Surviving Tech Conferences: A Guide for Introverts

The badge. The lanyard. The deafening noise of the expo hall. For many developers, a tech conference is a sensory nightmare. But it's also where careers are made.

The "Pac-Man" Rule

When standing in a circle talking to people, always leave an opening (like Pac-Man's mouth). This visual cue invites new people to join the conversation. If you are a closed circle, you are unapproachable.

Quality > Quantity

You don't need 50 business cards. You need 3 meaningful conversations. The Script:

• "What's the most interesting talk you've seen so far?" (Better than "What do you do?")
• "What problem are you trying to solve right now?"

The Hallway Track

The best talks are recorded and can be watched later at 2x speed. The real value is in the "Hallway Track"—the serendipitous conversations that happen between sessions. Don't feel guilty about skipping a keynote to grab coffee with a new connection.

Recharging

Know your limits. It's okay to go back to your hotel room for an hour of silence. You can't network if you're socially bankrupt.