How to Approach a Speaker for a One-on-One Conversation

A brief conversation with a conference speaker can become one of the most valuable parts of attending an event. The goal is not to deliver a polished sales pitch or monopolise someone’s time. It is to create a relevant, respectful exchange that gives both people a clear reason to stay in contact.

At a business event such as the BYU Management Society Asia Pacific Conference in Mongolia, attendees may meet entrepreneurs, academics, investors and senior leaders from across the region. Australian participants travelling from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane or Perth can use the same approach they would at a local industry forum: prepare carefully, be direct, and make the interaction easy for the other person.

Choose A Clear Reason To Connect

Before approaching a speaker, define what you want from the conversation. You might be seeking advice about entering the Mongolian market, feedback on a business idea, insight into leadership, or guidance related to the Believe & Achieve business plan competition. A specific purpose produces a more natural opening than a general request to “pick your brain”.

Research the speaker’s role, recent work and likely interests. Review the conference programme, breakout sessions and any available biography. If the speaker works in fintech, mining, education or technology, connect your question to a genuine interest in that field. Australian business audiences generally appreciate a practical question supported by some preparation.

Keep your desired outcome modest. A useful exchange may last five minutes and lead to a later email, an introduction or a recommendation for further reading. It does not need to become an immediate partnership.

Prepare A Concise Opening

Your first sentence should explain who you are and why you chose to speak with that person. For example: “I’m a Melbourne-based founder working on payments for small retailers, and your comments about financial access were particularly relevant to my project.” This gives the speaker context without requiring a long biography.

Australian professional culture often favours first names and a relaxed but capable manner. A friendly “Hello, I’m Daniel” is usually more effective than an elaborate title, while a respectful tone remains important in an international setting. Pay attention to the speaker’s cues and follow the local convention if they use a formal name or title.

Useful preparation can include:

When reviewing registration, accommodation or payment services for an overseas event, apply the same care used for any unfamiliar digital platform. A fast verification guide can reinforce the habit of checking identity, security and terms before sharing personal or financial information.

Approach At The Right Moment

The best opportunities are usually before a session, during a scheduled break or shortly after a presentation, when the speaker is still available and the subject is fresh. Avoid interrupting while the speaker is eating, rushing between rooms, speaking with an organiser or preparing for a presentation.

Open with a brief reference to the session, then ask permission to continue. “May I ask you one quick question about your point on regional expansion?” signals respect for the speaker’s schedule. If they appear hurried, offer to exchange details and arrange a later call instead.

Queues, coffee breaks and informal networking can feel familiar to Australians, yet international conferences may involve different expectations around personal space and business etiquette. Keep a comfortable distance, avoid overly casual physical contact, and let the speaker decide whether a handshake is appropriate.

Make The Conversation Useful

Ask open questions that invite experience rather than information easily found online. “What mistake did you make when entering a new market?” is more engaging than “What markets do you operate in?” Follow up on the answer instead of immediately moving to your own story.

Listen for details that connect with your work or interests. If a speaker describes managing teams across time zones, you could briefly mention the practical challenges of coordinating Sydney and Ulaanbaatar schedules. If the topic concerns the Australian market, refer to relevant conditions such as small-business adoption, GST obligations, strong competition in Melbourne or the role of mining and resources in Western Australia.

A good one-on-one exchange should feel balanced. Share enough about yourself to make the discussion meaningful, but keep the focus on the speaker’s insight. If the conversation naturally develops, ask whether they would be comfortable continuing by email or LinkedIn.

Use The Venue And Programme Wisely

Study the event schedule before arriving so you can identify natural meeting points. Breakout sessions, speaker lounges, exhibition areas and conference receptions often create better opportunities than approaching someone immediately after a high-attendance keynote. The BYUMS Asia Pacific event materials also include practical information about travel, accommodation and participation, which can help you plan around the programme.

For attendees travelling to Ulaanbaatar, accommodation is part of the networking strategy as well as a logistical decision. Staying close to the venue may make it easier to attend early sessions and informal evening events. Comparing conference venue hotels can help you protect time for useful conversations rather than losing it to long transfers.

Prepare for different settings:

If you attend from Australia, account for time-zone differences when arranging follow-up calls. A morning meeting in Ulaanbaatar may fall during the Australian afternoon or evening, depending on daylight-saving arrangements and your home state. Confirm the time zone rather than relying on an automatic calendar setting.

Follow Up With Specificity

Send a follow-up message within a day or two while the exchange is still memorable. Mention the session, the subject discussed and one useful point the speaker shared. A note such as “Your advice about testing a partnership through a small pilot was particularly helpful” is far stronger than a generic thank-you.

Give the speaker a clear reason to reply. You might share a short update on your project, send an article related to the discussion or ask whether a proposed next step remains suitable. Keep attachments and requests limited, especially if the person has a demanding executive or academic schedule.

A professional follow-up might include:

Respect the response you receive. Some speakers will welcome a continuing exchange, while others may respond briefly or not at all. In either case, the conversation has served its purpose if you approached thoughtfully, listened well and represented yourself with confidence.