How to Network With Speakers During the Event

The 2019 BYU Management Society Asia Pacific Conference in Mongolia brings together business leaders, entrepreneurs, professionals, students, and members of chapters across the region. With keynote presentations, breakout sessions, and the “Believe & Achieve” business plan competition, the event offers several natural opportunities to meet people whose experience can shape your next professional step.

Networking with speakers requires more than introducing yourself quickly after a presentation. The strongest connections come from thoughtful preparation, relevant conversation, and respectful follow-up. A few deliberate actions can help you turn a brief conference exchange into a valuable professional relationship.

Prepare Before You Arrive

Review the conference schedule, speaker information, breakout session descriptions, and competition details before traveling to Mongolia. Identify the presenters whose work connects with your interests, whether those interests involve entrepreneurship, management, investment, leadership, or regional business development.

Write down one or two specific points you would like to discuss with each person. Referring to a speaker’s presentation topic or professional background creates a stronger opening than offering a general compliment. It also shows that you value the speaker’s time and came prepared to participate actively.

Bring practical networking essentials, including a concise introduction, updated contact information, and a simple explanation of your professional interests. If you are participating in the “Believe & Achieve” competition, be prepared to describe your business idea clearly without turning every conversation into a sales pitch.

Use Sessions As Conversation Starters

Arrive early enough to choose a seat, review your notes, and become comfortable in the room. Speakers may be available before a session begins, but avoid interrupting private preparation. A brief greeting and a comment about the upcoming topic can be appropriate when the setting feels relaxed.

During the presentation, listen for a point that relates directly to your goals or experience. Afterward, mention that point when introducing yourself. For example, you might explain how a speaker’s advice about market entry applies to your work or ask how the idea has changed in a particular Asia-Pacific market.

Breakout sessions can be especially useful because they are usually more focused and conversational than large keynote gatherings. Participate in the discussion, then continue the exchange during the transition to the next session. A thoughtful contribution gives the speaker a reason to remember you.

Approach Speakers With Professional Courtesy

Choose the right moment for a conversation. Immediately after a presentation, a speaker may need to meet organizers, prepare for another session, or speak with several attendees. Keep your first exchange concise and make room for others when a line is forming.

A clear opening might include your name, chapter or organization, area of interest, and one relevant observation from the session. Avoid delivering a long personal history. The goal is to begin a genuine conversation, not to secure an instant mentorship arrangement.

Pay attention to nonverbal signals. If the speaker appears rushed, offer to continue later or connect through the conference’s contact channels. Respectful timing often makes a better impression than persistence.

Networking Moment Useful Approach What to Avoid
Before a session Introduce yourself and mention a shared interest Interrupting private preparation
After a presentation Refer to one specific idea from the talk Offering vague praise only
During a breakout Contribute a relevant comment or example Dominating the discussion
At a reception Ask about the speaker’s regional experience Turning the exchange into a sales pitch
After the conference Send a brief, personalized message Sending a generic mass request

Make Networking Natural During Social Events

Accommodation areas, receptions, meals, and informal conference gatherings often create easier conditions for relationship building. These settings allow conversations to develop without the pressure of a formal question-and-answer line.

Begin with the conference itself. Discuss a session, the business plan competition, travel experiences in Mongolia, or a professional issue shared by attendees from different Asia-Pacific markets. If the speaker is engaged in a group conversation, listen first and contribute when you can add something useful.

Move beyond speaker status by showing interest in the person’s experience. Ask about lessons learned, regional differences, or the practical steps behind an achievement. Avoid overly personal questions and give the other person room to decide how detailed the conversation should become.

Ask Questions That Invite Insight

Strong networking questions are specific, open-ended, and connected to the speaker’s expertise. Instead of asking whether a business idea is “good,” ask which customer problem should be tested first or what evidence would make the idea more credible.

You can also ask about application: how a leadership principle works in a small organization, how entrepreneurs manage uncertainty, or which skills young professionals should develop for cross-border business. These questions encourage useful answers and help you learn how the speaker thinks.

Limit the number of questions and listen carefully to the response. A speaker will remember an attendee who thoughtfully engages with an answer more readily than someone who rapidly moves from one question to another.

Follow Up While The Conversation Is Fresh

Within a few days of the event, send a short message that identifies where you met and refers to a specific part of the discussion. Mention how the advice relates to your work, studies, business plan, or professional development.

Use the contact method the speaker provided or the appropriate conference and BYU Management Society network. A professional social platform can be helpful, but the message should still be personal. Avoid immediately requesting a job, investment, endorsement, or extensive meeting.

Keep the relationship active through meaningful updates. If you apply a speaker’s advice, share the result briefly. If a later conference, chapter activity, or business milestone connects with your earlier conversation, use that occasion to reconnect.

Practical Ways To Build Lasting Connections

The conference is designed to bring ideas and people together across the Asia-Pacific business community. Review the schedule, attend the sessions that match your goals, and approach speakers with curiosity, preparation, and respect. A well-timed conversation in Mongolia can become the beginning of an enduring professional connection.