Attending industry events is a powerful way for onboarding professionals to gain valuable insights, forge meaningful connections, and drive results for your business. To truly maximize the value of these events, a proactive approach is essential. Whether you’re participating in a niche conference or a global summit, these ten strategies will help you get the most out of your event experience.
1. Build a Personalized Schedule
Start by reviewing the event agenda and creating a tailored plan that aligns with your goals. Identify sessions, keynotes, and workshops that can directly impact your business or personal development. A thoughtful schedule helps you focus your time on high-value opportunities.
2. Network With a Purpose
Networking can be one of the most meaningful aspects of an onboarding event, but only if you approach it strategically. For example, if AI in onboarding is your focus, connect with professionals specializing in this area and discuss their experiences and recommended tools.
3. Stay Active on Social Media
Engage with relevant social media channels before, during, and after the event. Use event hashtags, comment on posts, and share your own insights to boost your visibility. This is a great way to join conversations and connect with attendees you may not have met in person.
4. Arrive Early and Stay Late
Arriving early and staying a bit longer can help you make connections when the environment is less crowded and hectic. You might catch a speaker for a quick chat after their session or build rapport with fellow early birds at the coffee station.
5. Attend Breakout Sessions
While keynote presentations are often a big draw, don’t overlook breakout sessions or smaller workshops. If you’re exploring retention strategies, a focused workshop on onboarding success metrics might provide tools you can implement immediately.
6. Participate in Q&A Sessions
Engaging in Q&A sessions after presentations is an excellent way to gain clarity on specific points and position yourself as an active participant. Thoughtful questions can help you stand out and spark new connections afterward.
7. Take Detailed Notes
Document key takeaways in real-time to hold onto valuable insights. Note actionable items, standout ideas, and any resources mentioned during sessions. Apps or digital notebooks can help you organize your notes for easy post-event review.
8. Plan Your Follow-Ups Before the Event Ends
Use the final hours of the event to solidify connections. Exchange contact information, schedule follow-up calls or meetings, and send quick messages to remind people of your conversation. This proactive approach prevents your new relationships from fizzling out.
9. Create a Post-Event Action Plan
Once the event is over, review your notes and prioritize actionable next steps. Learned about a new onboarding framework? Schedule a team meeting to discuss how it could be implemented in your organization.
10. Stay in Touch With Your Network
Events are a starting point for relationships, not the end. Stay in touch with people you connected with by sharing resources, following up on discussions, or even arranging to meet at future events. Consistent communication keeps you top-of-mind in your professional circle.
New Strategies for a New Year of Onboarding Events
Industry events offer innate value—curated knowledge, access to industry leaders, and a space to connect with like-minded professionals. But their true ROI lies in how attendees engage with the experience. With the right strategies, you can turn every minute, connection, and insight into measurable results that enhance your client onboarding processes and overall business impact.
What better place to put these strategies into action than at Onboarding World 2025? Setuply is thrilled to bring back Onboarding World for another year of bringing together industry professionals to share insights, strategies, and solutions for elevating client onboarding journeys. Be a part of the unforgettable experience—fill out this form to receive your registration link!