Business English - Interacting at Conferences and Networking Events

Activity 1: Let's Get Started! (Warm-up)

What are the main benefits of attending industry conferences or networking events?
What are some common challenges or anxieties people might have about networking in these settings?
Can you share a positive experience you had at a conference or networking event? What made it successful for you?

Activity 2: New Words & Phrases (Vocabulary)

Let's explore some essential terms and phrases for effectively interacting and networking at professional events.

1. Networking (noun/verb): The action or process of interacting with others to exchange information and develop professional or social contacts.

Example: The conference provides excellent opportunities for networking with industry leaders.

2. Keynote speaker (noun phrase): The main speaker at a conference or other large gathering, whose presentation sets the theme or tone.

Example: The keynote speaker's talk on innovation was truly inspiring and set a great tone for the event.

3. Booth (noun): A small, temporary structure at a trade fair or exhibition where a company displays and sells its products or services.

Example: Let's visit the tech company's booth to see a demo of their new software.

4. Exchange business cards (verb phrase): To give your business card to someone and receive theirs in return, typically as part of networking.

Example: After a productive conversation, they decided to exchange business cards to stay in touch.

5. Follow up (phrasal verb): To take further action or contact someone again after an initial meeting or communication.

Example: It's important to follow up with new contacts you make at networking events within a few days.

Activity 3: Reading - Making Connections at Tech Summit

Read the following scenario about an individual navigating a large tech conference and making valuable connections.

Sarah was attending the annual Tech Innovators Summit, a large conference with hundreds of attendees. Her goal was to learn about new industry trends and expand her professional network. After attending an insightful talk by a keynote speaker on artificial intelligence, Sarah noticed a small group discussing the presentation nearby. She decided to join them.

"Excuse me," Sarah said politely, "I also found that keynote speech fascinating, especially the points about AI ethics. I'm Sarah, by the way, from Innovate Solutions." One of the group members, Mark from TechCorp, responded, "Hi Sarah, I'm Mark. Yes, the ethics discussion was particularly thought-provoking." They chatted for a few minutes, and Sarah learned about Mark's work in AI development. Later, Sarah visited several company booths in the exhibition hall, asking questions about their new products. At one booth, she had an interesting conversation with a representative named Lisa about potential collaborations. Before leaving, Sarah and Lisa decided to exchange business cards. Sarah made notes on the back of Lisa's card to remember their conversation. The next day, Sarah made sure to follow up with both Mark and Lisa via email, referencing their discussions and expressing her interest in staying connected. Her proactive approach to networking helped her make several valuable contacts.

Comprehension Questions:

After reading the passage, answer the following questions:

What were Sarah's main goals for attending the Tech Innovators Summit?
How did Sarah initiate a conversation with the group discussing the keynote speaker?
What actions did Sarah take at the company booths to engage with representatives?
Why was it important for Sarah to exchange business cards and follow up with her new contacts?

Activity 4: Role Play - Chatting at a Conference Reception

Read the following dialogue with a partner. One person can be David, and the other can be Maria, who meet at a conference reception.

David: Hi there! Quite a turnout for this reception, isn't it? I'm David, by the way.

Maria: Hi David, I'm Maria. Yes, it's very busy. Have you attended any interesting sessions today?

David: I have! The keynote speaker this morning was excellent. Her insights on sustainable business practices were really compelling. Did you catch that one?

Maria: I did! I completely agree. I work for GreenTech Solutions, so sustainability is a big focus for us. What field are you in, David?

David: I'm with Innovate Digital, specializing in marketing analytics. It's interesting to see how sustainability is becoming a key factor in marketing strategies too.

Maria: Absolutely. We're always looking for innovative ways to communicate our green initiatives. Perhaps our companies could find some common ground for collaboration in the future.

David: That's an interesting thought. I'd be happy to explore that. Do you have a business card? We could exchange business cards and perhaps connect on LinkedIn?

Maria: Of course. Here's mine. And yes, connecting on LinkedIn is a great idea. It was nice meeting you, David.

David: You too, Maria. I'll be sure to follow up after the conference.

Maria: Sounds good. Enjoy the rest of the networking event!

Discuss Together:

After reading or performing the dialogue, discuss the following with a partner:

How did David initiate the conversation with Maria? What open-ended questions did they use?
What steps did they take to build rapport and identify potential common interests or collaborations?

Activity 5: Let's Practice - Approaching a Speaker After a Talk

Objective: Practice initiating conversations and networking at professional events using key vocabulary.

Scenario: Ben was very impressed by a presentation given by a keynote speaker, Dr. Evans, at a conference. He wants to approach her during a break. Fill in Ben's part of the dialogue using vocabulary from Activity 2.

Ben: "Excuse me, Dr. Evans? I'm Ben Carter. I just wanted to say how much I enjoyed your on future technologies. It was truly insightful."

Dr. Evans: "Oh, thank you, Ben! I'm glad you found it valuable."

Ben: "I was particularly interested in your points about quantum computing. My company is just starting to explore its applications. This conference is great for with experts like yourself. Would you mind if I asked a quick question about your research?"

Dr. Evans: "Not at all, please go ahead."

Ben: (Asks question). "That's fascinating. Thank you. I'd love to stay updated on your work. Would it be alright if we ? I'd also like to with an email after the event, if that's okay."

Dr. Evans: "Certainly, Ben. Here's my card. And yes, feel free to send an email."

Try to fill in the blanks with the correct words or phrases from Activity 2. (Note: one blank might be part of an idiom).