Networking isn’t just about collecting contacts.
It’s about building relationships. In Learning and Development, the real impact happens after the event. Yet too many professionals let valuable connections fade away. It is more than just collecting another LinkedIn connection or taking the selfie to post on social media for later.
You really need to make the most of your visit L&D Exhibition Visit.
The Basics
- Strong relationships in L&D lead to better learning strategies, powerful partnerships, and career growth.
- Networking influences salary growth, employee retention, and mentorship success.
- A well-maintained network provides long-term support, fresh insights, and collaboration opportunities.
How It Impacts You
- Career Advancement: Networking is linked to higher salaries and job satisfaction.
- Employee Retention: Companies that invest in learning keep employees longer.
- Mentoring Benefits: Strong networks fuel business success and personal well-being.
Are you going to Exhibitions, Conferences and Events? Are you speaking to the same people at each event? It might feel daunting to go to an event, but try going with a colleague or arrange a few meetings before you go.
Ideas to Try
Take Notes – Jot down key details from every conversation to personalize your follow-ups.
Follow Up With Purpose – Reference a specific discussion or challenge, not just “great to meet you.”
Be Persistent – Busy schedules mean messages get lost, don’t hesitate to reconnect.
How to Begin
Move beyond LinkedIn invites, track conversations and the challenges people mention.
Focus on building two-way relationships, not just transactional exchanges.
Seek out new voices at each event to expand your perspective.
Before you go, work out which event is right for you. Check our complete list of L&D exhibitions and conferences.
Ever left a conference with a stack of business cards or LinkedIn connections, only to never follow up? You are not the only one.
You shake hands. You swap details. You promise to stay in touch. Then, silence. You might wonder what to do. But it’s ok to reach out again.
In L&D, real success comes from relationships. Whether you’re sourcing new content, discussing learning strategies, or exploring tech solutions, what happens after the event matters most.
- Career Advancement: Networking drives salary growth and job satisfaction
- Employee Retention: 94% of employees stay longer at companies that invest in L&D (Academy To Innovate HR).
- Mentoring Benefits: 65% of leaders who had mentors saw revenue growth, 64% saw profit increases, and 72% improved work-life balance and mental health (thetimes.co.uk).
Move Beyond the Business Card
Don’t rely on LinkedIn alone. Take notes, on your phone, a notepad, or directly in your CRM. Take a picture of the stands that you’ve visited.
What did you talk about? Did they mention a challenge their organisation is facing? Are they looking for new learning solutions?
Details like these turn a generic follow-up into a meaningful conversation. Follow up. Don’t worry if its not the next day. Just get the conversation started.
Too often, L&D professionals collect contacts but don’t develop them beyond the first interaction. Following up isn’t a formality, it’s how you turn introductions into lasting relationships.
Follow Up With Purpose
A simple “Great to meet you” isn’t really enough.
Reference something specific, a challenge they mentioned, an insight they shared, or a session you both attended. If possible, share a relevant resource that keeps the conversation going.
It’s not just about sales or being sold to. Networking is about building a professional network that brings value over time. Treat it as a learning opportunity, not a one-sided transaction.
It’s time to stop worrying about being sold to – you can develop connections with suppliers. You can explain that you are not in a buying position at the current time if you need to – good connections will understand this.
Be Persistent, Not Pushy
People are busy. Emails get buried. Messages get forgotten.
No reply? That doesn’t mean they’re not interested. It means they’re swamped.
Follow up again. Maybe even a third time.
If they’re exploring learning solutions, keep track of responses. Know when to reconnect.
And don’t just talk to the same people at every event. Seek out new perspectives. That’s how you grow.
Turn Contacts Into Collaborators
Networking isn’t just about collecting names, it’s about exchanging ideas and building a network you can rely on.
A strong network isn’t just for today. It’s a resource you can tap into when you need advice, support, or collaboration.
And it works both ways. You can reach out for help, and offer help in return. That’s where the real value lies.
Take Action
Capture key details from every conversation.
Follow up with something meaningful.
Be patient, relationships take time to build.
Networking isn’t just about meeting people. It’s about keeping the right conversations going.
Who are you following up with this week?
