Want to make every trip a networking opportunity?
Every day, the majority of business travelers are squandering extraordinary networking chances.
They get on a plane to an industry conference, sit through their meetings and then head back to their hotel.
The problem is…You’re paying thousands of dollars in travel costs. Don’t you want to get more than you’re investing?
Did you know that 38% of business travelers cite networking opportunities as one of the top benefits of traveling for work? These savvy business travelers know something you should know—the corporate travel experience is more than just deals and meetings.
The experience is about building your network and expanding your career.
Here’s the kicker…Most people don’t know how to network effectively while traveling. They think networking is just about handing out their business card at a conference. Networking while traveling for business is much more than that.
Here’s a sneak peek of what you’re about to learn:
- Pre-Trip Networking Preparation Strategies
- Airport & Flight Networking Tactics
- Hotel Lobby Connection Methods
- Conference & Event Networking Approaches
- Post-Trip Follow-Up Systems
Plan Your Networking Even Before You Pack Your Bags
Here’s a secret that most business travelers don’t know…
The best networking opportunities happen before you even get on the plane. The most successful networkers engineer their connections.
Begin by identifying who you want to meet at your destination. Search for other professionals going to the same conference or working in the same city on LinkedIn. Send an invitation to meet 1-2 weeks in advance and book a coffee or lunch meeting.
Why does this work? Because they appreciate you giving them notice. They also like that you’re coming to meet them instead of waiting around at the conference trying to make connections. It’s professional, and it sets you apart.
Pro tip: Create a spreadsheet with their names, companies, and a note about a potential meeting time. This will help you stay organized, and it will also help you avoid double-booking yourself.
Turn your travel time into networking time
Most people see travel as downtime between business activities.
But if you know where to look, there are some of the easiest networking opportunities on the planet. Airports and flights are a treasure trove of other business professionals all traveling for the same reasons as you are.
- At the airport: Get some work done in an airport lounge instead of hiding in a corner. Talk to people in coffee shop lines. Strike up a conversation by asking them about their destination—it’s an easy way to find out what they do. The key is to be friendly and approachable.
- On a flight: Don’t just put in your headphones and bury yourself in your phone. Talk to the person next to you while you’re both boarding the plane. You’d be amazed at how many business deals were started by someone asking, “So what brings you to [city]?”.
Build a Hotel Networking Strategy
Your hotel isn’t just where you sleep, it’s also a networking hub.
Think about it, all of the people in your hotel are there for the same reason you are. They are going to the same conference, meeting the same clients, or working in the same industry.
Hotel bars and restaurants are where you can network casually and make new connections. Eat breakfast in the hotel restaurant instead of ordering room service. Work from the lobby for an hour or two each day. Visit the hotel bar in the early evening, when other professionals are relaxing.
When you see someone who looks like a business traveler (nice clothes, carrying a laptop, etc), simply ask them what brings them to town. This is a natural opener that leads to learning about what they do and finding common ground.
Pro tip: Don’t forget many conferences book hotel blocks. The hotel lobby is the unofficial conference venue before and after the meetings.
Networking At Conferences and Events: Off The Floor
The most obvious place to network at conferences is on the floor.
But most attendees are doing it wrong. They wait for organized networking events, only talk to people they know, or wait in the back of the room to talk to the speaker.
Don’t be that person.
Here’s a much better way to network at conferences:
- Arrive early to meetings: The 10-15 minutes before a presentation starts is perfect for small talk. People are getting settled in and will often strike up conversations. Make sure you’re one of the people they approach. Pro tip: Go to session early to get a seat at the front of the room, it’ll make striking up conversations easier.
- Ask questions during Q&A: This positions you as engaged and will get you noticed. Other attendees will likely approach you after the session to keep the conversation going.
Conference after-parties and evening events are where the real connections are made. Don’t blow them off to catch up on your email.
Use Social Media & Digital Tools
Successful business travelers know this…
Networking isn’t over just because you got back in your hotel room. In fact, digital tools allow you to extend your networking reach exponentially.
Post on LinkedIn that you’re at a certain location, attending a particular event, and share insights from the conferences in real time. Tag speakers and other attendees in your posts. Use conference hashtags to search and connect with other attendees.
It makes it easy for other people to find you and connect with you. The latest data shows that 51% of business travelers name networking opportunities as a top three benefit of business travel. In other words, other people are looking to connect, too.
Pro tip: Set up location-based alerts on LinkedIn. You’ll see when connections are in the same city, which creates natural meetup opportunities.
The follow-up system that works
Do you know the biggest mistake business travelers make when networking?
They hand out business cards, then never follow up with the people they meet. It doesn’t matter how many connections you make on a trip if you don’t nurture them.
Here’s an effective follow-up system:
- Within 24 Hours: Send a brief message referencing your conversation. For example, “Great chatting about [specific topic] at [location] . Let’s stay in touch.”
- Within One Week: Send a resource of some sort that’s relevant to your conversation. It could be an article, introduction, or resource that might help them.
- Within One Month: Set up a follow-up call or meeting to see if you can help each other in some way.
The key is to be specific with your follow-ups. Generic “nice to meet you” messages get deleted. Reference specific details from your conversation to show that you were actually listening.
Conclusion
Networking while traveling for business is not rocket science. It just takes some thought and planning.
The smart business travelers who know this have a simple understanding. Every trip is an opportunity to grow your network, build relationships and create opportunities that can change your career.
Don’t view business travel as just another work chore. See it for what it is: A fantastic networking opportunity.
The people you meet on your next trip can lead to your next job, an incredible business partnership, competitive insights, or friends that last your entire career.
With business travel costs at a record high, there are more professionals traveling for work than ever before. This means that more opportunities to network are right in front of you right now than at any other point in history.
Take these strategies on your next business trip and watch your network grow in no time. The investment you make in networking will pay off for years to come.
