The idea of networking at a large, national conference can certainly seem daunting, but it does not have to be. To help you make a great impres­sion, we have compiled 15 tips for how to network effectively at a con­ference. Give them a try at your next conference! 

Getting Ready

1. Dress to impress. Conferences often have programming scheduled from early morning to late evening. Appro­priate attire should keep you looking professional through the whole day. When packing, plan outfits (with layers) for each day, and bring a back-up outfit or two in case something unexpected happens.

2. Think about the bag you will bring around with you at the conference. Toss in some breath mints, floss, and a travel comb or brush to keep you feel­ing and looking fresh all day. If you are wearing heels, consider adding a pair of flats in case you find yourself trekking a long way. Anyone wearing new shoes should bring Band-Aids in case of blisters.

3. Have some business cards made, either through your school or on your own. Include your name, institution, e-mail address, and a phone number. Additions can include your LinkedIn site URL, your Twitter handle, a short description of your research, or all three. Keep your cards in a business card case so that they are still crisp when you hand them out.

4. Evaluate your personal Internet brand. Take a look at your various social media accounts and make sure everything is professional and up-to-date. Customize the Web address of your LinkedIn account.

5. Plan how you will spend your time. In addition to attending talks and ses­sions, consider adding several relevant cocktail hours and networking recep­tions to your schedule. These events are often full of people wanting to talk to graduate students and postdocs. Also, keep some open time in your sched­ule to allow for causal networking (in the lobby, on the walk to the conference center, etc.). 

At the Conference

6. Say hello, be friendly, and let the conversation flow naturally. If you can open with a connection, it will bring a great personal touch to the conversa­tion. For example: “Hi Professor Smith, I’m Annabelle. I did undergrad research with your post­doc Louis back when he was a gradu­ate student at Santa Barbara. It is so great to meet you!”

7. Listen. Ask questions. Listen. Ef­fective networking is about building relationships. Attentive listening opens doors for natural connections to be made, and these connections are what take your conversation from mundane to memorable. Refrain from dominat­ing the conversation, and express true interest in the other person. Avoid approaching conversations with the expectation that the other person can, will, or should do something for you. It is very easy to tell when a conversation is genuine and when it is not. Keep eye contact, unfold your arms, and ignore distractions around you.

8. Remember what you talked about. Soon after you part ways, find a quick moment to write down a tidbit from your conversation. This could be something about the person, an idea for a future collaboration, or a follow-up question to ask later. Write this in a note­book that will go home with you, or on the back of the business card, but avoid using conference materials that may get tossed in the trash. (We’ll come back to how to use this tidbit later!)

9. Cross paths again. If an earlier conversation went really well, and you would like to make a long-term impres­sion, think of a way to bump into the person again during the conference. If it works as you chat, you can casually approach a get-together during your conversation. For example, ask they would be willing to attend a net­working hour that evening, or extend an invitation to see your talk or poster the next day. If your first offer does not get a good response, avoid pushing further, as this may come across as too forward. Always smile and say hello when you see the individual later during the con­ference, even if you are just passing.

10. Be prompt, patient, and respectful. Arrive a few minutes early. This will set you apart and give you quality time to talk with other attendees before the presentation or event. When waiting to introduce yourself to people, be patient and polite. Stand a few feet away, make brief eye contact so that they know you are hoping to talk to them, and look content to wait until they are done talking with who­ever they are with. Be respectful of their time, as well as of the time of others who would like to meet them. If the conversation is going well, and you would like more time to chat, ask to follow up later.

11. Practice a courteous way to excuse yourself. Repeat your name, say thank you for the person’s time, and give him or her your business card. Do not fumble for your business card at this point; prepare in advance, and have it in an easy spot for offering it smoothly.

The Close

12. Follow up! A day or two after you meet (not longer than a week), e-mail the people you met. Thank them for their time and mention something about the tidbits that you wrote down. Connect on sites like LinkedIn and Twitter.

13. Try to not to reap any benefits from your new network members right away. As with any relationship, you do not want to strain those founded through networking at the beginning. Relationships built over time are often the most fruitful.

14. Come up with a reason to touch base again a few months later. For example, if you know you will both be attending another conference, e-mail a few weeks ahead of time. You might say something like: “Dear Dr. Wilken, If you are still planning to attend the conference this month in Dallas, I would love to invite you to my talk Tuesday morning. It covers a lot of what we discussed last March at the National ACS Meeting. Otherwise, I look forward to running into you, perhaps at the networking reception! Kind regards, Sammi”.

If you are in charge of a committee in your department, perhaps you could invite the individual as a panel speaker in the future. If you are involved with your local ACS chapter, you could check into hosting them at a regional meeting. Be creative!

15. Be a good supporter. Too often we approach networking as a self-promotion tactic. However, it is good to consider the advancement of the other party, too. Congratulate the people in your network on new job positions, or send them a quick e-mail when you see their work mentioned in an editorial somewhere. Praise is always welcome, and it is a great way to start a conversation.