20 Natural Conversation Starters for Conferences

Ready to uplevel your networking skills? Here are some conversation starters for your next trade show.

It’s conference season and that means that many of you will be heading off to industry trade shows conferences.  One thing you can count on at these conferences is massive amounts of people. And with massive crowds of people comes overwhelm and maybe even a little bit of shyness when it comes to starting conversations with strangers.

Using just a few lines, you can effectively engage attendees and spark meaningful conversations.

I’ll also be sharing conversation starters for virtual conferences, meetings and trade shows, so keep reading to the end.

4 Simple Conversation Starter Rules

1. Keep Your Questions Open-Ended: You know the drill, start your question with a Who, What, Where, When, Why or In What Ways. After asking an open-ended question, be prepared with a follow-up question to keep the conversation flowing.

2. Get Out of the ~Box~ Booth: Sure, you can ask trade show or conference related questions, but switch things up a bit and ask questions about them and their business.

3. Keep it Professional: Some topics are more suited for your friends and family than strangers or near-strangers. Your questions should never make your conversational partner uncomfortable.

4. Be Relevant: If you can start a conversation about something timely or specific, such as your location, event, industry, jobs, or current interests. The other person will find it easier to contribute.

If you find yourself wondering how to start conversations at conferences — here are just a few questions you can jot down to get the conversation started:

Effective Conversation Strategies

Effective conversation strategies are crucial for making a good impression and generating leads at trade shows. One key strategy is to focus on the attendee’s needs and interests, rather than simply pitching your product or service. This can be achieved by asking open-ended questions that encourage the attendee to share their thoughts and opinions. For instance, instead of asking, “Do you like our product?” try, “What features do you think would benefit your business the most?” This approach not only shows that you value their input but also opens the door to a more meaningful conversation.

Another powerful strategy is to use storytelling techniques to make your product or service more relatable and memorable. Sharing a personal anecdote or a customer success story can create an emotional connection with the attendee. For example, you might say, “One of our clients faced a similar challenge and found that our solution helped them increase efficiency by 30%.” By weaving in these stories, you make your product or service more appealing and easier to remember.

Crafting Engaging Conversation Starters

Crafting engaging conversation starters is an art that requires creativity and practice. One effective approach is to use humor or a thought-provoking question to grab the attendee’s attention. For example, you could ask, “What’s the most interesting thing you’ve seen at the trade show so far?” or “If you could solve one problem in your industry, what would it be?” These questions not only break the ice but also encourage the attendee to share their insights and experiences.

Another approach is to use a personal connection or a shared experience as a conversation starter. For instance, you could say, “I noticed you’re from [city], I have a friend who lives there too,” or “I saw that you’re interested in [topic], I have some expertise in that area.” By finding common ground, you make the conversation more personal and engaging, which can lead to a deeper connection.

What do I say at a trade show?

• Why are you at the conference (or trade show) and what will you walk away with that will make this time worthwhile?

• What’s your strategy for getting and keeping profitable customers?

• What sets your business apart from the crowd?

• What possibilities or opportunities do you see for your business in 2010? And in what is at least one way that you’re going to take advantage of them?

• What’s been your most successful strategy in building your business so far? What tips do you have for those of us that want to use that strategy as well?

• What do you love about your business?

• How did you start your business?

• What’s been your favorite part of the conference so far?

• Who are some of your favorite experts and/or authors?

• Have you gone to this conference before? What’s changed?

• What’s the most surprising thing you’ve learned? (If the conference isn’t over, add “so far?”)

• Why did you decide to attend?

• Are you planning on coming back next year?

• Are you here with other people? Do you prefer going to conferences solo or with a group?

• Are you doing any non-conference activities while you’re here? Alternatively: “Did you fit in any non-conference activities?”)

• Is this your first time in [city]? What do you think of it?

• Are you from the area? (If yes: “Do you have any [food, museum, shopping, music] recommendations?” If no: “Where are you from?”)

• What exciting projects are you working on?

• Tell me about your company or business?

• What’s the most interesting thing that you’ve gotten out of the conference so far.

These questions can help you ease into a sales pitch by first engaging attendees in meaningful conversations.

Creating a Memorable Experience

Creating a memorable experience is critical for making a lasting impression on trade show attendees. One way to do this is to offer a unique or interactive experience that sets your booth apart from others. For example, you could offer a virtual reality demo or a hands-on product trial. These interactive elements not only attract attention but also provide attendees with a tangible experience of your product or service.

Another way to create a memorable experience is to provide personalized and attentive service to each attendee. Train your staff to be friendly, knowledgeable, and responsive to attendees’ needs. A warm greeting, a genuine smile, and a willingness to help can go a long way in making attendees feel valued and appreciated. By creating a positive and memorable experience, you increase the chances of attendees remembering your brand long after the trade show is over.

Building Meaningful Connections

Building meaningful connections with trade show attendees is essential for generating leads and driving sales. One effective way to do this is to focus on building rapport and trust with each attendee. Start by asking open-ended questions, listening actively, and responding thoughtfully. For example, you could ask, “What challenges are you currently facing in your business?” and then listen carefully to their response. This shows that you are genuinely interested in their needs and are willing to help.

Another important aspect of building meaningful connections is to follow up with attendees after the trade show. Send a personalized thank-you email, provide additional information about your product or service, and offer to answer any questions they might have. By staying in touch and providing valuable follow-up, you can create a loyal customer base and drive long-term growth for your business.

How to Start a Conversation in a Virtual Meeting

With so many conferences and trade shows going virtual, starting a conversation can be tricky. Most conversations during a virtual meeting (or a LIVE event on Facebook or LinkedIn) happen in the chat.

So, in addition to paying attention to the speakers, it’s a great idea to pay attention to the chat.

Here are some simple ways to start a conversation in a virtual meeting:

1. Start by saying hi to the group and telling them where you are located. If you have the ability to do so, take a snapshot of your view – always fun to see where people are.

2. Notice where other people are located and look for ways to make a connection — you can say that you’re visiting and want suggestions about where to eat, for example.

3. Mention the person you want to comment to using @their name. If you are on a Facebook or LinkedIn live, you can speak directly to a person by adding the @ symbol to their name. In a Zoom MEETING, you can send a message directly to someone in the room.

4. Ask a question to the group. A virtual event is a great place to ask a type of survey question “How many of you have an online business?” for example. If you’re at the same event, you share an interest in the topic, so this is a great time to run a mini survey of your audience.

Final Thoughts on Conversation Starters (and a download)

Now that you know how to start a conversation, the next step is to make sure that you are prepared to take advantage of all the opportunities available at a conference. You can download your checklist of conversation starters here

download your very own conversation starter sheets

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