand out aren't those who take the most cards—they're the ones who solve problems on the spot. What networking approach has worked for you at recent conferences? Share in the comments below! #ExecutiveLeadership #NetworkingStrategy #ConferenceSuccess #ProfessionalDevelopment

👻👻 A (professional) introvert's guide to making Networking Events Less Spooky 👻👻 If you fear networking events, copy my playbook. True story: I fear "networking events" on multiple levels. If biz dev wasn't part of my role with Remedy Public Relations, I'd be happy with a more behind-the-scenes role mentoring & strategizing (#careergoals). How do I make it "seem" easy? Preparation & strategy. 1. Show up EARLY. It's easier to strike up a conversation at the beginning than try to inject yourself after. 2. Be distinct. I like to wear one piece of flair that relates to who I am outside the office. My long-distance running shoes (Nike Zoom Fly Five / Hyper Pink), are a conversation starter. ⛳️ Do you play golf? Wear a golf shirt from a brand that only fellow golfers would know. IYKYK 3. Don't rush in. Whenever possible, I'll work remotely near the event. This gives me time to relax & collect myself before walking in. 4. Don't ask what someone does. That's transactional & many fear that question if they're between roles. Ask what they're up to. Let them choose the path. 5. Talk to everyone. I HATE the term referral partners, but I've received some great leads from people far removed from PR & marketing. 6. Plan to chat. Prepare to discuss something you're working on that you're excited about. - No one likes someone who only talks about their job. Be prepared to get personal. What did you do the weekend before that was exciting, or what are you looking forward to this weekend? Sound obvious? Sure… but I can barely remember what I had for lunch yesterday, so if you put me on the spot, I may forget if I didn't prepare. 7. Slide into those DMs. See who registered you want to meet & drop them a note. No list? Check who posted about going to the last event on social media. Drop them a note. 8. What's a challenge you or your industry is facing? Keep that in mind for conversations. 9. Work on your penmanship. If you have to write your own nametag at an event, it helps if people can read it. We also have little Remedy PR stickers to throw at the bottom of the nametags. Side note: Jonah Peake 🐺 has posted before about putting your nametag upside down to spark conversations. 10. Check your network to see who is going, but don't cling to them. I saw a lot of people I know & like at Connect's #IDSD24 a few weeks back, but I didn't sit with anyone too long. Move around. 11. Consistency brings comfort. Commit to a regular series of events so you start seeing some of the same people. It will make conversations less daunting & keep you in mind for later. 12. Stress builds strength. I try to commit to one new event or meeting a month that takes me outside my bubble. Makes the next one easier. 13. Drop a line to them after you meet. Keep the ball moving. Some pics below of people I met for the first time or strengthened relationships by going to networking events within the last six weeks. Kanani, Robyn Goldberg, Jason, Lu, Scott, Susan.

While the value of attending conferences is the networking opportunities, meeting strangers in a professional social setting, even as an adult, can lead to anxiety as many professionals are quite shy and introverted in person despite being sociable online—myself included. For my fellow introverts, breaking the ice and networking can seem daunting. Here are a few tips that have helped me: 1. Prepare Conversation Starters: Have a few go-to questions or comments ready, such as "What did you think of the keynote speech?" or "What brings you to this event?" 2. Set Small Goals: Aim to have meaningful conversations with just a few people. Tip: Get a list beforehand of who is attending or research who the speakers are and make it a goal to speak to a few of them. 3. Leverage Breaks: Use coffee breaks and social gatherings to casually introduce yourself to others. Tip: Find your way into an attendee dinner where networking is more relaxed. 4. Find Common Ground: Look for people with similar interests or challenges. This makes starting a conversation easier. 5. Be Yourself: Authenticity goes a long way. People appreciate genuine interactions. Remember, everyone at the conference is there for the same reason – to learn and network. Networking doesn't have to be overwhelming. Most attendees are just as shy as you might feel. With a few strategies, even the shyest among us can make valuable connections. #Networking #InboxExpo2024 #ProfessionalGrowth

How I Network at a Conference Attending a conference is a fantastic opportunity to learn and network, but most people don’t maximize the networking side of things. I’ve attended and spoken at over 1200 conferences, and I’ve picked up a few tricks along the way to ensure I’m making the most of every event. Here’s how I network at a conference to maximize connections: 1. Plan Ahead: Before the conference, I make a list of people I want to meet. I reach out to them via LinkedIn or email, letting them know I’ll be there and would love to connect. This proactive approach sets the stage for meaningful interactions. I don’t blanket every attendee, I am selective and preset about 3 appointments to meet in person. 2. Be Present During Breaks: During the breaks, happy hours, meals, etc…, I focus on being fully present. It’s tempting to check emails or get lost in social media, but being attentive to the social part of the conference makes for better chances to connect with people in the room. 3. Start the Conversations: I always strike up conversations with new people. I start with simple questions like, “What brought you to this conference?” or “What did you think of the last session?” This helps break the ice and often leads to deeper discussions. Look for people who are standing alone as sometimes they are hoping someone else will break the ice. 4. Follow Up: After meeting someone, I make a note of our conversation and follow up within a few days. A personalized message referencing our discussion goes a long way in building a lasting connection. 5. Leverage Social Media: I share my conference experiences on social media, tagging new contacts and praising the event. This not only amplifies my presence but also keeps the momentum going long after the conference ends. 6. Host a Meet-Up: If possible, I organize a small meet-up or dinner for a few attendees if there is a “dinner on your own” night. It’s a great way to build stronger relationships in a more relaxed setting. Plus, it’s an excellent opportunity to connect people from different circles. It’s okay to upfront tell people “everyone buys their own dinner”. Pro Tip- make a reservation for eight at a restaurant near the hotel a month in advance so that you have a table reserved at a good time. 7. Be a Resource: I always aim to be a connector. If I meet someone who could benefit from knowing someone else I met, I make the introduction. Being a resource for others strengthens my network and fosters goodwill. 8. Reflect and Act: After the conference, I take time to reflect on what I’ve learned and how I can apply it. I also review my new connections and consider how we can support each other moving forward. Conferences are more than just sessions and speakers; they’re about the people you meet and the relationships you build. By being intentional and proactive, you can transform your conference experience and create a network that supports your personal and professional growth. #networking

Forget the free food and swag. The real conference ROI? Stronger relationships. Here's how you do it: Was advising a founder headed to her first conference as an entrepreneur rather than just for fun / to hang out. These events can be intimidating and expensive so you want to make the most of your time and energy. Here's a recap of what we discussed: ◾ Know your goal. You are there to advance your business through relationships and new insights / information. Manage your energy, get enough sleep, don't eat too much of the free food if its junk. ◾ Chat everyone up. Your job is to build relationships with new friends and potential collaborators / customers. If you see people you know, great but don't spend all your time with them—use them to meet other folks "Can I join your group at lunch?" ◾ Small talk matters. Start w/ simple questions like "Is this your first time at XYZ Con?" "When did you get in / where did you come in from?" "What are you most hoping to get out of this event?" And be prepared to answer all those q's for yourself! ◾ Be choosy about the talks. Pick a few of the events you really think will be worth your time and ask a public question during the Q&A. It can make an impression for the speakers and also the audience (people will remember you and maybe start up a convo with you later) ◾ Be ready to connect. Have a QR code or link ready to your company / socials / mailing list. You'll completely forget to do this later and seconds matter b/c people get distracted / bored. ◾ Follow up with people. Do it right away so you don't forget who they were—email or social media DM. Remind them of how you met and share a memory or insight or piece of media that can help cement your relationship. Try to set up a call or at least be friendly on social in the DMs or in comments. ◾ All you need is a few good ones. It can feel overwhelming but if you can walk away from a conference with even just 2 strong relationships (which might happen slowly over time) for a conference to be a great investment. These days I don't attend as many conferences unless I'm speaking but early in my career these events helped me connect and deepen relationships with a lot of amazing people. What are your favorite tips when it comes to a conference?

I hate to break it to you all, but I’m a fraud…. I am not the extrovert that everyone assumes I am. In fact, the first picture you see is me hiding in the bathroom mentally preparing for a networking event. For those who don’t know, a couple weeks ago it was CBC week. Essentially this means everyone and their mother came to DC. Everyday there were a multitude of events from networking and mixers, to late night parties. Despite what y’all see on here, I am not the most outward person (a faćade I know) To be honest, I normally get anxious when networking. I feel awkward randomly walking up to someone I don’t know and trying to start a conversation. I’m scared it’ll feel forced or I’ll seem too overbearing. However, as a young professional, I’ve made a pact to myself to do things that put me outside of my comfort zone and going to networking events alone is one of them. As daunting as it may seem, once you have a strategy for networking, things seem to work out just fine. So here are some things I do to prepare for networking events: 1️⃣ Review event attendees Most events posted on platforms like Eventbrite and LinkedIn will display who is attending the event. I always try to make it a priority to look into the attendees at least once before the event. As I do this, I note who aligns with my interests or work to remind myself to connect with them at the event. 2️⃣ Make a list of common questions to ask If there’s one thing people like to talk about, it’s themselves. Due to that, I have a running list of questions to ask individuals who I meet. I try to ask a mix of questions that are both personal and professional. Here are some examples: ✨Tell me a little about what you currently do. Is there anything you would change about your current role or industry? ✨Where are you from originally? How did you experience growing up shape who you are today? (side note, if they’re from the area in which you’re networking in them, you could also ask about their favorite local spots) ✨If you weren’t in your current field or role, what do you think you’d be doing instead? 3️⃣ Set goals I have learned that you do not have to network with the entire room to have had a good experience or make your mark. In fact, I would argue that having a few good conversations outweighs having 50 basic ones. Thus, the goals I set for myself are focused on making genuine connections. I normally set the goal of having at least 3 genuine conversations over the course of a 2 hour networking event. So far, I’ve been hitting the mark! 4️⃣ Monitor my social battery I do not believe in forcing ANYTHING. So when it comes to a point when I’m all talked out, I leave. There is no shame in it. There is no blame in it. I encourage you all to do the same. You do not need to make yourself stay in a place in which you are overwhelmed. — What are some ways you prepare for networking events? #tipswithtaylor #networking #genz

Here's what I would do if I were a job seeker attending a networking event: 1) Get a digital business card. (Try Popl or Blinq. You can also make a QR code of your LinkedIn profile.) 2) Link the digital business card to my LinkedIn profile and my Open to Work Info Sheet. 3) Pick out something bright and memorable to wear. 4) Look up the speakers and event attendees on LinkedIn and make connections ahead of time. (Especially the speakers, everyone else will be connecting with them after the event.) 5) Practice my 30-second pitch when I'm introducing myself, outlining my background, accomplishments, and what I'm looking to do next. 6) Practice a good opening question like "What brings you here today?" or "Have you been to this type of event before?" 7) Bring a notebook and pen to take quick notes on the people I've met, especially if they have kids, pets, or hobbies that they mentioned. 8) Remember that everyone else is nervous too. They're too wrapped up in worrying about what they say and how they look to worry about me. We're all nervous and it's ok! 9) Find the organizer and thank them. They'll feel great and I made a connection with someone who knows everyone. 10) Follow up immediately on LinkedIn with everyone I met (and send an email, if provided). Here's a sample message: 1. Remind the person when and where you met and mention something from the conversation: “𝘞𝘦 𝘮𝘦𝘵 𝘺𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘥𝘢𝘺 𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘢𝘳𝘬𝘦𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘧𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘉𝘰𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘯, 𝘐 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘸𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘫𝘢𝘤𝘬𝘦𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘸𝘦 𝘵𝘢𝘭𝘬𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘦𝘧𝘧𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘚𝘌𝘖 𝘱𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘦𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘳 2025.” 2. If they promised to do something for you, remind them: “𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘥 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘯𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘩𝘪𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘢𝘨𝘦𝘳 𝘢𝘵 𝘈𝘤𝘮𝘦 𝘈𝘨𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘺 𝘪𝘯 𝘉𝘰𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘯, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘐’𝘮 𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘧𝘶𝘭 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘯𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯!” 3. BONUS: Include an article about something that you discussed: “𝘐 𝘧𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘭𝘦 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘚𝘌𝘖 𝘪𝘯 2025 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘐 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶’𝘥 𝘦𝘯𝘫𝘰𝘺 𝘪𝘵.”    Or, mention something they mentioned about their kids, pets, or hobbies: "𝘔𝘢𝘺 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘙𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘢 𝘨𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵 𝘩𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘸𝘦𝘦𝘬𝘦𝘯𝘥!" 𝘖𝘳, "𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘥 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘦𝘯𝘫𝘰𝘺 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘪 𝘵𝘦𝘢 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘐 𝘤𝘢𝘮𝘦 𝘢𝘤𝘳𝘰𝘴𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘧𝘢𝘣𝘶𝘭𝘰𝘶𝘴 𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘪𝘱𝘦.” I'm rooting for you. 👊 ♻ Please repost if you think this advice will help others. ***** Hi, have we met? I'm Emily and I'm on a mission to get the #greenbannergang back to work, one actionable step at a time. #jobsearch #jobhunt #jobseekers

It’s fall, and you know what that means: It’s networking season! Many people shy away from networking events because they can be uncomfortable. I understand that - it's normal to feel out of place when you don’t know anyone. But what if you had a strategy to turn every event into a meaningful opportunity? Let me share two simple but effective strategies I use to feel more comfortable and maximize my time at large gatherings: My first tip? Always have a question ready. When you’re at a networking event, people will react positively when you approach them. Everyone’s there to network, right? You can go up to someone and ask something easy like, “What are you most excited about right now?” or “Tell me about you.” These questions open the door to deeper conversations that  take you beyond small talk. When they answer you can pick out something to hook onto to bring the conversation to a deeper level. . The second tip? Have a follow-up plan. As you talk, think about ways you can contribute to the person’s life—a relevant article, podcast, or even a LinkedIn connection. By offering something valuable, you create a natural follow-up that helps maintain the relationship. These strategies help you get value from the event. Networking isn’t just about adding more contacts—it’s about building connections that matter. It’s the difference between feeling like you’re just passing out business cards and walking away with relationships that last. Networking events may be contrived, but with practice they can help you achieve your goals. What’s your go-to strategy for making meaningful connections at networking events? #networking  #strategy  #communication

Networking events. 🤮 For many of us, those two words evoke deep feelings of anxiety and dread. We view them as something to avoid or begrudgingly endure as part of the job or for the sake of making connections and building one’s network. We show up hoping to keep a low profile, exchange a few business cards, and make a quick (Irish) exit. But what if we reframed our mindset? What if, instead of avoiding them or reluctantly showing up, we willfully and intentionally prepared for these events like we would any other critical business meeting? So what does preparation look like? Set some S.M.A.R.T goals tailored to that event — people you’d like to connect with, practicing a specific skill you’re working on and would like to improve, purposeful conversations you’ll initiate, etc. Prepare an elevator pitch that feels authentic. Research attendees and organizations so you can ask thoughtful questions that demonstrate your interest in them. LinkedIn and Google are both great resources for this. Some things to look into: what projects, initiatives or news have they or their company recently announced? Are they speaking on any panels? If yes, about what? What topics do they post about or react to on LinkedIn? Understanding their context better allows you to engage more meaningfully. Also, prepare some conversational starters that could open up opportunities to exchange ideas and perspectives. Open-ended questions are great for kickstarting authentic dialogue. “What drew you to this event?” “What’s a topic or trend you’re paying close attention to at this moment?“What’s the biggest challenge you’re currently facing in your role?” If there is major legislation impacting how your industry or function might operate going forward, ask how they are preparing for it. These help conversations flow organically. Don’t sleep on small-talk conversation starters too, as those can lead to bigger conversations: “What was the last book you read?” “Last show you binge watched?” “On a scale of 1-10, how excited are you for the new season of Vanderpump Rules?” 🤷🏻♂️ Once you establish common ground, the conversation should just start to flow. If you’re like me, you still might not feel even the slightest bit excited when the event arrives, but at the very least you should feel more focused and purposeful rather than anxious and adrift. You’ll walk in prepared to “work the room” and engage in meaningful conversations that might spark innovative ideas or game-changing connections — and who knows what valuable relationships and opportunities might lie on the other side. #TalentAcquisition #Networking #Leadership #Coaching #PersonalDevelopment

Everyone says "work the room." Everyone is wrong. Introvert networking requires a different playbook. Standing alone at networking events feels like middle school lunch all over again, right? 🍎 Try these 8 plays from the introvert's networking playbook (no fake extroversion required) 👇 1. The Quality Connection Play ❌ Forget trading business cards with everyone ✅ Aim for conversations that continue post-event Try: "Are you using AI in your day-to-day job yet?" 2. The Authentic Introduction Play ❌ Forget perfecting your elevator pitch ✅ Be curious about the other person Try: "I bet you travel a lot. What's your non-work passion?" 3. The Pre-Game Research Play ❌ Don't walk in blind hoping for the best ✅ Study the attendee list like it's your job Try: LinkedIn-stalk speakers you actually want to meet 4. The Wingwoman Formation Play ❌ Don't attend events alone and overwhelmed ✅ Ask a buddy to share the conversation starter load Try: Two introverts equal one brave networker 5. The Deeper Question Play ❌ Avoid asking about someone's commute ✅ Ask what keeps them up at night professionally Try: "What's challenging about your role these days?" 6. The Home Base Strategy ❌ Don't wander aimlessly around the room ✅ Establish a comfortable spot where others can find you Try: Finding a quiet spot (ideally near refreshments) often attracts the right people who think like you 7. The Energy Management Play ❌ Reject back-to-back evening receptions ✅ Protect your social battery like the asset it is Try: Plan a solo lunch or walking meeting with one person 8. The Thoughtful Follow-Through ❌ Skip generic "Nice meeting you" messages ✅ Reference specific points from your conversation Try: "I related to the challenge of caring for your mom" Run your own playbook instead of following rules that weren't designed for you. The "wingwoman" concept is my favorite. What's your MVP (Most Valuable Play) for networking as an introvert? Comment below! --- ♻️ Repost to share with your fellow introverts who dread networking events! 👉 Follow me Stephanie Eidelman (Meisel) for more ideas about networking on your own terms. 📫 Subscribe to Women in Consumer Finance to access all my carousels, cheat sheets, and other content. (https://hubs.la/Q03dY9_n0)