How to Follow Up with Contacts After the Conference
A conference connection becomes valuable when the conversation continues after the closing session. At the 2019 BYU Management Society Asia Pacific Conference in Mongolia, participants met business leaders, entrepreneurs, chapter members, speakers, and fellow attendees with different goals and professional backgrounds. A thoughtful follow-up can turn a brief introduction into an ongoing exchange of ideas.
The best approach is personal, timely, and useful. Rather than sending the same message to everyone, recall what each person discussed and identify a natural reason to reconnect. A short note with a specific reference to the conference will usually make a stronger impression than a long, generic networking email.
Reconstruct the conversation
Begin by reviewing your notes, business cards, email history, and LinkedIn connections while the event is still fresh. Write down where you met each person, what you discussed, and any commitments made. Details such as a shared interest in entrepreneurship, a breakout session, or the Believe & Achieve business plan competition can make your message feel genuine.
If your notes are incomplete, use the conference setting to refresh your memory. You might mention a speaker’s point, a question raised during a session, or a practical lesson from another participant. A clear reference helps the recipient place you and shows that you valued the exchange.
Sort contacts by relevance
Not every new contact requires the same follow-up. Group people according to the next appropriate action: potential collaborators, mentors, clients, employers, investors, chapter contacts, and acquaintances worth keeping in touch with. This simple system prevents important relationships from disappearing in an overcrowded inbox.
Prioritize contacts with whom you identified a specific opportunity. Someone who offered an introduction, shared a resource, or expressed interest in your business idea should receive a message first. For a wider group, a brief thank-you note can maintain goodwill without creating an artificial sense of urgency.
Send a timely personal message
Aim to send the first message within two or three days. Start with a clear reminder of the meeting, then mention one relevant detail. For example: “It was a pleasure discussing market entry in Central Asia after the entrepreneurship session.” This is more effective than opening with a vague statement about networking at the conference.
Keep the message focused on one purpose. You might thank the person, share a promised document, request a short call, or suggest a useful introduction. If you are following up on a business plan, explain the specific feedback you have considered and state what kind of input would help next.
Choose the right follow-up channel
Email works well for formal exchanges, attachments, and detailed proposals. LinkedIn is suitable for maintaining a professional connection and sharing occasional updates. A direct message may be appropriate when the person invited you to contact them there, while a phone or video call should usually follow an explicit invitation.
Conference logistics can also provide a natural point of reference. If you met while discussing travel or lodging, mentioning the conference accommodation arrangements can help reestablish context. Choose the channel that matches the relationship and the action you are proposing.
| Contact type | Best first action | Useful follow-up content |
|---|---|---|
| Potential mentor | Send a concise email | Thank them and request focused advice |
| Business collaborator | Suggest a short call | Summarize the shared opportunity |
| Fellow entrepreneur | Share a relevant resource | Connect it to their stated challenge |
| Speaker or expert | Send a thoughtful note | Reference a specific idea from the session |
| Chapter member | Connect professionally | Mention future events or community activities |
Offer a useful next step
A successful follow-up gives the other person an easy way to respond. Instead of writing “Let’s keep in touch,” propose a practical action: a 20-minute call, an introduction to a colleague, feedback on a one-page concept, or an exchange of market information. Specific requests are easier to accept or decline.
Value should move in both directions. Send an article that addresses a topic they mentioned, forward a relevant contact, or share an update showing how their advice influenced your work. When your follow-up contributes something meaningful, the relationship develops around mutual benefit rather than repeated requests.
Maintain contact with care
Professional relationships grow through consistent, low-pressure communication. Add useful contacts to a simple calendar or relationship-management system, recording the last interaction and a suitable future reason to write. A message every few months is often enough when it contains a genuine update or relevant resource.
Use milestones to reconnect: a new project, a business launch, a chapter gathering, an award, or a development related to the conference discussion. Participants connected through BYU Management Society chapters may also appreciate updates about regional events and shared professional interests. Regular contact should feel purposeful, not automated.
Practical habits for stronger networking
Before sending each message, apply a few simple checks:
- Use the person’s name and identify where you met.
- Refer to one specific conversation, session, or shared interest.
- Keep the first message concise and easy to answer.
- Deliver anything you promised during the conference.
- Record the next step and follow up when you said you would.
The strongest post-conference relationships usually begin with a small, dependable action. Revisit your event notes, choose one priority contact, and send a personal message that offers clear value. Then continue building the connection through relevant updates, helpful introductions, and meaningful participation in the wider BYU Management Society community.