Your 3-Step Guide to Owning Conference Season: Prepare, Engage, and Follow Up

More than 250 million people attend conferences annually in the US alone, according to the Global Conference Alliance. Industry events are powerful opportunities to build new relationships, learn from industry experts, and elevate your professional presence.

Even if you’re a seasoned conference attendee, this three-step guide will help you show up with intention, connect with confidence, and follow up with purpose. Let’s get you ready for conference season!

1. Prepare

A strong start begins before you arrive. Approaching the days and weeks before the event with intention can turn a routine experience into a career-defining one. How can you prepare?

Set goals. Ask yourself, "What do I want to walk away with?” Maybe it’s new industry contacts, potential sales leads, or innovative ideas. Write down a few goals to guide how you spend your time.

Do your research. Research the speakers, sessions, and even the attendee list if available. Identify people or companies to connect with, and follow them on LinkedIn before the conference. A conversation starter like “I’ve been following your work and…” sets you apart.

Polish your introduction. Your introduction doesn’t have to be scripted, but it should be concise and delivered with confidence. In 30 seconds, you should be able to share who you are and what you do. With any extra time, get creative with what else you decide to include. If you need some ideas, here are a few to consider:

• What excites you about your work?

• Your goal or focus for the event

• A current priority in your role

Ensure that your LinkedIn profile and any other professional platforms you share are up to date and reflect your current role and interests.

2. Engage

When the conference starts, you’ll be surrounded by activity and information. The goal is to stay intentional, not just busy.

Schedule intentionally. Don’t overload your schedule trying to be everywhere at once. Prioritize sessions that align with your goals, and leave room for spontaneous conversations—some of the most valuable moments happen in the hallways, at lunch, or between sessions.

Start conversations with impact. Thoughtful questions spark better conversations than a resume rundown. While it’s easy to fall back on “What do you do?”, it’s not always the most engaging conversation starter. Instead, try asking:

• “What’s been the highlight of your work lately?”

• “Which session are you looking forward to the most?”

• “How did you get into this line of work?”

Write it down. Many conferences offer handouts and speaker notes, but don’t underestimate the value of taking your own. You probably won’t revisit every deck, so get in the habit of jotting down highlights—key takeaways, ideas for your team, names of people you met, and standout conversations—to make the most of your learning.

3. Follow Up

The conference may end, but your impact doesn’t. The post-conference period is when the seeds you planted start to grow.

Reach out soon. You’ll meet a lot of people, and so will everyone else. Follow up within 48 to 72 hours while the conversations are still fresh. Send a short, personalized message that reminds them who you are, references your chat, and suggests how you’d like to stay connected.

Add value. When you follow up, add a personal touch. Send an article, book, or event recommendation related to your conversation (this is where your notes will come in handy). Small gestures like this show that you were engaged and worth staying connected with.

Reflect. Before diving back into work, ask yourself:

• What did I learn?

• Who or what stood out?

• What will I do differently next time?

Capture your thoughts to retain the value of this conference and show up even better for the next one!

Showing Up Is Just the Start

Conferences are what you make them. With the right mindset and a little intention, you can walk away with more than a name tag and swag bag, like valuable takeaways and meaningful connections!

For additional preparation before your next event, check out our curated learning path designed to get you conference-ready.