How do you find thought leaders and influencers at conferences?

Researching speakers is a very crucial aspect of this role as it involves making the right set of expertise meet the audience coming to the event. Some key elements while researching about speakers could be - Years of experience they hold - Their past contribution in the field growth or as a public speaker - Alignment of your agenda with their vision in the respective domain/field. This is very important because when goals match, there are higher chances for their agreement to participate as a panel speaker Ways to research could be diverse. LinkedIn has personally been very resourceful for me. However, reading their research articles, books, listening to their podcasts, watching their interviews, are also some other means that can help.

Especially on X (Twitter), people will announce that they're speaking at a conference, or even change their user name to reflect that they're on a certain event. As Twitter is very accessible, it is easy to get in contact before you go there.

Though LinkedIn has a great database to find speakers across the globe, some key speakers who are top experts just don't have strong presence on LinkedIn. Those can be found on Google, and specific website and articles where you can read about them. It does take strong basic research that might need time, but the search outside the box is always key.

If you're more of an introvert, it's helpful to connect on social before you meet. This makes the first step much easier. Keep in mind that speakers are eager to talk after the presentation.

Before choosing which session to attend, Do your due diligence about the topics on the agenda, and the speakers background. Your goal would be to identify the speaker with the most relevant experience to yours. Apart from listening to their speech, you can actually connect with them and share any questions you've made a note of. Most will gladly connect with you.

Attending sessions requires you to stay actively participative and flexible with time management given your schedule. Though this is a personal choice, it can benefit hugely in various unexpected ways. Attending any session provides a huge opportunity to learn from vivid leaders at one go. However, while we listen to those on stage, we can also connect with the audience. At times, we ought to find senior leaders participate in such sessions as a part of audience because learning is never ending for them. Active participation can cause us to reconnect with leaders we have met in past while also join a new group and approach new leaders with an intention to learn from them. "Learning" should always be the guiding principle.

Yep - we get a lot of networking done… at the bar. Make some new friends, network, have a drink, connect. (Maybe a war story or two?) It’s all about connecting!! Thanks - Sheila

Networking with others gets easy when you have a common discussion point. Hence, it is helpful to stay updated of good discussion topics such that when you approach/network with other attendees, you can lay an easy foundation at the start. Asking questions also gets a communication started at any point of time given similar interests. Hence, always be curious and ready to learn without letting difference of others' opinions effect you much. Networking with others will come with its own pros and cons. Hence, it is important to stay flexible in any given situation.

Hashtags are key to connect with similar minded people in conferences. Look out for the hashtag that excites you the most, and you will be surprised with the similar minded people with common interest.

Oohhhh!! I LOVE THE BOOTHS!! It’s my favorite part!! I could spend hours at the booths! Ask questions & see what interests other LEADERSHIP!! Best part is the whole event (ok - the bar is good networking, too)! Thanks - Sheila

Always visit booth's at events and expo's. There is just so much to learn and explore. Keep in mind that the exhibitors and sponsors are the one's that put their money out to make the event possible. Hence, a visit at the their booth will be appreciated.

My big trick is to bring about 40 thank you notes with me. Hand them out to speakers & vendors & conference staff. Gratitude. (Plus, you are super memorable.) Thanks - Sheila

One need not necessarily "find" a thought leader at any conference. Irrespective of our motto to network with senior experts, when we shift the focus on other important elements, networking automatically becomes easier -Asking their "genuine" opinions about this industry where they are constantly approached to be a speaker or rather spammed all day with invites -Not following them avidly but rather highlighting to them when they "genuinely" inspire us -Learning about the leader's approach when it comes to public speaking and only then setting a "genuine" tone to your communication dialogue with them. These aspects will lead us to building a "genuine" relationship in this industry with all the influencers and thought leaders