An introvert’s guide to attending a tech conference

There’s no getting around it: LEAP is busy. With over 200,000 attendees, the flow of conversation is constant. And for the more introverted among us, the idea of being at an event for several days with loads to see and do, and a lot of people to meet, can feel a bit overwhelming. This is true of any major tech conference – they’re fast-paced environments where connections are made quickly. 

We don’t want you to miss out on valuable networking opportunities and immense inspiration because you’re not someone who’s not 100% at home in busy environments. And if you’re energised by alone time and drained by being in a crowd, we know you’re not the only one: the tech industry is full of people who identify as introverts, and find networking a bit daunting. 

Increasingly, the tech industry is recognising the quiet power of introverted leaders. So some of the introverted talent on the LEAP team have put this guide together for you – in the hope that they can give you the confidence to step outside your comfort zone and embrace the opportunities that come with vibrant tech industry events. 

The key takeaway? LEAP welcomes diverse minds, and you are free to explore the event at your own pace. We want you to be YOU – and there are more spaces than you might think for networking to happen without the noise. 

1. Prioritise your experience, and pace yourself 

Use the event agenda ahead of time to decide which keynotes, exhibitions, workshops and matchmaking sessions are most important to you. And then give yourself permission not to do everything: as long as you’re there for the moments that are most important to you, it’s OK to take plenty of downtime in between. 

Similarly, figure out what your priorities are in terms of what you want to get out of your attendance at the event. Do you want to gather new information? Meet potential partners? Network with mentors or future clients? Are you looking for inspiration, investors, or is your purpose to get your business or product in front of an engaged audience?

Getting clear on your priorities allows you to focus, and gives you the space to say ‘no’ to experiences that don’t align with the reasons you’re at the event. 

2. Arrive a day or two early so you can settle in 

Flying into a new city and heading straight out to a busy event when you’re tired and disoriented is a lot to handle. If you can, we highly recommend arriving a day or two before the event so you can rest, settle in, and have some quiet time (in a beautiful hotel, ideally with a spa) to centre yourself. 

If you can’t arrive early, then make sure you factor in some space in your schedule to get grounded before you immerse yourself in the busyness. For example, instead of agreeing to go to a networking dinner the evening you arrive, you could opt to keep your schedule clear and get an early night instead. 

3. Identify spaces both inside and outside the exhibition venue where you can recharge

When you’re feeling overwhelmed, the last thing you want is to be wandering through a busy conference venue searching for a quiet corner to take a breath. Use the exhibition map to mark spots that are likely to be quieter – so you know which direction to go when you need some downtime. 

Book yourself a hotel within easy reach of the venue, too. That way, you can head back to chill out in your own accommodation during the day, and return to the event when you’re feeling recharged. 

4. If you’re nervous, find one or two ‘safe’ people – and tell them

We know it’s not easy to open up about feeling nervous – but if you’re heading to an event and feeling daunted, find out if there’s anyone you can tell. This might be colleagues, or people you’ve met before who will also be going. 

The simple act of saying “I’m not feeling totally confident” to a friendly face, and knowing they’re at the venue too, can ease the pressure and make you feel better. 

At the same time, we’ll tell you this: most people don’t admit when they’re nervous, but almost everyone who attends a large-scale event will feel uncomfortable or anxious about some aspect of it. You’re not strange for feeling that way, and you’re definitely not alone. 

5. Ease yourself into conversations by asking about the other person’s work

Talking about yourself can feel a bit nerve-wracking sometimes. If you’re dreading the process of sharing your work or life stories with strangers, ease yourself into conversations with new people by asking lots of questions. 

You could spend some time before the event coming up with a range of work-related questions you could pose to new acquaintances – and by focusing on them to begin with, you can allow your nervous system to regulate and start to feel calmer and more comfortable. 

This isn’t to say you shouldn’t talk about yourself. You absolutely should – when you feel ready. But if it feels difficult, remember that focusing on others is a powerful tool for networking; they’ll feel listened to, they’ll appreciate your attention, and they’ll remember you as someone who was genuinely interested in them. It’s a good way to build new relationships. 

6. Have a plan for collecting contact details so you can strengthen relationships after the event

If you’re at a tech conference to build your network, you might feel pressure to strike up profound connections with everyone right away. But you don’t need to do that – not at all. 

Instead, make a plan for how you’ll collect contact details, and give yourself permission to keep conversations light. A brief, warm interaction followed by the exchange of contact information is a brilliant start. 

Then after the event, you can reach out to those people in your own time; recalling the interaction you had and using it to build a stronger connection. 

Forget FOMO, and do what works for you

An event like LEAP is packed with possible experiences. But that doesn’t mean you have to be at every single one of them. 

Let go of the fear of missing out. Instead, make the event work for you. Choose where to spend your energy and don’t worry about what you might be missing. 

Attending a tech conference is a positive, transformative, powerful opportunity for your business and your career. But that doesn’t mean you have to do everything, meet everyone, and be everywhere. Go at your own pace – and you’ll reap the rewards.