Tech Events for Pros

Big #events are a unique opportunity to network with industry peers, to find new #opportunities and to catch up with some existing engagements, all in few days. Like #businessdevelopment on steroids. ????

These events use to be really crazy, since no matter how much you prepare for them, there are things just out of your control, such as other people’s agendas and unexpected queues or waiting times.

?After many years going to big tech events (MWC, CES, ISE, GITEX and now LEAP), there are some tips that can help to make the most out of it.

??Understanding the event

• If you are attending that particular event for the first time, has the event happened before? If so, there is probably info about that on the event webpage or there is a wrap up video on YouTube??. Watch it to have a taste on the event.
• Check who are the sponsors. This could give you a good idea about who wants this event to happen.

??Preparing for the event 

1. Check the speaker lineup, and shortlist who you want to meet.

2. Start contacting them if you are already connected or start reaching out at the earliest possible.

• Do some due diligence ahead of contacting them, your message must be tailored and relevant. ??
• Mention who you are and why is relevant for both of you to talk. Random introductions without a purpose (a good one) rarely work.
• Some may answer in advance, most of them will do it right before the event or even during.

3. Get familiar with the venue, the floor map, the coffee areas for casual meetings, the distances…. If that is difficult with the info available beforehand, take some time on the first day to get familiar with it. 

4. When setting up the meetings: 

• Don’t squeeze them too much, you can try to arrange them in the same place, but it is likely that you’ll have to walk a bit to get to the next one or your meeting will be slightly late.
• Try to get mobile or whatsapp numbers, people will rarely check their email during the event!.  
• Make it convenient. If you are meeting a speaker, find a time slightly after their session or panel. Before that, they may have to prepare or settle, and just right after that, there might be a lot of people trying to grab their attention. 
• If you don’t get to them, waiting them at the end of their panel might be your last resource, so make sure that it is factored into your agenda as well.

5. Check who is attending from your current pipeline and contact them to meet, maybe is the first face to face opportunity or maybe is your chance to discuss on some of the terms of the engagement.

6. Use the opportunity to catch up with old contacts that are also probably attending, keeping your network up-to-date is rewarding in many ways. Start pinging them in advance, it is a good opportunity to say hi anyway.

7. List the sessions you want to attend. Good events are an opportunity to listen from thought leaders about interesting topics, but don't get frustrated if you don't make it. Meetings and networking first. These sessions might be available later on demand. 

8. Find out and sign up for side events outside the main event. Companies tend to organize gatherings with additional and often interesting networking opportunities, in a closer, controlled environment. Consider organizing your own (it can be a dinner, breakfast, etc.)

??During the event

• Stay connected and up to date with your appointment updates and changes, ongoing sessions and panels and upcoming meetings.
• Note down the main points about the discussions, after the discussion. My preference is to do it right after the meeting or shortly after, otherwise I will forget about the important discussion points and follow ups. During the discussion, I try to focus on the discussion and not take too much notes, you are in a discussion, not in a lecture.
• DON'T BE SHY - It is your time to rock ??, so go for it ??. This applies to introducing yourself to people you don't know, approach important people that you want to meet or was not in your list initially or take pictures or selfies to get the event documented.
• Divide and conquer. If you are going there with your team, you can take care of different engagements in parallel, especially if the schedule is conflicted.
• At the end of each day review all what you did and what is coming up the next day.
• Look around as well, you can get ideas and additional connections.  

??After the event 

This is the time to finalize the business, score the goal.

• Revisit all the interactions you made and the next steps with them, most likely you’ll have to send some info to someone or get it from someone, the sooner the better.

As the event effect dilutes, so are your chances to keep the opportunities warm!. ??

This way you will surely build an interesting agenda and will make meaningful connections to take your #business forward.

#events #networking #business #tech #techevents #LEAP23