One of the best things about conferences is meeting new people and making connections. Here are 5 tips to help make the most of this opportunity.
- Take your business cards with you and have them handy at all times. This is a quick way to share information with new people, and also to enter give-away events during sessions. Many conferences are using QR codes on name badges, but physical cards are still a great way to make connections.
- If you take someone's business card, take a minute to jot a few notes on the back - who is this person, where did you meet, what did you discuss, what is your followup, or even a physical description in case you run into them later.
- If the conference has a "meet to eat" option, where you sign up to go out for meals, then sign up for these. It's a great way to meet people in a more casual atmosphere but still with the conference connection. Also great if you are the only one from your system at the event.
- Sit with someone new in breakout sessions and at meals, especially if you are with other staff members from your system. Don't huddle together in a group, spread out and say hello.
- Get in a line. Meal lines, registration, even lines for the bathroom are great places to meet people in a natural way and this has the advantage of limited time to talk so you won't get stuck in an awkward conversation.
Bonus tip -- Look up from your phone at meals and before breakout sessions. Look around and try to meet the people sitting near you, rather than sitting with your head down and ignoring everyone.
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