Conference Networking Tips

Whether you run a large firm or a sole proprietorship, contacts with key people in your field is an integral part of helping you achieve your business or personal career goals. There are many forums through which you can pick these invaluable contacts and conferences are one of the most strategic avenues in. However, the biggest problem that many of us face when it comes to Conference Networking is how to break the ice and make that first impression count. Considering the limited amount of time that you have during a conference, having a plan is what will eventually determine your success.

Conference Networking – Making First Encounters Last

The first thing you have to be careful about when it comes to Conference Networking is to avoid the attraction of only focusing on the high profile attendees. Even though there is nothing wrong with seeking to exchange business cards with this category of conference attendees, exclusively focusing on this group has two major drawbacks. First, there will be a lot of competition. Remember that if it is a conference in your area of business or employment, it is very likely that many attendees would have interests that directly compete with yours. The last thing you need is to get lost in the crowd and not seize the opportunity to make a lasting impression on any one person.

The second drawback for going for the elite attendees is opportunity cost; you end up missing out on people that are probably not as recognizable but who might just be the ones to get you that mega deal you need. In any case, every person and business of repute today started from somewhere and in many instances, they started small. You would have a lot more credibility and leeway with someone you formed an acquaintance with before they became successful as opposed to the limited influence and rapport you can wield on meeting someone who has already ‘made it.'

Another key Conference Networking habit you must practice is to resist the urge to grab your technology gizmos during conference breaks. We must admit that thanks to the amazing level of connectivity we have today, you can keep in touch with the office from your mobile handset, notebook and other powerful portable devices. However, pulling out your mobile phone to check your emails during breaks at the Conference Venue creates an impression of aloofness and being unapproachable. Instead, take advantage of the coffee and lunch breaks to break the ice. In fact, it is more likely that the most effective and successful relationships you make during the conference are the people you meet during the meal-related breaks.

Read more about Planning a Successful Conference

Looking for a Conference Venue in South Africa?

When looking for the ideal Conference Venue, South Africa's finest do not come any better than Idle Winds. What makes Idle Winds the perfect Conference Venue in South Africa is the balance that the facility has managed to achieve by being set in a country surrounding while being less than half an hour away from South Africa's business hub of Gauteng. Conference attendees have the serenity to lock out all else and focus on the meeting objectives while maintaining proximity to a real life business environment where they will eventually be required to execute and apply what they will learn.

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