Networking Event Participation

How could I build a career if I couldn't even handle a "simple" networking event? Twenty years later, I'm CHRO. And I still hate networking events. But I cracked the code. Traditional networking assumes collecting 50 business cards equals success. For introverts? One deep conversation beats 50 shallow hellos. Quality over quantity isn't just our preference. It's our superpower. So I built my own system. ——————————————— → The 100-Point Energy Budget Every event, you start with 100 energy points: • Random small talk: -15 • Meaningful conversation: -5 • Pretending to laugh at bad jokes: -20 • Finding a fellow introvert: +10 • Strategic "email break": +5 Hit 20 points? Leave. That's not quitting. It's resource management. ——————————————— → The 3-Deep Rule While extroverts collect 50 cards, I build 3 real connections. They get names. I get allies. They get LinkedIn adds. I get coffee meetings. They get forgotten. I get remembered. One meaningful conversation > 50 forgettable handshakes. Tell people you're "gathering insights for research." Now it's an interview, not small talk. Arrive 15 minutes early. Quieter room, better conversations. ——————————————— → The Opener That Works "I'm testing a theory that admitting you're an introvert at networking events creates better connections. You're participant seven." People lean in. They want in on your experiment. Ask what matters: "What problem are you tackling right now?" "If you weren't here, what would you rather be doing?" ——————————————— → The Lighthouse Strategy Don't circulate. Plant yourself somewhere visible. Let people come to you. Or volunteer at check-in for 30 minutes. Meet everyone, defined role, then disappear. Set 45-minute alarms. Energy check. Below 5? Bathroom break. ——————————————— → Permission Granted You can officially: • Leave after 52 minutes • Eat lunch alone at conferences • Say "I need to recharge" • Build your network through LinkedIn • Skip events that don't serve you My biggest deals came from 1-on-1 coffees, not cocktail parties. My best hires came from deep conversations, not speed networking. ——————————————— → The Truth Successful introverted executives didn't learn to act like extroverts. They learned to network like strategists. My record? 12-minute holiday party appearance. Two conversations. Both mattered. Still got promoted. Once had my assistant call with an "urgent client matter" 45 minutes into a dinner. The client was my cat. Zero regrets. Your quiet nature isn't a bug — it's an executive feature. Your energy management isn't high maintenance — it's self-leadership. The revolution isn't about becoming louder. It's about quiet leaders writing the rules. From a comfortable distance. Through screens or deep connection. Like the evolved professionals we are. ♻️ Share to save an introvert from networking hell 📩 Get my Networking Energy Toolkit → https://lnkd.in/dfhfHWe5

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

Over the next 3 months, I’m hosting 4 major events in France, UK, USA and KSA. Beforehand, I want to share my top tips on how to get the best out of networking. 1. Set Clear Targets Action: Make a hit list of the top 10 companies or people you need to meet. Research what they care about—know their wins, pain points, & what they’re hunting for before you walk through the door. Outcome: These conversations won’t just happen by chance. By doing your homework, you’ll turn a five-minute chat into a deal-building moment. Schedule meetings in advance, & after the event, send a tailored follow-up email that shows you were listening. 2. Take the Stage (Literally) Action: Get on the agenda. Whether it’s a keynote, panel, or fireside chat, nothing says “I’m the one to watch” like holding the mic. Use this time to address the industry’s biggest challenges & position yourself—& your company—as the answer. Outcome: Speaking builds instant credibility. It’s not just exposure; it’s authority. Post-event, share the highlights on LinkedIn & invite attendees to continue the conversation, turning an audience into a lead pipeline. 3. Own the Floor Action: Don’t just lurk—work the room. Engage with key exhibitors, ask questions, & position yourself as a resource, not just another pitch. Be direct but curious: “What’s your biggest challenge this year?” and “How can I help?” are powerful openers. Outcome: You’ll stand out as someone who listens. Take notes during conversations, & follow up within 48 hours with a personalised message. Not a generic “great meeting you”—send actionable insights or specific ideas that move the ball forward. 4. Host the Inner Circle Action: People bond better in a more relaxed setting than over Wi-Fi. Organise an exclusive dinner, roundtable, or cocktail event for a curated group of heavy hitters. Keep it intimate—this is about building relationships, not just showing off. Go easy on the heavy sell. Outcome: People remember who brought them value & connections, not who handed out free pens. Post-event, share any key takeaways & book one-on-one follow-ups to solidify what you started over drinks. 5. Hack the Tech Action: Use every tool at your disposal—event apps, LinkedIn, QR codes. Pre-event, reach out to attendees & book meetings. At the event, swap contacts digitally to keep things seamless, & use a CRM to track every interaction. Outcome: You’ll leave the event with an organised roadmap of leads, not just a stack of business cards destined for a desk drawer. Follow up strategically with segmented, value-driven emails & keep the momentum alive. The Bottom Line: Trade fairs & exhibitions aren’t just networking. Preparation, presence, & follow-up separate those who close deals from those who just collect swag bags. Be human. Don’t think of this as just a branding exercise but an opportunity for long term partnerships. Be genuine - your new contacts will become close contacts, if not friends. Make it count! #revenuegrowth

When I talk about networking, I’m not talking about awkward small talk or exchanging as many business cards as possible. Networking, when done right, is about creating meaningful connections that can last beyond the event. Here’s how to approach networking at events with intention: 1️⃣ Show Up Prepared: Know who’s attending, research speakers, and have a clear idea of who you want to meet. Preparation shows respect and sets the tone for a valuable interaction. 2️⃣ Listen More Than You Talk: Networking isn’t about selling yourself—it’s about showing genuine interest in the other person. Ask thoughtful questions and listen with intent. People remember how you make them feel. 3️⃣ Add Value Immediately: Whether it’s offering an introduction, sharing a helpful resource, or simply being present in the conversation, think about how you can bring value to the relationship from the start. 4️⃣ Follow Up Like a Pro: The real magic of networking happens after the event. Send a personal follow-up email or LinkedIn message that reflects on your conversation and keeps the door open for future collaboration. Remember, it’s not about the quantity of connections—it’s about the quality of relationships. Every interaction is an opportunity to build trust, learn something new, and grow your network authentically.

I’ve been having lots of conversations about LinkedIn for events from organisers wanting to drive visibility and engagement, to exhibitors heading to upcoming tradeshows, and everyone in between. Whether you’re hosting, exhibiting, or attending LinkedIn can help you get more out of every event: ✨ More visibility 🤝 More connections 📈 More business outcomes Yet LinkedIn is often underused in the event space. A one-and-done post. A quick thank you. A flurry of activity... then silence. But here’s the thing: the event isn’t the beginning and it shouldn’t be the end. To get the most value, LinkedIn should be part of your strategy before, during and after the event. Here’s how to make the most of it: 🌠 1. Be LinkedIn Event Ready Your profile and company page shape your first impression often before anyone meets you. They should tell a clear, credible story that aligns with your event involvement. Organiser Tip: Create a LinkedIn Brand Kit for your speakers, exhibitors, and team – banners, hashtags, talking points, and example posts. Exhibitor Tip: Use an event-themed banner to show your stand details or branding. 🌠 2. Build Relationships Before the Event The most valuable connections rarely start cold on event day. The lead-up to the event is prime time to increase visibility, build familiarity, and position yourself as someone worth connecting with or visiting at the stand. Organiser Tip: Spotlight speakers, exhibitors, and sessions early and use tags to amplify. Exhibitor Tip: Shortlist people you want to meet - clients, prospects, collaborators, media and start connecting early. 🌠 3. Maximise the Event Experience Use LinkedIn to take people behind the scenes, amplify moments as they happen, and make your presence visible to those who couldn’t attend. Organiser Tip: Have someone live post from the floor, tagging participants and sharing session soundbites. Exhibitor Tip: Make it easy for people to connect with you it creates immediate pathways to keep the conversation going. 🌠 4. Keep the Momentum Going This is the stage where most people go quiet, but this is when the real relationship-building begins. Use LinkedIn to keep the conversation going. Share your takeaways. Follow up with new connections. Repurpose content into future posts. Organiser Tip: Share a highlight post and set the stage for what’s next even a “Save the Date” works. Exhibitor Tip: Send a personalised follow-up message referencing your chat. 🌟 Key Takeaways LinkedIn is one of the most powerful tools you have to extend your event beyond the room. It allows you to build relationships before the first handshake, stay visible throughout the event and strengthen credibility and connection long after the banners are packed away. And if you'd like support to develop your own LinkedIn event strategy that's more than one and done, I’d love to help. Because showing up is just the beginning. #linkedin #events #eventmarketing

I used to drop $1,000 on big conferences, thinking that’s where all the action was happening. Now? Game-changing events > calendar fillers. Turns out, the best convos were always happening at small side events. Recently at TechWeek, I managed to get into a tiny, highly curated event for a Series B+ audience and it was so worth the hustle. This wasn’t a “buy ticket, show up” kind of event. It was more like: find the organizers → reach out directly → dig up mutual intros → prep a killer intro blurb → earn your spot Because even the best pitch means nothing if you’re in the wrong room. Here’s how I decide where to go now, and don’t waste my time (or budget) there: → Research the audience first Check last year’s attendees. Look at the speaker companies. If your ICP isn’t there, don’t go. → Prioritize curated over open-door Events with RSVP forms and shortlists are gold. They take more effort to get into, but the quality of conversation is 10x higher. → Hunt for the small stuff and side events I’ll skip the 2,000-person conference for a 20-person breakfast any day. No booths, no noise — just real people and real context. → Use event curation newsletters I love Supermomos newsletters for finding quality events. Way better than scrolling Eventbrite or Luma for hours. → Don’t stack your day One meaningful event > three mediocre ones. You’ll actually have energy to follow up. Result: I stopped collecting just LinkedIn connections and started landing real leads. And I couldn’t have pulled it off without my assistant — from outreach, to prep, to managing all the behind-the-scenes ops. Great networking starts with choosing the right rooms. And remember: not all events are created equal. Some open doors. Some just fill your calendar. What’s your approach to event strategy?

The worst business advice I ever followed was "network more." Early on I did exactly that.  Went to every event and collected every card. Most of it led nowhere. The relationships that actually turned into deals all came from a small number of rooms with the right people in them. After attending and organizing 100s of events, this has been my biggest takeaway: Quality rooms and consistent presence beat volume every single time. If you're just starting out, here's how to get into the right rooms: → Find communities where people are building → Observe before you speak → Watch how the best connectors interact → Share what you're building and learning → Start with a few meaningful conversations → Focus on depth over volume Getting into the room is step one.  Now, what you do once you're there is what actually matters. These are the 5 ways to build strong relationships once you're there: 1️⃣ Offer value first ↳ Share insights, connections, or resources. 2️⃣ Ask thoughtful questions ↳ Curiosity builds better conversations than any pitch. 3️⃣ Be authentic ↳ People connect with honesty, not scripts. 4️⃣ Make introductions ↳ Connecting two great people strengthens your network. 5️⃣ Show up consistently ↳ Trust grows through repeated interaction. Now that you've built the relationship, the maintenance of it is just as important. Here's how to maintain your network: 1️⃣ Follow up with intention ↳ Reach out when you have something meaningful to share. 2️⃣ Stay visible ↳ Attend events and participate regularly. 3️⃣ Keep conversations natural ↳ Forced networking is obvious, and people feel it. 4️⃣ Support others ↳ Celebrate their progress, and offer help during tough stretches. The founders I've watched build the best partnerships all did the same thing: They chose the right rooms and kept showing up. If you want to be in a room with serious founders and investors focused on real relationships and long-term growth: I host monthly events designed for exactly this. Details and sign-ups at https://bit.ly/EXPROEVENT What's the best networking advice you've ever received? Drop it in the comments. ♻️ Repost to help someone in your network build better relationships. 🔔 Follow Amrinder Kamboj for more on business, networking, and long-term growth.

Are you just attending events or actually connecting? The last few weeks I have been at conferences and events, trying to do one thing well: connect with people, not just collect badges. That is the real trade off: Busy vs present. Visible vs relationship builder. A few things become obvious: 1) Depth beats volume You do not need to meet everyone. You need to have a few real conversations that can continue after event. Ask: “What are you actually trying to solve this quarter?” Then listen. People remember who cared about their context, not their title. 2) Serendipity needs structure Yes, chance encounters matter. But you increase your luck by being intentional. Choose 2-3 sessions where your ideal peers will be. Arrive early. Stay a bit after. One good hallway conversation, tied to a shared session, is worth far more than 20 rushed introductions. 3)Follow up is the real event The conference is just the opening scene, not the whole story. Capture one specific detail from each conversation: a challenge, a book mentioned, a share interest. Use that as anchor when you reach out later. That is how you turn a fleeting chat into an ongoing relationship. Connection at events is not networking as performance. It’s is curiosity, focus, and continuity. P.S.: Next time you walk into an event, what one behavior will you change to move from “met many” to “really connect with a few”? #BusinessNetworking, #EventStrategy, #B2BMarketing, #RelationshipBuilding, #ProfessionalGrowth, #RefreshWithRyza André Miasake, Lenny Joseph, Mike Wilding, Krishan (Kris) Mehta, P.E.

I avoided networking for years. 😟 The thought of crowded rooms, forced conversations, and awkward icebreakers sent my social anxiety into overdrive. 😰🙅♀️ But as a founder, networking isn’t optional—it’s essential. Whether it’s meeting potential collaborators, learning from others in the space, or simply getting the word out about Sama Health, I’ve realized that connecting with people is at the heart of building something meaningful. So, here is how I made it work for me: 1️⃣ I choose intimate events over big crowds. Think small workshops, niche meetups, or panels with limited attendees. Why? Because they’re less overwhelming and give me space to truly engage. Instead of feeling overwhelmed and alone in a sea of faces, I can focus on connecting with a few people meaningfully. 2️⃣ I find my safety net in advance. Before an event, I check who’s attending. If I spot someone I know—even remotely—I reach out. Planning to meet up with a familiar face takes the pressure off introducing myself cold to strangers. It’s like having a buddy system for your nerves! 3️⃣ When I don’t know anyone, I create my comfort zone. I scout attendees through LinkedIn and send a thoughtful connection request: a quick intro, why I’m excited about the event, and how I can add value. By the time the event rolls around, I’ve already “met” a few people, making real-life interactions far less intimidating. 4️⃣ I prepare my mind as much as my outfit. Anxiety doesn’t wait until you’re in the room—it starts days before. To manage it, I meditate, practice box breathing, and ground myself. This helps me show up calm, focused, and ready to engage (as much as I can). 🌟 Networking isn’t about forcing yourself into someone else’s version of how it should be. It’s about showing up in ways that feel right for you. For me, that means being intentional, prepared, and focused on genuine connections. 🤔 If you’ve found your own hacks for networking with social anxiety, I’d love to hear them. And if you’re like me—someone who thrives on smaller, more meaningful interactions—let’s connect! You never know where one conversation might lead. 💬✨ #NetworkingWithAnxiety #SocialAnxiety #AuthenticConnections #MentalHealthMatters #ProfessionalGrowth 🔁 Repost if you believe networking should feel authentic, not overwhelming!

Attending a conference? To increase the ROI from your time, effort, and money - it's important to 1) prepare ahead of time, 2) craft a game plan, 3) stay engaged during the event, and 4) take proactive steps afterward to maximize professional growth and connections. Below and attached are some key tips and a roadmap of to dos to maximize results from conference attendance. ➡️ Prepare Before Your Go: - Define clear goals for attending the conference, such as networking, learning, or scouting new opportunities. - Review the event schedule and identify sessions, speakers, and networking events relevant to your objectives. - Research attendees and, if possible, reach out for pre-conference meetings or introductions. - Prepare an elevator pitch to describe yourself succinctly and bring business cards, or digital equivalents, for easy information exchange. ➡️ Be Ready to Maximize Your Experience: - To expand your network, attend both formal sessions and informal events, such as coffee breaks, dinners, or social activities. - Attend a variety of session formats to broaden your learning, from workshops to panels and lectures. - To cover more ground, consider distributing your team among parallel sessions and share notes afterward. - Throughout the event, take notes on key takeaways, interesting contacts, and actionable tips. - Use the conference app or social media to connect with other attendees and keep track of sessions and people you meet. ➡️ Network Effectively: - Approach new contacts genuinely and avoid overly sales-focused conversations. - Refer to name tags for personalized introductions and ask follow-up questions to foster meaningful dialogue. - Be a giver: offer assistance to others and share insights from sessions to start conversations. - Be ready to end conversations politely and move on as needed. ➡️ Post-Conference Actions: - As soon as possible after the event, review and organize your notes on sessions and contacts. - Summarize and share insights, key takeaways, and resources with your team or network to extend conference value. - Follow up with new contacts via LinkedIn ASAP, and later via email to continue professional relationships. - Take time to reflect on your original goals for attending and whether attending the conference helped you achieve them, then plan for improvements at future events. - Rest and recharge as needed: balance intense participation with self-care. When approached intentionally and actively, attending a conference is a valuable opportunity for professional development and networking. With solid preparation, engaged participation, and strategic follow-up, anyone can turn a single event into long-term benefits and connections! Please share other tips in the comments. Thx! #businessdevelopment #marketing