How to Build Valuable Connections via Events Efficiently
People always say events are the most inefficient way to build connections, but I'm seeing it the other way around.
Events—whether conferences, meetups, or networking sessions—are goldmines for building meaningful professional relationships. But in many conditions, people just wander in the venue, not knowing who to talk and what to discuss.
To truly maximize the value of industry events, you need a strategy that spans before, during, and after the event. Here’s how to turn event attendance into lasting, impactful connections.
1. Before the Event: Prepare to Stand Out
Research the Event: Understand the organizer, sponsors, and speakers. This will give you context about the event’s purpose and the type of attendees it attracts. Usually event organizers will put the information on the event page.
Set Clear Goals: Are you looking for mentorship, collaboration opportunities, or simply expanding your network? Define your objectives to stay focused.
Identify Your Targets: Based on your goal, look up the attendee list or research potential attendees on LinkedIn. Pinpoint who you want to connect with—industry leaders, or peers with shared interests. Most event platforms have clunky search features right now. Walnut AI simplifies it with AI powered natural language search, making attendee info easy to find and saving you time.
Prepare Your Pitch: Have a concise and compelling introduction ready. Highlight what makes you unique and what you’re looking to achieve. You can also research your target’s interests beforehand, making it easier to find natural conversation starters and break the ice.
2. During the Event: Be Strategic and Genuine
Connect with the Host: Event organizers often have access to check-in lists (e.g., via tools like Luma). Politely ask if your target attendees have arrived and if they can introduce you.
Leverage the Check-In List: If the event uses a digital check-in tool, review the list to identify who’s present and prioritize your interactions.
Be Observant: If you can’t find your targets, don’t hesitate to look around and strike up conversations with others. Sometimes, the best connections come from unexpected encounters.
Engage Authentically: Ask thoughtful questions, listen actively, and show genuine interest in others. Avoid hard-selling yourself—focus on building rapport. From my conversations with investors and entrepreneurs, I’ve learned it’s better to stand out through your ideas and personality, not by pushing your product. Be memorable, not salesy.
Exchange Contact Information: Use LinkedIn QR codes, digital business cards, or other messaging applications to quickly save contact details. Sometimes the connection in the venue is not good, so maybe you could prepare some NFC cards to help solve such issues.
3. After the Event: Follow Up and Nurture Relationships
Curate Your Contacts: Organize the contacts you’ve collected immediately after the event. Use tools like:
HubSpot CRM to track interactions and set reminders for follow-ups.
LinkedIn to send personalized connection requests referencing your conversation.
Notion to customize your contact management experience, making it more appropriate for your business.
Walnut AI to exchange contacts, curate the list and check the source information by one-click.
Follow Up Promptly: Send a thoughtful message within 24 hours. Mention something specific from your conversation or your shared experience and interests to make it memorable.
“It was great discussing [topic] with you at [event]. I’d love to continue the conversation—let’s connect!”
“I’m so happy to hear that you love bouldering and have reached the V10 level! We should definitely boulder together next time.”
Add Value: Share an article, introduce them to someone in your network, or offer insights related to their work. Building a connection is about giving, not just taking.
Stay Consistent: Keep the relationship alive by engaging with their content, checking in periodically, or inviting them to future events.
Events are more than just opportunities to collect business cards—they’re chances to build relationships that can transform your career or business. By preparing strategically, engaging authentically, and following up consistently, you can turn event attendance into a powerful networking tool. Of course, many products can make this process much smoother. Be sure to leverage their strengths.
Do you have any additional tips for boosting professional networking at events? Feel free to share them in the comments!