Networking at events is a crucial activity for companies and professionals who want to expand their contact network and create new business opportunities.

In particular, physical events — such as trade shows, conferences, and conventions — offer the invaluable opportunity to meet other professionals in person, exchange ideas, and build meaningful connections.

To make networking on physical events truly effective, it’s important to be prepared and plan a strategy in advance. Here are five practical tips to help you make the most out of your next in-person event.

1. Prepare a List of People You Want to Meet

Before the event begins, clearly define your goals. Once you know what you want to achieve, create a list of people you’d like to meet — such as potential clients, partners, suppliers, or industry peers.

Build a detailed schedule to stay organized and make the most of your time. If possible, reach out to key professionals before the event via email or LinkedIn to arrange meetings in advance.

If the event provides an event app, use it to connect with attendees beforehand. Most event platforms include integrated agendas and matchmaking tools that make it easier to identify and contact relevant participants even before you arrive.

2. Join Dedicated Networking Sessions

Many physical events feature networking sessions such as cocktail parties, dinners, or informal meetups.

Participating in these side events allows you to meet people in a more relaxed setting, making conversations feel more natural and less formal.

These sessions are perfect opportunities to share ideas, exchange experiences, and get to know other professionals in your field — often leading to collaborations that might not happen during the main sessions.

3. Use Networking Apps to Connect Before and After the Event

As mentioned earlier, networking doesn’t have to start (or end) at the venue. You can begin connecting before the eventthrough social media or — even better — through the official event app.

By connecting early, you can identify potential contacts, start a conversation, and schedule meetings in advance.

Event networking apps also make it easy to maintain relationships after the event, helping you stay in touch and follow up with leads.

Don’t forget to optimize your profile with accurate and engaging information — a complete profile attracts more attention and increases your chances of meaningful connections.

4. Don’t Forget Your Business Cards (Digital or Physical)

Whether traditional paper business cards or QR codes stored on your phone, having an easy way to share your contact details is essential.

Event apps often allow users to exchange digital business cards, avoiding the common problems of physical cards — running out, losing them, or forgetting who gave them to you.

Digital cards are faster, more sustainable, and perfectly aligned with the modern way of networking at physical events.

5. Follow Up Promptly

You’ve met interesting people who could be valuable for your business — now it’s time to turn those first conversations into long-term relationships.

Use the event platform or LinkedIn to continue your discussions. For example, you can share a link to the article you mentioned during your chat or send details about a product you discussed.

Ideally, do your follow-up within 24–48 hours after the event to stay fresh in people’s minds and reinforce the connection.

Networking on Physical Events: The Role of Technology

Networking on physical events is one of the most effective ways to expand your professional network and discover new business opportunities.

Today, technology plays a key role in this process. Event platforms such as LetzFair make it much easier to connect with visitors, exhibitors, and speakers.

Artificial Intelligence can even suggest professionals with similar interests and backgrounds, helping you find the most relevant people to connect with — and making networking more targeted and efficient than ever.

Conclusion

By following these five tips, you’ll be able to maximize your networking opportunities at physical events, create valuable new relationships, and strengthen your career or business.

In-person connections remain one of the most powerful tools for growth — and when supported by digital technology, networking on physical events becomes even more effective, measurable, and rewarding.