How to Stand Out at Networking Events in 2026 (Tested Tips)

George El-Hage 🔗 LinkedIn

Founder, Wave Connect | 100+ conferences and networking events since 2019

I've attended over 100 conferences, trade shows, and networking events since founding Wave Connect in 2020. These tips come from real conversations, real mistakes, and the patterns I've noticed in the people who actually get remembered.

How to stand out at networking events is something most people overthink. They assume you need to be the loudest person in the room, hand out the most cards, or deliver the perfect elevator pitch. None of that matters as much as you'd think.

I've been to well over 100 conferences, expos, and meetups since 2019 - everything from giant CES floors to small founder dinners. The people who stand out aren't the ones working the room. They're the ones who show up prepared, have real conversations, and make it effortless for you to stay in touch with them. In this guide, I'll walk you through what actually works based on my own experience as a digital business card founder who networks for a living.

Why Most People Blend In at Networking Events (And How to Fix It)

Most people blend in at networking events because they show up without a plan and rely on the same generic approach as everyone else. They walk in cold, default to "So, what do you do?", exchange a paper card, and never follow up. The result? They're forgettable. Not because they're boring people, but because they're doing the exact same thing as the other 200 people in the room.

I used to be that person. At one of my first tech conferences in 2019, I handed out maybe 40 paper business cards over two days. Know how many follow-ups I got? Two. And one was someone trying to sell me something. 😬

The problem wasn't the event. The problem was me. I wasn't being intentional about who I wanted to meet, what I wanted to say, or how I'd stay connected afterward. Once I fixed those three things, everything changed.

Here's how to fix each one.

Before the Event: Preparation That Pays Off

The most effective networkers do their homework before they arrive. Spending 20-30 minutes researching speakers, attendees, and the event schedule gives you specific people to seek out and real things to talk about. It transforms you from "random person at a conference" to "someone who came prepared."

Research the speakers and attendees

Most events publish their speaker list, and many share attendee lists or have event apps. Look through them. Pick 5-10 people you'd genuinely like to meet and learn something about them - what they're working on, what they've posted recently, any shared connections.

This isn't about stalking people. It's about having context so you can say "I saw your talk was about X - I'm dealing with something similar" instead of "So... what do you do?"

Set a realistic goal

Don't try to meet 50 people. That's a recipe for shallow conversations nobody remembers. I aim for 5-8 quality conversations per event. That's it. If I leave with 5 people I'd genuinely want to talk to again, that's a great event.

Prepare your tools

Make sure your contact sharing is sorted before you walk in the door. Is your digital business card updated with your current role, links, and photo? Is your phone charged? Do you have your NFC card or QR code ready to go? You don't want to be fumbling with settings while someone waits.

Your First Impression: The 30-Second Window

You have about 30 seconds to make someone decide whether they want to keep talking to you, and most of that impression comes from energy and body language, not your words. A genuine smile, eye contact, and open posture do more than the cleverest opening line. People decide if you're approachable before you even speak.

Body language basics

This sounds obvious, but go to any networking event and watch how many people are staring at their phones, crossing their arms, or hovering in corners. Don't be that person. Stand where people can see you. Keep your hands visible (not jammed in your pockets). Make eye contact when someone approaches.

Here's a trick that's worked well for me: look for someone standing alone. They're almost always happy someone came over. You're doing them a favor by starting the conversation, and they'll remember you for it.

Your opening line doesn't need to be clever

Forget about crafting the perfect intro. The best openers are simple and genuine:

• "Hey, I'm George - what brought you to this event?"
• "Have you caught any good sessions today?"
• "This is my first time at [event name] - have you been before?"

That's it. No elevator pitch needed in the first 30 seconds. Just be a human being. For more openers that actually work, check out our list of speed networking questions - many of them work great at regular events too.

Conversation Techniques That Make You Memorable

The people who are remembered most at networking events are the ones who listen more than they talk, ask thoughtful questions, and offer genuine value. It's counterintuitive - you'd think standing out means talking about yourself. It doesn't. The person who asked the best questions and genuinely listened is the one you remember at the end of the night.

Lead with curiosity, not your resume

Instead of launching into what you do, ask about them first. And not just "What do you do?" - go deeper:

• "What are you most excited about working on right now?"
• "What's a challenge you're trying to figure out?"
• "How did you get into [their field]?"

People love talking about what excites them. Let them. This also naturally leads to stronger personal branding - when you're known as someone who genuinely cares about others, your reputation grows organically.

Be a connector

One of the most powerful things you can do at any networking event is connect other people. If you meet someone who's solving a problem, and you met someone earlier who has the answer - make the introduction. Right there. In person.

"Hey, you need to meet Sarah - she was just telling me about exactly what you're working on."

Now both of them remember you. You just became the most valuable person in the room without pitching a single thing.

Know when to exit gracefully

This is something nobody talks about. You don't need to spend 30 minutes with every person. A great 5-minute conversation beats a forced 20-minute one. When the conversation reaches a natural pause, say something like:

"It was really great talking with you - let me share my contact info before I forget, and I'll reach out next week about [specific thing you discussed]."

Clean. Professional. Memorable.

The Secret Weapon: How You Share Your Contact Info Matters

How you share your contact information is one of the biggest overlooked factors in standing out at networking events. Most people either fumble for a paper card (or don't have one), awkwardly spell out their email, or say "find me on LinkedIn" - which almost never happens. The moment of exchanging info is actually a moment to make an impression.

I've seen this play out hundreds of times. Someone has a great conversation, then the exchange part falls flat. They hand over a crumpled card from their wallet. Or they try to type each other's info into their phones - slow, awkward, and prone to typos.

Here's what I do instead. I pull up my digital business card and let them tap my phone or scan my QR code. Their phone opens my profile instantly - name, title, links, everything - and they can save my contact in one tap. No app required on their end. The whole thing takes about 3 seconds.

Every single time, the reaction is the same: "Oh, that's cool - how do I get one of those?" Now we're having a second conversation. And they definitely remember me.

Think about what this signals. You're organized. You're current. You're making it easy for the other person. And most importantly - your contact info is actually saved on their phone instead of sitting in a pocket where it'll get tossed in a drawer and forgotten. For a deeper look at all the ways to share contact info, here's our guide on sharing a digital business card.

After the Event: Turning Connections Into Relationships

The real networking happens after the event ends - your follow-up within 24-48 hours is what separates a forgettable encounter from a lasting professional relationship. Most people drop the ball here. They collect a stack of cards, leave the event feeling productive, and then never reach out. Don't be that person.

Follow up within 24-48 hours

The window matters. After 48 hours, people start forgetting the details of who they met. Send a quick message the next day - email, LinkedIn, or even a text if you exchanged numbers. The key is personalization.

Don't send: "Great meeting you at [event]. Let's stay in touch!"

Send instead: "Hey [name], it was great chatting about [specific topic] at [event] yesterday. I've been thinking about what you said about [their challenge] - I actually came across [resource/idea] that might help. Would love to continue the conversation."

See the difference? One is generic and forgettable. The other shows you were actually listening. For a complete follow-up playbook, read our guide on how to follow up after an event.

Add value in your follow-up

The best follow-ups include something useful - an article related to what you discussed, an intro to someone they should know, a tool they mentioned wanting to try. Give before you ask. This is how you build a real network instead of just a contact list.

Play the long game

Not every connection turns into something immediately. That's fine. Add them on LinkedIn, engage with their content occasionally, and check in every few months. Research shows that networking drives career growth over years, not days. Some of my best business relationships started as random conference conversations that took 6-12 months to develop into anything concrete.