Build Your Network and Maximize Your Conference Experience

September 17, 2025Wendy Terwelp Leave a comment

By Wendy Terwelp

The pressure to net a return on your conference investment can be daunting: so many great speakers, sessions, people, and vendors.

In the following few paragraphs, I’ll show you how to create meaningful business connections before, during, and after a conference to help you reach your goals and get the most from your conference experience while ensuring ROI for you, your team, and your boss.

Before: Plan Ahead

Creating a conference strategy and networking plan well in advance of the event will save you time and yield better results.

Set goals. Who do you wish to meet at this event? If you wish to meet speakers, name them. How many new people do you want to meet? Choose a specific number of new people to meet each day you’re at the conference. Connect with colleagues from past conferences a few weeks ahead of the event, so you can coordinate a meetup if they’re also attending.

Conference networking is a chance to learn from peers and experts and solidify relationships that can propel your career. Planning ensures you connect and meet your networking goals.

Get Social.

Review your social media accounts ahead of the conference. Ensure your professional photo on social channels is current and that your social media bios and contact information are up-to-date and on-brand for your goals.

Schedule posts in advance of the event so you remain visible and stay top of mind while traveling.

Follow the conference’s hashtag and participate in conversations in real-time, when you can. You can also connect with new people, as well as other colleagues, and set up a time to meet onsite.

I once planned a guest spot for my conference session using X/Twitter’s DM (direct message) feature. It’s a terrific networking tool when you’re not in the same state or the same country.

Are you speaking at the conference? Provide valuable and helpful tips about your session topic on your social media channels and include the conference hashtag. Are you a conference-going pro, but not speaking? Share tips about the conference city, not-to-miss speakers, and conference-related events such as Networking Night.

Be Selfie Ready. The city will be filled with conferencegoers, people you need to know, even when you’re grabbing breakfast or having a cocktail with friends after a day of training. Also, everyone’s got a camera on their smartphone. You want to look fab in those photos, whenever and wherever they’re taken, dress appropriately.

During: Make Connections that Count

At the event, with its numerous people, sessions, and activities, it can be overwhelming for many.

These tips below will help you network effectively during the event – and beyond.

Ask Open-ended Questions.

“Is this your first conference?” is not an open-ended question because the person you ask will either say “yes” or “no.” Instead, ask, “What was your favorite session thus far and why?” or “Whose session are you hoping to see most?” or “What’s one concept you learned and are bringing back to your employer?”

Asking open-ended questions will encourage more conversation and learning from other attendees beyond the sessions. At one conference, an attendee shared a great synopsis of a session he loved, including voice demonstrations of the participants. Not only was this recap fun, but I got key takeaways about a session I missed.

By asking open-ended questions and showing genuine interest in others, you can easily turn casual connections into new friendships and collaborations.

Get a Seat at the Table — with Strangers.

Whether you’re sitting in a session, having lunch, or waiting in line, you’ve got an opportunity to meet a new person and network.

To ensure you have a successful interaction, have a sound bite ready. When people ask, “So, what do you do?” you’ll be prepared and stand out with a benefit-driven statement.

Connect with a Business Card or via LinkedIn.

When you ask open-ended questions, you’ll uncover at least one unusual or interesting thing you learned about each person you meet. Jot it down on the back of his or her business card along with the date and session where you met.

No card? Connect on LinkedIn. Then later, message them with a thank you and a reminder of the session or networking event where you met.

This strategy will help you follow up with your new contacts after the show. By reviewing your notes, you’ll better recall each person, and you can use your memory jogger to refresh your new connection’s memory when you follow up.

Use Social Media During the Conference.

Join the conference conversation online. An easy start? The conference app tracks social media posts using the conference hashtag in real-time. Jump in!

Attend Conference Networking Events.

Many side events are happening during a conference run, including vendor-sponsored meetups, book signings, dinners, and social gatherings. There is always something to do at the end of the conference day. To find out the latest, check your social feeds for the conference hashtag as well as conference resources like the onsite information booth, registration swag bag, conference app, and expo vendors.

Choose one and bring a new friend or coworker with you. You’ve got your sound bite and some open-ended questions – you’re ready to rock.

After: Follow Up

Follow up. While some conferencegoers are no longer using business cards since COVID, many still are, and you’ll walk away with dozens of business cards when heading home. That’s where the memory jogger is useful. If you promised you’d send a person an article on the topic you discussed, do it!

Stay connected. I prefer connecting on LinkedIn at conferences because it’s easy to stay in touch (and top of mind). Plus, you can learn more about each person via their LinkedIn profile.

When you make a conference action plan, it allows you to be confident, comfortable, and ready to rock your conference experience. You’ve got this!

To help get the most from your next conference, get my FREE Conference Networking Action Plan.

Wendy Terwelp wrote the book on networking, “Rock Your Network®,” which includes even more networking tips! She writes, speaks, and coaches on networking, personal branding, and career development. Need a speaker for your next event? Let’s chat!

Rock Your Network®: Never Burn a Bridge

October 18, 2023October 29, 2023Wendy Terwelp 4 Comments

Nick picked up a copy of my book when I spoke to his MBA class. He wrote me an email about the action he took after reading “Rock Your Network® for Job Seekers” and his terrific result – a new dream gig!

“Wendy,

I found your book very helpful when trying to find a job that would make me happy and allow me to do something I was “into.” I went to LinkedIn and read my friend M’s profile. In her description, she said she “loved” her job. From there, I was very proactive. Instead of Facebook messaging, LinkedIn, or email, I just picked up the phone and asked M to tell me exactly what she did for a living and how she and her parents started this fundraising company.

[Editor’s note: Woo hoo! See how Nick researched online, then reached out to make that personal connection by picking up the phone and reconnecting with his friend?]

Our phone conversation lasted about a half hour, and from there, she said she’d put me in contact with a local rep. All of a sudden she called me back and had set up a ride-a-long. The ride-a-long went terrific, and from there her parents (the owners) of the company called me and flew me to Minnesota to see the operation and meet me. After two days, I went home with an offer. Within the following week, I accepted the offer…! After I accepted, they flew me in to meet the entire sales group and staff for the end-of-the-season sales meeting (4 hours) and to introduce me to the company!

It was a crazy journey getting this job, but I CAN’T wait to start. I basically just used “networking” as the sole reason I got this job. I kept in touch with an old friend that I was really close with but didn’t see often. That ended up being enough and proved you should never burn a bridge. They also liked that I sought out M, NOT asking for a job, but asking to learn about what they do. From there I acted the part, whether it be dressing for the part when they picked me up from the airport to just being very proactive throughout this process. It’s crazy like you said in your book, how many jobs come from networking, compared to online postings. I guess I just want to say thanks because your book just gave me the confidence to not be afraid to pursue something that I believed in for a career!”

YEAH! You rock Nick! Nick wanted me to share his networking story with everyone – and he’ll be in the next edition of my book, Rock Your Network®. The bold items are my edits.

Here are the exact steps Nick took to land his new gig:

1. Reviewed his LinkedIn connections and read the profiles to identify people with interesting jobs he’d like to learn more about. (Research)

2. Picked up the phone! And reconnected personally. (Reach out)

3. Asked about his friend’s career to learn more about it. He did NOT ask for a job.

4. Shared common interests. This led to the additional connection with a local sales rep.

5. Took action – went on the ride-along and, as he said, “dressed the part.” He acted as if he already had the gig.

6. Never burned a bridge. Maintained relationships.

7. Was a go-getter. Nick took action and initiative, which got him results: a NEW JOB.

Call to action: Which of Nick’s steps can you take right now? Go for it – and share your story! I’d love to have your story in the next edition of my book, like Nick. Let’s roll!

Want more networking tips? Grab a copy of Rock Your Network®.

Wendy Terwelp, author of Rock Your Network®, writes, speaks, and coaches on career management, networking, social media, and personal branding. Need a speaker for your association, company, or private coaching to rock your career? Let’s talk!

How to Remember Names

August 20, 2021October 4, 2021Wendy Terwelp 2 Comments

One of your favorite tunes just popped up on your music stream.

You’re singing along loudly. But you cannot for the life of you remember who sings that song, and it is driving you nuts.

All you’re trying to recall is a name.

The same thing can happen at networking events and when networking online. Group Zoom or breakout rooms anyone?

You remember her face, you think, but the name escapes you. And she is not wearing a name tag. Or you met through a Zoom event only this person had no video and shared only their first name on the screen. Shoot!

What s in a name? It’s the one word that’s music to your listener’s ears. If you’re great with faces but have a tough time remembering names. Here are some steps you can take to help make remembering names easier for you:

Introduce yourself first.

Use your first and last name. The person you re connecting with is probably having a tough time remembering your name too. Introducing yourself first will put him or her at ease.

Listen for, and repeat, the name.

You’ve given him your name, now it’s time to remember his. Listen for it. The reason most of us immediately forget other’s names is that we weren’t really paying attention in the first place.

For example, “Hi! I’m Wendy Terwelp, nice to meet you. And you are?”

“I’m Bob Smith, likewise,” says Bob.

Repeat the name immediately. Repeat it aloud if you are meeting someone, “Bob Smith? Great! What brings you to this event, Bob?”

Do not over-repeat. I once went to a networking event, and someone must have heard this tip. I think he said my name at least three or four times in a short amount of time.

It sounded like this, “Wendy, great to meet you Wendy. How s everything going, Wendy?”

I thought to myself, “Now that was a bit over the top.”

If you’re in a meeting where everyone is introducing themselves, repeat the name to yourself silently.

Anchor the name by attaching a physical action.

A firm handshake is perfect if the interaction is personal, but if you are simply listening to a round of introductions, spell out the person’s name with the forefinger of your writing hand in the palm of your other hand as you mentally repeat the name to yourself.

During meetings, I m a big note taker, so I’ll often write down people’s names if I am at a group meeting or participating in a group Zoom call or webcast. Writing the name helps me remember, plus I’ll make a note about the person, what they do (if it’s mentioned), what company they work for, and so on. This helps me reconnect with them later.

“Bob, great to see you again. How s everything going for you at ACME?”

Review all the names.

Mentally recall each new person during introductions. If there are more than 20 people, keep reviewing the most recent 20 people’s names as the introductions continue. If you are interacting with one person, use that person’s name several times, but don t be too obvious.

Another technique in reviewing a person’s name is to introduce that person to others.

For example, “Bob, have you met Janet? Janet, this is Bob Smith.”

Associate the names.

Alliteration is especially helpful for large groups or if more than one person has the same first name. Barbara in blue, Mary the mortgage broker, or Frank the financial planner can help you remember who is who.

I’ve also associated a person’s name with someone famous, “Oh Justin, like Justin Timberlake? Great to meet you.” “Ruth, like notorious RBG? Cool. Great to meet you.”

During your brief conversation you may discover interesting facts. Put this on the back of the person’s business card. For example, Mary speaks seven languages. Ramona used to be a professional juggler!

If you don’t get a business card or this is an online networking event, you can make a note on a notepad (writing helps with retention) or in your smartphone’s notepad section. You can also connect later via LinkedIn and mention what you learned in your personalized invitation to connect.

“Hi Jean, great to meet you at the BBB online networking event today! Fun to hear about your business and interest in live music concerts. Let’s connect here on LinkedIn and keep the conversation going.”

Follow up.

If you make promises to others during your networking event or meeting it is important to follow up promptly. If you promised to send them an article on their topic of interest, jot that down on their business card or in your notes, then do it the next day.

Coaching Challenge:

Time to test out your name recall techniques. Schedule your next networking event or Zoom group meeting and use the tips to ensure you remember attendees’ names for fast and easy follow up.

Share in the comments! What’s one of your best tips for remembering names?

Five Moves to Rock Your Network® Online

September 18, 2018May 28, 2019Wendy Terwelp Leave a comment

Editor’s note: updated May 2019

How do you leverage social media to network effectively and stay top of mind? Check out these five rock star moves to get connected, get known, and make your network thrive:

1. Pick Three: With so many social media networks to choose from, I recommend picking three so you can manage them well. For career and business development, I recommend: LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook. As of 2019, LinkedIn has more than 610 million members, Twitter has more than 326 million users, and Facebook topped 2.38 billion.

2. Create a branded bio: Tell a story in your social networking bios. Let your personality pop. Don’t regurgitate your resume information or company bio. Know that chemistry helps you land and KEEP new clients and jobs. Likability counts, be interesting.

3. Know what you want: When you start networking online, it’s important to know what you want from the activity. If you want new clients, be sure your profile is on brand, up to date, professional, personal, and communicates your value and scope of practice. Have a professional, current headshot. For #LinkedIn, add a custom background image or color as well.

4. Join a group: Know that in order to make the most of an online group, you’ve got to take an active role. If you’ve got a business, join groups where your ideal clients will be, including niche and specialty groups. For job seekers, find out where your ideal employers hang out and join those groups. People like to do business with those having similar values, backgrounds, and experiences.

5. Be relevant and add value: Social networking gives you a chance to demonstrate your thought leadership and set yourself apart from your competition. As an executive and leader in your profession, it is even more critical to demonstrate your expertise online.

Take Action: Review your current social networks and identify at least three action items from the above list you can implement immediately. Schedule time to effectively manage your online network and communicate with your contacts regularly. It only takes minutes a day to fuel your network and fire it up!™ That way, your network is there for you when you need it.

Grab your free social media action plan here!

What’s that thing you do? ONE thing.

March 23, 2018March 23, 2018Wendy Terwelp Leave a comment

You’re at a networking event… meeting… conference… cocktail party… and it happens.

“So, what do you do?” the networker asks you.

“Um, well I’m a consultant / L&D pro / social media expert…” you say.

Slash happens. And I get it. You have a lot to offer and a lot of interests. When you’re at an event, all those slash titles can be hard for one person to take in. A more effective approach, decide how you wish to be known and communicate that one thing – not everything. It’s confusing to the listener.

What’s the one thing you wish to be known for and and your best, most relevant story, that demonstrates your expertise to the audience who needs to know about you?

When I coach my clients on effective networking, we work hard on creating a dynamic brand-driven sound bite that gets attention, without overwhelming the listener.

Picking one thing can be tough, but it’s important. As one of my client’s said, working through the exercise, “It’s like my whole career – skills, experience, knowledge is summed up in this one project. It just doesn’t feel right.”

That may be true, however, in networking, and asking your friends, etc. “who do they know, who…” it is important to be clear and focused. Sharing ONE story helps people get an idea of what you can do for someone. It also helps them easily share your story with their connections. And your network becomes your personal sales force.

Challenge: Create your sound bite. Be focused. Share a benefit-driven story that demonstrates your expertise. Tell how your network can help you best.

Want step-by-step help to network like a rock star? Check out my book, Rock Your Network® and rebuild your network in 5 minutes a day online or off.

© 2018 Wendy Terwelp | Wendy Terwelp speaks about social networking, F2F networking, personal branding, and career development. Want raving fans, referrals, and even happier, more engaged employees? Book her here: https://www.knocks.com/speaking/

Rock Your Career®

Are you ready for your next big gig?®

Networking

How to Remember Names