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How to Network at a Conference

By Ellie Grant, founder of GoPassy · Updated September 11, 2026

Pick three to five people or companies you want to meet before you go, have a short introduction ready, make it easy to swap details with a QR code in your phone’s wallet, and follow up within two days while they still remember you.

Before the conference

• Set a small goal, like three meaningful conversations, not fifty handshakes.
• Make a short list of speakers, companies, or attendees you want to meet, using the event app or website.
• Update your LinkedIn, since that’s where people will look you up afterward.
• Get your contact details ready to share. Put your LinkedIn QR code in Apple Wallet so you’re never spelling out a URL.
• Prepare a 20-second intro: who you are, what you do, and what you’re hoping to learn at the event.

At the conference

• Arrive early. The first half hour is quieter, and conversations are easier to start.
• Use the in-between moments: coffee lines, lunch tables, and the minutes after a session ends.
• Lead with questions, like “What brought you here?” or “What did you think of that talk?”
• Swap details before you part, with a quick scan of your QR code and a connection request on the spot.
• Take notes right away: a name and one detail about each person you met.

After the conference

• Follow up within two days with a short note that mentions your conversation.
• Offer something useful, like an article, an introduction, or an answer to a question they had.
• Keep in touch by engaging with their posts now and then, not just when you need something.

Networking tips for introverts

• Look for people standing alone, since they’re often glad someone said hello.
• Talk to speakers after their session, because you already have a topic to start with.
• Take breaks. A few quiet minutes between conversations is fine.

Here’s how to write a follow-up message people actually answer.

Questions people ask

How do you start a conversation at a conference?

Ask about the event: “What brought you here?” or “What did you think of that session?” Shared context makes it easy to keep talking.

How many people should I try to meet at a conference?

Aim for three to five real conversations. A few people who remember you are worth more than a pocket full of business cards.

What’s the fastest way to swap contact details?

Show a QR code that opens your LinkedIn, and let the other person scan it with their camera. With GoPassy, it lives in your phone’s wallet, so it’s ready in a second.

When should I follow up after a conference?

Within two days, while people still remember your conversation. Mention one specific thing you talked about.