Engaging with Attendees for Better Networking

Someone said "You should teach a transition class at events like these" while at the Air & Space Forces Association annual event in DC yesterday I explained that I have done that before...but attendance at these major events typically fell into 2x buckets: 1 - many of the senior leaders attending weren't even thinking about their transition, so they focused on talking with friends, attending events & industry engagement 2 - the ones in their transition window were hell-bent focused on "finding a job" by going to pitch themselves to every major defense contractor in attendance #quinnsights Going to these booths and saying "I'm the ...." doesn't tell them anything about what you want or can do Companies don't come to these major events to hire (they come to sell and form partnerships) And that events like these (AFA & AUSA) don't typically "get you a job" They give you an entry point (someone to speak to & maybe build a relationship) #militarytransition But the key to every event is FOLLOW UP What should you do? 1 - connect with them on LinkedIn every time Show them your QR code right there and wait for their connection request to come through (sneaky way to ensure they do) 2 - Go into My Network each night and look at your newest connections They are organized chronologically, so they will all be people from the event 3 - Send them a quick note on LinkedIn saying how great it was to meet them at (insert event name) and that you would love to stay in touch for advice This locks in that you met face-to-face in their Inbox...always leaving a reminder there in case either side reaches out (not a cold pitch) 4 - Make a networking spreadsheet that tracks the people you met AND who responded For the ones that responded, asked some simple questions or for a short advice phone call, if appropriate For the ones that didn't - send an additional follow up message one week later to thank them again and add a short easy question (they'll be back from the event & likely have more time) #militarytransition Once you get to the calls, ask questions to learn and listen more than talk to find your success Questions? Is there anything you would add? And will I see you at the AUSA Fireside Chat/Transition Panel on Tuesday Oct 15 from 1300-1500 in Rm 147A/B in the Washington Convention Center?

The most effective networkers understand a fundamental principle that distinguishes meaningful professional relationships from transactional interactions: they prioritize contributing value before seeking assistance.   Effective networking strategies focus on mutual benefit:   Pre-Event Research: Identifying attendees and understanding their professional challenges, recent achievements, or industry focus areas where you might offer insights or connections.   Value-Forward Conversations: Initiating discussions around industry trends, sharing relevant resources, or offering introductions to valuable contacts rather than immediately discussing personal career needs.   Strategic Follow-Up: Connecting post-event with thoughtful resources, articles, or introductions that address specific challenges discussed, rather than generic LinkedIn requests.   Long-Term Relationship Building: Maintaining consistent, value-driven contact with your network through sharing relevant opportunities, insights, or connections throughout the year.   This approach transforms networking from a series of favor requests into genuine relationship building that creates reciprocal value over time.   Professionals who consistently offer value before seeking assistance develop networks that actively support their career advancement because those relationships are built on mutual benefit rather than one-sided need.   The strongest professional networks emerge when individuals position themselves as resources for others' success rather than solely focusing on their own advancement needs.   What strategies have you found most effective for creating mutually beneficial professional relationships?   Sign up to my newsletter for more corporate insights and truths here: https://lnkd.in/ei_uQjju   #deepalivyas #eliterecruiter #recruiter #recruitment #jobsearch #corporate #networking #professionalnetworking #relationshipbuilding #careerstrategist

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

✨ What’s the best way to have a meaningful conversation with a bunch of strangers? The first two Spark No. 9 salons invited people from vastly different arenas to come together for an evening of conversation. We weren’t sure it would work. Would people really show up just to talk? The answer: a strong yes. Here’s what we learned in our first two experiments that we will take forward to future salons: → Cast the net wide. Our first salon, An Audience of One, was ostensibly about how technology has pushed us toward narrower and narrower targeting. But while our room had a fair number of digital marketers and audience specialists, it also included people in theatrical production, founders, filmmakers, angel investors, technologists, and storytellers. The conversations in each group were wide-ranging, and I think people were surprised at what they had in common across industries and disciplines. → Curate. Each conversation group was carefully constructed from the list of confirmed attendees. Each group had something in common—maybe everyone worked for a large organization—but we also thought like matchmakers. Who might be able to help each other? Who did we think would have a crazy-good chat? → Create structure. Each conversation group had a different question to discuss and a coordinator who provided gentle facilitation. Giving people a topic totally circumvented the awkward small talk that happens at networking events. In fact, in my group, people didn’t even introduce themselves! They just started talking about the topic and over time revealed relevant info about themselves. Of course, we had a hiccup or two. For example, somehow our no-shows all came from one or two conversation groups, which made for a scramble as we tried to resize. We’ll be better at that next time. In any case, our guests were so gracious that they just rolled with it. It’s funny—most of us spend every day as practitioners. We’re targeting audiences or innovating (the topic of our second salon), but we rarely zoom out and think about the culture that we operate in or the challenges that we share. It turns out that a salon is a great way to create a space for broader conversations and to build real connections among people from diverse fields.

I spent $25K on a dinner last Tuesday. The $10 name tags generated more ROI than any marketing campaign we’ve ever run. We gave out metal name tags. Custom-engraved. Nothing fancy. I almost died of anxiety getting them shipped in time. But by Thursday, people were still wearing them around San Mateo. At totally different SaaStr events. That’s when I knew this wasn’t just another founder dinner. It was something people wanted to be identified with. No RSVP forms. No sales pitch. Just 90 hand-picked founders and product leaders packed into a single restaurant. And here’s what happened organically: - Small-group conversations spilled outside the restaurant until 10pm - A founder told me they solved a product problem during a chat at the bar - Two partnerships were formed between attendees who’d never met before Here’s what we learned about building genuine connections in an industry drowning in “networking events”: 1/ Create a momentary escape We rented out the entire restaurant. No outsiders. No agenda. Just a space for authentic conversation. 2/ Curate ruthlessly We personally invited those who would make the evening better for everyone in the room. 3/ Design for post-event connection Those engraved name tags became conversation starters days later. “Hey, weren’t you at the Recall.ai dinner?” Traditional marketing tracks every dollar. But building genuine community means letting go of immediate attribution. Three different attendees DM’d asked, “When’s the next one?” That’s the kind of community equity you can’t measure on a dashboard. What’s the most meaningful connection you’ve made at an event that wasn’t trying to sell you something?

Events are about connection, but most networking events suck. It's because those connections are left up to chance. Here’s why—and how to fix them. I used to hate networking events, a lot of it was my own mindset. Because I put way too much pressure on myself to “meet the right people.” And when you walk in with that mindset, you’re not building relationships—you’re hunting prospects. People can feel that energy, and it’s not great. Stephanie Menashe, CMP and I were talking about this before an MPI event at Top Golf. She’s in the middle of a career transition and wasn’t sure what to put on her badge: “Independent Event Professional” “Looking for My Next Home” One feels neutral, the other carries judgment. The reality is that everyone in the room is looking for something—a job, a client, an idea, or just good conversation. So how do we make networking events feel less like a sales pitch and more like real connection? Here are three ways to instantly improve any networking event: 1. Rethink the Name Badge Ditch “Name, Title, Company.” Instead, use prompts like: - Ask me about… - I’m looking to connect with… - My big idea is… This simple shift turns badges into conversation starters. The conversation starter was always the part I overthought the most! 2. Create Connection Zones Instead of a bunch of wandering aimless zombies, set up spaces based on interests. - Creative Thinkers - Tech Innovators - Event Strategists When people know where to go, they don’t have to struggle with who to talk to. 3. Facilitate the First Move The hardest part of networking is breaking the ice. So, make it easy. - Have event hosts or “connectors” introduce people - Place conversation starter cards on tables - Start with a short speed-networking session At the end of the day, networking should be about what you can give, not just what you can get. When I started focusing on meeting interesting people—rather than landing my next big deal—these events became a whole lot more fun. -------------------- Hi, I'm Jay Designing experiences for events that drive ROI for our clients. #business #branding #sales #marketing #eventprofs