This year, English For IT™ was at IT Arena — the leading tech conference in Ukraine, packed with (= filled with) brilliant speakers, exciting side events, and countless networking opportunities.

We went to get inspired by cutting-edge tech culture, connect with like-minded professionals, and share our mission with the tech community.

We came back with new contacts, fresh ideas, and a few lessons on what really works when you’re in the middle of the conference buzz.

Here are the top 10 things you can do to make the most of your conference experience.

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1. Start Networking Before You Arrive

Don’t wait until you’re physically at the venue to make connections. A week or so before the event, post about it on LinkedIn. Share what you’re excited about, tag the organizers, and use the event hashtag if there is one.

This does two things:

• Puts you on the radar (= makes you noticeable) of other attendees.
• Opens the door for engagement from people who comment on your post.

Once the conversation has started in public, you can move it into DMs to set up a coffee, lunch, or quick hallway chat during the event.

Example post:

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2. Lock in Meetings Early

Once you’re at the conference, follow up with those people.

Send a quick message to agree on when and where to meet — coffee breaks, lunch spots, or even just before a panel. The clearer the plan, the less likely you are to miss each other.

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3. Use Everyday Spaces

Networking doesn’t just happen in meeting rooms.

Some of the best conversations spark (= start) in coffee lines, by company stands, or even while waiting for a taxi home. Put yourself in busy spots and stay open to small talk — it often turns into meaningful connections.

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4. Look Beyond the Official Agenda

It’s a mistake to think networking only happens “during business hours.” Many of the most memorable encounters (= meetings) happen at afterparties, side events, or even on the way to the venue. Keep your eyes and your schedule open for unofficial meetups. Keep your schedule flexible so you can say yes to these opportunities.

Which leads us to the next tip.

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5. Seek Out Side Events

Most big conferences have unofficial gatherings — meetups, dinners, or themed networking sessions. They’re smaller, more relaxed, and often better for making real connections. If the topic speaks to you, go — it’s worth it.

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6. Be Strategic About Talks

If your goal is networking, don’t feel pressured to attend every single talk. Pick 1–2 sessions that really matter to you, then use the rest of the time for conversations. Sitting through back-to-back panels may just drain (= take away) your energy and keep you from meeting people.

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7. Craft Your Elevator Pitch

Be ready to introduce yourself in 20–30 seconds. But don’t just state your job title — explain what you actually do and the value it brings.

Instead of:
“I’m a product manager.”

Try:
“I help tech teams turn complex ideas into multi-million SaaS products.”

This makes you more memorable and shows the impact of your work.

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8. Build Confidence in Your Delivery

How you say something often matters more than what you say. Practice your pitch, your body language, and even your handshake.

If you struggle with self-presentation, working with a coach can make a huge difference. (At English for IT™, for example, we offer 1–1 coaching sessions to help professionals with exactly this skill.)

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9. Polish Your Networking Skills

Networking is a skill you can practice. If you get nervous about starting conversations, role-play possible scenarios with a colleague or even attend a workshop beforehand.

Tip: If you’re a manager, consider booking a workshop for your team before sending them to a big industry conference. The confidence and clarity they gain will pay off in stronger connections and better results.

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10. Define Your Goal

Finally, don’t forget why you’re there. Are you hoping to find potential clients, learn about trends, or just expand your circle?

Set a clear goal and, if it makes sense, a measurable KPI (e.g., “I want to walk away with 10 new contacts”). Combine that with a genuine curiosity about people, and your networking will feel natural, not forced.

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Conferences are full of opportunities and ideas — but what you get out of them depends on the skills you bring with you.

At English For IT™, we help professionals build these essential soft skills that support every step of their career journey.

Learn more about our language and soft skills programs.