So you’ve decided it’s time to step into your first-ever crypto conference? These gatherings can be goldmines for potential connections, knowledge, and other opportunities – but they can also be pretty overwhelming if you show up unprepared and don’t know what to expect.
Whether you’re a business owner, investor, user, or just someone with an avid interest in the Web3 space, this guide will share everything you need to know about attending crypto events as a first-timer.
Finding the right event for you
Before jumping in and buying any tickets, it’s a good idea to take some time to research a crypto events calendar for upcoming Blockchain and Crypto events. You might be surprised to see just how much of a diverse range of conferences there are out there, each with different focuses:
- Local meetups: Perfect for beginners and usually more casual
- Industry-specific conferences: This might be a particular focus on NFTs, DeFi, or specific blockchains
- Developer-centered events: Heavy on technical workshops and coding
- Investment summits: Aimed at funding and financial aspects
When you are just getting started, you may want to look for events happening near you or in a crypto-friendly city that has some things that pique your interest. To see if an event is right for you, check out reviews from previous years, speaker lineups, and agenda topics to see if they match what you’re hoping to learn or who you want to meet.
You also want to consider the size of the event you would rather attend, as this will make a big difference in the experience. Massive conferences like Consensus or Paris Blockchain Week offer a ton of activities and may be great for blockchain PR, but that can make it hard to build meaningful connections and networks.
Smaller, more focused events might give you better opportunities to connect with specific communities or experts in your area of interest.
Before you go: Prep work that pays off
Set clear goals. Are you there to find potential business partners? Learn about specific projects? Meet investors? Having 2-3 specific objectives will help you structure your time.
Research key speakers and attendees. Most conferences publish speaker lists and sometimes attendee directories. Make a short list of people you specifically want to connect with.
Study the agenda strategically. Look for panels or workshops that match your business goals. Sometimes, the smaller, more specialized sessions offer better networking than the main keynotes.
Prepare your pitch. You’ll be asked, “So what do you do?” hundreds of times. Make sure you have an answer ready—a 30-second elevator pitch that feels natural about your business or interest in crypto. Don’t try to oversell yourself.
Get your digital presence ready. People will look you up! Update your LinkedIn, Twitter, and other online profiles. Consider creating a simple digital business card or personal site link that’s easy to share.
Making real connections (Not just collecting cards)
One of the biggest mistakes first-timers make, not just in crypto but when going to any conference, is trying to meet everyone and do everything on the agenda. Quality always beats quantity. Keep that in mind as you go about your business.
Start conversations naturally. It may not feel natural to approach people and spark conversations, and that’s okay. Many people feel out of their comfort zone at these events. The key is to remember to keep it simple. Start with natural openers like “What did you think about that last speaker?” or “Which projects are you most excited about right now?”
Ask thoughtful questions. People generally love to speak about their own businesses and experiences. Remember this and use it to your advantage. Ask them questions like”
- “How did you first get involved in crypto?”
- “What problem is your project trying to solve?”
- “What’s something you think isn’t getting enough attention in this space?”
Give before you take. Before you ask someone for something, think about whether you can deliver value to them first. Can you introduce them to someone? Perhaps you wrote an interesting article or have seen something relevant to their work. Offer genuine value first.
Engaging with speakers and thought leaders
The “big names” and thought leaders doing speaking gigs at these events might feel a bit intimidating to talk to. But the fact is that they are also there to connect. Here are some approaches that work:
- Attend Q&A sessions. This gives you a legitimate reason to approach speakers afterward with a follow-up to their answer.
- Use social media strategically. If you ask a good question or share an insight about a speaker’s presentation, tag them in your post. This can open the door to further conversation.
- Visit exhibitor booths during off-peak times. If you want to speak with team members from specific projects, visit during slower periods when they’re not swamped with visitors.
The value of side events
Most conferences, especially the larger ones, have side events where smaller gatherings occur. These are often hosted by sponsors, companies, or communities alongside the main conference. At these events, you may find things like workshops, dinners, or some sort of casual meet-up, and they provide excellent (and more intimate) networking opportunities.
It’s not always easy to hear about these events in advance, but your best bet is to keep in the loop across Telegram groups, Discord channels, and Twitter for announcements. They may require separate registration but are typically free, and they may lead you to create some of your most valuable connections.
Follow-up: The most overlooked step
The conference will come and go in several hours (or possibly days). But once it’s over, that’s when the real work begins. Now, it’s time to put your follow-up strategy into action and transform those brief meetings you had into meaningful relationships.
- Act quickly. Send connection requests within 24-48 hours while you’re still fresh in people’s minds.
- Reference your conversation. Don’t just send generic connection requests. Mention something specific you discussed to jog their memory.
- Suggest a concrete next step. Whether it’s a virtual coffee chat, an introduction to someone in your network, or sharing a resource you mentioned, offer something specific.
- Create a system for tracking connections. Use a simple spreadsheet or CRM to note who you met, what you discussed, and any follow-up items.
Final thoughts
Above all, don’t pressure yourself to become a crypto networking pro. Even if you’re a crypto public relations expert, networking and building conference connections can be challenging. The key is to focus on being genuine. Go with intrigue, try to learn something new, get a better feel for the community you want to join, and see if you can make a few quality connections.
The beauty of the crypto space is its openness to collaboration and new ideas – don’t overthink it, and enjoy yourself! Who knows who you might meet and where the journey will take you?
