# How to Make Small Talk at a Conference Between Sessions

At a conference, the sessions give you a ready-made topic. Ask 'Which talk did you just come from?' or 'What's been the best session so far?', follow up on their answer, then share one thing you found useful. At lunch, ask if a seat is free and introduce yourself to the table. Swap details only when there's a reason to follow up.

By the Speaking Coach team at Sodhera Intelligence. Updated 2026-10-22. Source: https://www.orecci.com/speaking-coach/small-talk/conference-small-talk/

## The sessions are your opener

A conference is easier than most networking. Everyone came for the same reason, and the programme gives you something new to talk about every hour. You don't need to invent topics; you need to ask about the last one.

## Openers for each moment

| Moment | Opener | Follow-up |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Coffee break queue | "Which session did you just come out of?" | "Was it worth it? I nearly went to that one." |
| Walking out of a talk | "What did you think of that? I wasn't sure about the second half." | "Do you work on that kind of thing?" |
| Lunch table | "Is this seat free? I'm Nadia, I work in hospital procurement." | "What brings you all here?" |
| Before a session starts | "Have you seen this speaker before?" | "What are you hoping to get out of it?" |
| Exhibition hall | "Have you found anything good on this floor?" | "What are you looking for this year?" |
| Evening reception | "What's been the highlight so far?" | "Are you here all three days?" |
| Morning of day two | "Did you make it to the dinner last night?" | "Anything on today you're excited about?" |

"Which session did you just come from?" works almost every time. Everyone has an answer, and it tells you what they care about.

## Badges help (use them)

Most conferences give you a name badge with a company and sometimes a role. It's fine to read it and use it.

> "I see you're at Northfield Health. Are you on the clinical side or operations?"
> "Oh, you're from Lyon. Did you come in for the whole week?"

Glance, don't stare. And if you can't read it, just ask their name.

## Lunch tables: the easiest place to meet people

Shared tables are made for conversation. A simple routine:

1. **Ask if the seat's free** and sit down.
2. **Introduce yourself to the people on either side** with your name and one line about your work.
3. **Ask the table a group question** if it's quiet: "What's everyone's favourite session so far?"
4. **Follow up with whoever answers most**, and include the quiet person by asking them directly.

If everyone's on their phone, that's normal at lunch. Try one person once; if they're busy, eat and try again at the next break.

## After a talk

Right after a session is one of the best moments to talk, because you've all just shared an experience.

- **To another attendee:** "What was your main takeaway? I'm still thinking about the point on staffing."
- **To someone who asked a question:** "I liked your question about rural clinics. Is that your area?"
- **To the speaker:** wait until the crowd thins, then be brief and specific.

For speakers, specific beats general. "Great talk" is kind but forgettable.

> "Thanks for the talk. The example about the night-shift handover was exactly the problem we have. Is the checklist you showed available anywhere?"

Keep it to a minute. Speakers often have a queue behind you.

## Talking about your own work

People will ask "What do you do?" or "What brings you here?" Have a one-line answer that fits the conference:

> "I run procurement for a group of three hospitals, so I'm here mostly for the supply chain track."

Then ask theirs. If someone wants more, the longer version is your [elevator pitch](/speaking-coach/presentations/elevator-pitch/).

## Following up after the conference

The conversations only pay off if you follow up. Two things make that easy:

1. **Note one detail about each person** right after you meet them: on their card, in your phone, wherever. "Ana, Northfield, rural clinics, wants the checklist."
2. **Message within a few days,** mentioning that detail: "Great chatting at lunch on Tuesday about rural clinics. Here's the checklist link the speaker shared."

If you promised an introduction or an article, send it. That's what makes people remember you.

## Ending conversations between sessions

Conference conversations end naturally when the next session starts. Use it:

> "I'm going to head to the keynote. Great to meet you. Let's connect."
> "I need to grab a seat for the next one. Are you going too?"

If you're both going to the same session, sit together. That's how a five-minute chat becomes a contact. More in [how to end a conversation politely](/speaking-coach/small-talk/how-to-end-a-conversation/).

## If you're attending alone

- **Pick one or two sessions per day** where you'll stay after and talk.
- **Use the conference app or forum,** if there is one, to arrange a coffee with someone beforehand.
- **Take breaks.** Three days of small talk is tiring; a walk outside at lunch is fine.

## Practice the first line before you go

Say your one-line work answer and two openers out loud before day one. It's easier to approach people when the first sentence is already familiar. Speaking Coach's Work the room scene lets you practise with an AI partner who plays another attendee and follows up on what you say.

## Questions people ask

### What do you say to someone at a conference?

Ask about the sessions: "Which talk did you just come from?" or "What's been the best one so far?" Then follow up on their answer.

### How do I start a conversation at a conference lunch table?

Ask if the seat is free, introduce yourself to the people next to you, and ask the table what sessions they've liked.

### How do I approach a speaker after their talk?

Wait for the crowd to thin, thank them, and mention one specific point that helped you. Keep it to about a minute.

### Is it okay to sit alone at a conference?

Yes, sometimes. Conferences are tiring. But try to sit at a shared table at least once a day; it's the easiest way to meet people.

### How do I follow up with people I met at a conference?

Send a message within a few days that mentions what you talked about, and send anything you promised.

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