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.

Related reading: See our articles on the power of mentorship in tech and open source communities as social networks for more insights.

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.

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Further Reading:

• Harvard Business Review: Networking - Research-backed strategies for building professional relationships from the leading business publication.
• LinkedIn Learning: Professional Networking - Expert courses and resources on effective networking from the world's largest professional network.
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