Help me network with the world's most accomplished people

December 8, 2011 6:00 AM

How do I make the most of this incredible, unique opportunity to network with some of the most powerful people in the world?

I've been invited to the Renaissance Weekend, a private retreat for the accomplished and powerful. Past attendees include Bill Clinton, a bunch of Prime Ministers, Nobel Prize winners, Fortune 500 CEOs, MacArthur Fellows, etc. The gathering is quite small -- supposedly under 100 people. It's like TED, but seems more American-focused, and a bit more mainstream.

I'm not near this level, but I think they invite a few "up and coming" young people -- in my case, as an entrepreneur in an innovative field -- to bring some fresh blood to the event.

I'd like to make the most of this opportunity to make lasting connections with amazing people. This kind of opportunity might not come around again!

Things I have done to prepare so far:
- Business cards - I got a special, more memorable card for the event, with a unique email address at my domain.
- Pitch - Planning my self-description and elevator pitch on what I do.
- Clothes - Updating my wardrobe a bit, buying new shoes. (I'm female, if that matters.)

My questions:
- Has anyone been to the Renaissance Weekend before? Or TED, Davos, etc.? Feel free to PM if you prefer.

- In general, how can I make the most of this sort of opportunity? I have been at this sort of event (but not this high level) before and really didn't have much of a plan. I'd like to go into this prepared and really make the most of it.

- Do's and don'ts? I'm not particularly star struck, so I probably won't fall into that trap. But what else?

- How should I keep track of the people I meet there and ping them to stay in touch? CRM software for small businesses?

Thank you, everyone!

posted by metametacap to Work & Money (12 answers total)

The elevator pitch is good, and most important. I would advise to make it very specific, even if your real job or skillset is much broader than that.

I have been invited to a few such events where I was hanging out way higher than my pay grade, and being treated as a peer among people who were much, much more important than me. Looking back, what seemed to have the most impact for me was talking about very specific interests or projects, not just everything I do.

That is, people meet thousands of consultants and forget about them, but even ten years after attending certain events, I still get calls and e-mails from people who remember me as an expert (ha-ha) or someone working in some very certain narrow fields where they're not likely to know ten other people to call.

People meet many architects, for example, and forget them. But if they meet a guy who specializes in designing circus tents (or at least he emphasizes that he's most interested in circus tents), they'll tend to remember that, and years later when they're looking for a kickass circus tent design... well, there's only one old business card they're going to go looking for.
posted by rokusan at 6:16 AM on December 8, 2011 [10 favorites]

Oh, as for keeping in touch later... I'm not great at this, but I'd say stick to basics. Collect business cards, and a week or two after the event e-mail each person you had a meaningful talk with, something like:

"I enjoyed the interesting talk we had about ACTUAL SUBJECT DISCUSSED, TO REMIND PERSON WHO YOU ARE. I'd love to discuss it more with you sometime when I'm next in CITY, or you're somewhere near OTHER CITY."

And then they're in your address book and easy to find later, when you have a project they may be interested in, or whatnot.

As I said, I tend to be bad at staying in touch, but I do have more than a handful of solid business contacts and even longtime friends I originally met at such conferences 10 or 15 years ago. So it must work at least a little bit.

You can also add them to Facebook or Google+ with a polite message, I suppose, if you're into that there social media hoo-hoo stuff that all the kids like.

(Note also that if you're an attractive woman and this is a setting full of middle-aged or older men, you'll want to be extra careful with your flirty levels while being friendly, and you might even want to err on the side of extra-businesslike coolness. Conferences can be moral free zones sometimes, and some men who are thousands of miles from home might read you wrong, especially if they're the type who are used to women attaching themselves.)
posted by rokusan at 6:24 AM on December 8, 2011 [1 favorite]

do your research on the attendees, create a target group of people who could now, or someday find you a valuable resource then get them talking about those projects where your common passions intersect.
posted by any major dude at 6:28 AM on December 8, 2011 [1 favorite]

Don't forget to ask people about themselves and listen to what they have to say. Having people remember you as someone that can help them might be as important as them remembering you as someone that needs their help.
posted by empath at 6:59 AM on December 8, 2011 [1 favorite]

I've been to some of the TED events. I don't know how the attendees at TED events compare to those at the Renaissance Weekend, but the people that I met at TED were genuinely interesting people, accomplished in their field, and, more importantly, were interested in meeting other people and exchanging ideas and information, even if the people with whom they were exchanging information did not work in their field, etc.

That said. You will likely meet a lot of very busy people, some of whom, outside of these types of meetings, will have gatekeepers and/or assistants whose job it is to fend off inquiries and solicitations from people that these VIPs meet on their various travels. So. Realize that not everyone with whom you connect is going to be able to or want to form a lasting relationship, etc. If you cultivate one or two contacts from this event, that is no small thing. Just don't expect that everyone you meet is going to remember you, much less have time for you, after the event.
posted by dfriedman at 7:46 AM on December 8, 2011

Be genuine. You've been asked to be there because you're interesting and innovative, and you don't have to go out of your way to sell people on that once you are there. I've seen people be overly network-y and pitch-y at these sort of things, and it doesn't always come across well. You'll have a wonderful time, and because of the nature of these things, you'll meet fascinating people. It doesn't hurt to prepare a little, as you're doing, but be open to the serendipity that will make this a really special experience for you.
posted by judith at 8:29 AM on December 8, 2011

I think empath is correct and you can take it a bit further: find out who will be there, find out what they are doing, cultivate a sincere interest in them and their work/hobby and ask them about it. I wouldn't worry any more about the elevator pitch.

If there's something about them that you really admire, tell them. I'm sure you'll have squeezed in something about yourself along the way and that will probably be enough. Just get them to engage with you in a meaningful way - isn't that what life is all about?
posted by HopStopDon'tShop at 8:31 AM on December 8, 2011

Collect business cards, and a week or two after the event e-mail each person you had a meaningful talk with, something like:

"I enjoyed the interesting talk we had about ACTUAL SUBJECT DISCUSSED, TO REMIND PERSON WHO YOU ARE. I'd love to discuss it more with you sometime when I'm next in CITY, or you're somewhere near OTHER CITY."

Moreover, write down any connections or sparks immediately on the back of the business card itself. If they give you one of those plastic name tag holders on a lanyard, stuff the cards in there. Write it all up as soon as you get a chance.
posted by carter at 9:02 AM on December 8, 2011 [1 favorite]

Solve 360 is a piece of contact management software/webapp that has at least a free trial period, I think.

Second that you need a very specific very brief pitch, like 4 words, and then also a slightly longer elevator pitch.

Second that you should take notes as immediately as possible, and on the business card is a great way. Alternatively, keep a small notebook and file each card on its own page, write a note on the page with the person's name and whatever you talked about.

Be sure that you're forcing yourself to drink enough water, eat enough food, and get enough sleep during a multi-day event. These events wear you out, and if you want to be at your best on the second afternoon, you need to take steps to counteract it.

Also, get a fresh haircut.
posted by LobsterMitten at 11:02 AM on December 8, 2011

Sounds like Bohemian Grove here on the west coast. Congrats. Have some fun.

Be sensitive to the fact that some places and times are inappropriate for your pitch, self promotion, and business cards. If someone is interested, they *will* ask. I don't know about your event, but it would be gauche here.

That said, yes, do have your elevator pitch polished ready to go. Me and the people I admire (who do Davos, etc.) seem to get the most traction by listening and asking pertinent questions. The people perceived as smartest are often simply good listeners. And when the talker finally winds down to ask, "And you?" give only the very concise version of your elevator pitch. They can contact you again off site if they'd like to hear more. Works for me.

Have fun. Enjoy the people.
posted by lothar at 12:01 PM on December 8, 2011

Everyone who has accomplished much in life has seen a dozen things fail for each success. If you are curious to get to know someone in particular, read about something they tried -- that you can feel genuine interest in -- that didn't quite work out. Ask them what went wrong.

Also pet concerns or projects they haven't had enough time to focus on yet. By the time someone has a reputation for X they're often bored of it and chomping at the bit to try Y.
posted by ead at 12:30 PM on December 8, 2011

Are you better off pitching, or asking and listening?
posted by Good Brain at 2:01 PM on December 8, 2011 [1 favorite]