The Art of Intentional Networking at Tech Conferences

It's conference season! I already had to sit at home jealous while friends had fun at Render ATL, but it's my turn soon with Commit Your Code next week in Plano, TX. It boasts a banger lineup of speakers, which got me thinking: how do you get the absolute most out of an event like this? The number one rule is determining your goal before you step through the doors. Are you going to hang out with friends, meet new people, or hunt for a job? Each objective requires a completely different approach, prep strategy, and attire. 1. Hanging Out with Friends This is the easiest path. Wear whatever keeps you comfortable while looking relatively professional. Meet up with your crew, enjoy the sessions, and have fun. You done did it. 2. Networking and Meeting New People This is my primary goal for CYC this year. I'll fill you in on my plan. To keep from getting overwhelmed, I built a tracking spreadsheet for everyone I want to connect with. It might sound clinical, but it ensures no follow-up slips through the cracks. Here is my process: Pre-Conference Research: First, I reviewed the talk schedule and logged the speakers and session titles that caught my eye. Initial Outreach: I added columns for sending an intro message and a LinkedIn connection request. Then I sat down and message every single one of them. I had a bit of a template, but mostly just told people why their talk sounded interesting or exciting to me. It's hard to have writers block when you have a genuine interest in something. Some of them replied, some didn't, but I already feel like I have a foot in the door heading into the conference. During & After the Event: My spreadsheet includes columns for attending their talk, taking photos (speakers always need good photos of themselves on stage), posting on social media, and sending a post-event follow-up. Sounds like a lot? Because it is! Which is why its in a spreadsheet and not my pasta strainer brain. But it's about intent, respect, and appreciating someone else