Let’s get straight to the point - attending an event is an investment. And just like any investment, you need a return. Showing up and going through the motions? That’s not ROI. ROI is walking out of that event with new connections, killer insights, and actionable strategies that make your time and money worth it.

But here’s the truth: most people blow it. They get overwhelmed by the crowd, the sessions, and the small talk. They go back to their home/ hotel with practically nothing. Just feeling exhausted. Most don't have anything real to show for it. You don’t want to be that person.

Get your head right before you Walk In

Before you even think about walking into the venue, you need to get your mindset right. You’re not there to just attend an event. You’re there to extract value. You need to walk in like you own the room, even if deep down you feel like an imposter. Act like a hunter - no one’s going to hand you value on a silver platter. You’ve got to hunt for it.

Break the ice like a pro

Let’s talk about the real elephant in the room - networking is awkward. You know it. I know it. Standing in a crowded space with hundreds of people you don’t know, figuring out how to start a conversation without looking like a creep - it’s weird. But that’s where the magic happens. if you’re not willing to push through the discomfort and get proactive, you’re wasting your time. You’re not there to hang out by the snacks or linger in the corner. You’re there to make things happen. So here’s the brutal truth: you’ve got to push through that discomfort.

Here’s a foolproof icebreaker that works every time: “What’s been the most surprising thing about this event for you so far?” It’s open-ended, it makes people think, and it gives you an immediate insight into their experience. Now you’ve got a conversation starter. You’re not here to talk about the weather. You’re here to connect on real, meaningful stuff.

Forget Business Cards - Go Straight for LinkedIn and WhatsApp

Listen, if you’re still relying on business cards, you’re already a step behind. Nobody cares about that tiny piece of paper anymore - it’s LinkedIn and WhatsApp where the real action happens. Here’s how you play it:

• Scan LinkedIn QR Codes. Stop fumbling around for a card. Whip out your phone, open LinkedIn, and scan their QR code. If you don’t know how to do it, figure it out. It's 2024, and if you’re still passing out business cards, you’re playing like it’s 2005.

• Go WhatsApp Instant. Want to make an immediate connection? Get their WhatsApp. It's direct, it's fast, and it’s how people actually stay in touch these days. Ask: “Hey, what’s your WhatsApp? Let’s lock this down right now and keep the conversation going.”

And here’s the thing: follow-up doesn’t start when you get back to your hotel. It starts right there. Hit them with a quick LinkedIn message or WhatsApp as soon as you leave the conversation: “Great connecting! Let’s continue this conversation after the event.” Keep it simple, but personal.

Ask Questions That Actually Matter

Want to stand out at an event? Stop asking the same boring questions that everyone else is throwing out there. You know what I’m talking about: “What do you do?” or “How long have you been in recruiting?” Forget that. You need to ask the questions no one else has the guts to ask, especially from a TA lens.

Here’s the game-changer: hit them with something that digs deeper. Try this: “What’s the most broken thing about recruitment that no one’s talking about right now?” or “What’s one unpopular opinion you have about hiring that you think more people need to hear?”

These kinds of questions get people thinking, and better yet, they get people talking. You’ll go from forgettable small talk to memorable conversations. You’re not there to blend in - you’re there to disrupt the room.

Stop Collecting and Start Connecting

If you think your goal is to collect as many connections as possible, you're playing it wrong. The real win isn’t about quantity; it’s about quality. Don’t waste your time trying to connect with everyone in the room. Focus on making five strong, meaningful connections. These are the people you’re going to follow up with, collaborate with, and build a network around.

Here’s how you do it: when you meet someone worth your time, go deeper. Skip the surface-level fluff and ask them real questions about their challenges, their goals, and their vision. And don’t forget to offer something of value in return. Networking is a two-way street - if you want to make a connection that sticks, be useful. Share an insight, a resource, or an introduction.

Nail the sessions with intent

Let’s talk about the sessions. Most people attend like they’re there for Netflix - passively consuming, taking a few notes, and forgetting everything by the next morning. If that’s you, don’t bother showing up.

Here’s how you crush it: go to every session with a mission. You’re there to extract one actionable takeaway from every speaker that you can implement immediately. Not next month, not next quarter - tomorrow.

And stop being a spectator. Ask the bold questions during Q&A. If you’re not walking out with actionable advice that you can use in your business or hiring strategy, you didn’t try hard enough.

Get real about the after-hours networking

Evening networking events are where the magic happens. But they’re also where people get awkward and freeze up. You see the cliques forming, you see people hanging onto their drinks for dear life, and it feels like nobody knows what to say.

Here’s how you break that nonsense: walk right up to someone, introduce yourself, and get straight to the point. Use this: “I’ve been meaning to talk to you about [insert topic]. Can I get your take on it?” It’s direct, it’s professional, and it gets you past the fluff. Don’t wait for the perfect moment - it doesn’t exist. Just dive in.

And here’s a pro tip: if you’ve had a good conversation earlier in the day, use the evening to reconnect. Go deeper with the people you’ve already met and solidify those connections. It’s not about meeting everyone - it’s about turning acquaintances into real allies.

Forget the one-off event mentality - Play the long game

This event isn’t just about what you get out of it this weekend - it’s about what you do after. Don’t think for a second that your job is done when you leave the venue. The real work starts after the event. Follow up with those connections. Share resources. Ask for a call. Offer something that keeps the relationship warm. You didn’t spend all that time and money to just meet people - you’re here to work those connections long-term.

Remember - You control the ROI

See events aren’t magic. They don’t just hand you value. You create it. If you want ROI, you need to go in with a strategy, work the room with intent, and own your connections. Stop waiting for things to happen - make them happen.

Because if you’re not walking out of this event with something real, someone else will. And that’s on you.