5 Ways to Network at Conferences
Companies are increasing their spending on in-person work meetings this year. How to maximize these great opportunities to expand your network.
The number of work conferences might not be growing, but the ones that are being held are getting bigger. A whopping 88% of companies hosting work meetings and events expect to spend more this year over 2025, according to a survey from American Express. And attendees aren’t just there to do a job. “People are going out of their way to connect in person again,” says Alison Harrigan, Korn Ferry’s head of the Hospitality, Travel, and Leisure practice. Indeed, 40% expect more networking opportunities than they did five years ago, according to American Express.
Networking remains the best way to find a job—it’s how upwards of 80% of positions are filled—and amid the messy job market, people are incorporating conferences into their search process. At the same time, networking remains critical for even the most senior of executives. Interacting with leaders in other industries can expose them to different perspectives or new approaches to problem-solving. “There is real value for executives at the peak of their careers to continually expand their networks,” says Alan Guarino, vice chairman in Korn Ferry’s CEO and Board Services practice.
We asked our experts for their most effective conference networking tips.
Define your goals.
Most people fail to set clear objectives for what they hope to get from attending a conference, says Harrigan. Is the goal to get a new job? Is it to learn about a particular company or leader? Or do you just want to make industry connections for the future? “Understanding your priorities will help you narrow in on who you want to meet and why,” says Harrigan.
Get the guest list.
Check out the attendee roster in advance as early as possible. Makes a list of people you consider a “must-meets” and research them on LinkedIn and elsewhere to get a sense of their priorities. Then reach out in advance, perhaps a month before the conference, to book time with them at the conference.
Get the word out.
Whether you have the guest list or not, let your manager and colleagues (or former colleagues) know about the conference and ask if they can provide introductions or recommend people to meet, says Harrigan. A few weeks in advance, start commenting on social media about news and trends relevant to the event, or topics and speakers you find especially exciting. Asking people at the event who they’re interested in meeting, or who they’ve most enjoyed meeting, is a great icebreaker and networking tactic as well.
Find a hook.
Experts suggest that you have a relevant topic for each meeting or request. In other words, don’t approach people with a vague request to grab a coffee or pick their brains. Instead, establish a basis for connecting. Identify existing work or relevant trends that tie into their needs and interests. Try to offer value in the way of resources or a referral.
Get a second meeting at the first.
The most common mistake people make when networking is failing to schedule a second meeting. They leave things open-ended or suggest meeting again in a follow-up or thank-you note, without offering specific days and times. Using that approach, a candidate is just one of many people on a list competing for time and attention. Instead, consider scheduling a follow-up meeting, where appropriate, at the end of the first one.
Learn more about Korn Ferry’s Leadership and Professional Development capabilities.
