Networking That Works: How to Make Meaningful Connections at Events

Let’s be honest — for many of us, networking can feel a bit awkward. But when done well, it’s one of the most valuable parts of attending events and conferences. Whether you're going solo or with colleagues, the chance to meet new people, share ideas, and open doors is huge. Here’s how to make the most of it — before, during, and after the event.

Before the Event: Set Yourself Up for Success

🔹 Do your homework
Check the attendee list, speaker lineup, or exhibitor list if it’s available. Identify a few people or companies you’d love to speak to — having a rough plan helps ease nerves and gives you purpose.

🔹 Update your LinkedIn profile
Make sure it reflects who you are and what you do. If you make a great connection, chances are they’ll check you out online soon after.

🔹 Reach out early
If there’s someone you’re keen to meet, drop them a message beforehand. A simple “Looking forward to connecting at the Detroit Summit” can break the ice and increase the likelihood of a meaningful exchange 

🔹 Set your intention
Are you looking for collaboration opportunities? Career insight? Industry trends? Knowing what you want to get out of the event helps guide who you speak to — and how you show up.

During the Event: Be Present, Not Just Busy

🔹 Quality over quantity
You don’t need to meet everyone. A few meaningful conversations will have far more impact than a long list of names you barely remember.

🔹 Be curious
Ask questions, listen actively, and follow the conversation wherever it leads — don’t feel like you need to ‘sell’ yourself.

🔹 Have your intro ready
A short, clear intro about who you are and what you're working on goes a long way. Skip the job title overload — focus on something relatable and human.

🔹 Use breaks wisely
Lunches, coffee queues, and transitions between sessions are great opportunities for informal conversation — often where the best chats happen.

After the Event: Don’t Let It Go Cold

🔹 Follow up
Send a short message or LinkedIn connection request within a few days. Mention something specific from your chat to jog their memory and keep the momentum going.

🔹 Share your experience
Posting about the event (and tagging people you met) is a great way to stay visible, say thank you, and signal you're someone worth connecting with.

🔹 Add value
If you promised to share an article, introduce someone, or follow up — do it. These small actions build trust and can lead to opportunities down the line.

Final Thought: The Power of Connection

Networking isn’t about collecting contacts — it’s about building relationships. Whether it’s a quick chat over coffee or a conversation that sparks something bigger, the real value lies in genuine connection.

Because when events end and the sessions are over, it’s the people you’ve met — and the relationships you’ve started — that stay with you. That’s the real power of connection.

“Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success.”
— Henry Ford

Ready to put your networking into practice?

There’s no better place to start than one of our global summits.

Join us in Detroit, Europe, or Mexico and connect with hundreds of professionals from across the automotive industry.
Whether you're looking to build relationships, share insights, or explore new opportunities — this is your moment to show up, connect meaningfully, and grow your network.

👉 Explore our upcoming events and find your next connection!