How to Use Technology to Network at Events (Without Killing the Vibe)

Technology and live events have an interesting relationship. The same device that can help you connect with the most interesting people in the room can also be a barrier that keeps you staring at a screen while interesting people walk past.

How you use technology at events matters as much as what technology you use. Here's a guide to using it well.

Before the Event: Do Your Research

The best use of technology for event networking happens before the event starts. This is where the research is easy and doesn't interrupt the live experience.

Check the attendee list: Many conferences and networking events publish their attendee list or have a pre-event app. Identify five to ten people you'd genuinely like to meet. This transforms the event from an overwhelming social situation into a specific mission.

Follow speakers on LinkedIn or Twitter: Knowing something about someone's background before you approach them makes the conversation significantly better from the start.

Join any pre-event communities: WhatsApp groups, Slack channels, Discord servers attached to specific events let you start building familiarity before you arrive. Names and faces you've seen online are less intimidating to approach in person.

At the Event: Focused, Not Constant

The goal during the event is to use technology purposefully, not continuously. The person who is constantly on their phone is unavailable to the room. The person who checks their phone for thirty seconds, identifies someone worth meeting, and puts it away — they're using technology correctly.

Use discovery apps deliberately: Apps like FirstMove are most useful in short, purposeful bursts. Open the app, see who's in the VibeZone and interested in connecting, identify who you want to approach, close the app. The actual connection happens in person.

Use conference apps for scheduling: If the event has a networking platform with meeting scheduling, use it. It removes the "can I grab five minutes?" awkwardness by creating formal appointment-setting.

Save your follow-up notes: When you have a good conversation, send yourself a quick note (or use the notes app on your phone) about who you spoke to and what you discussed. You'll thank yourself when you're doing follow-ups the next day.

Digital Business Cards

Physical business cards are declining. QR codes and digital card apps (like HiHello or Blinq) are increasingly common at professional events. They're more convenient and don't require printing. At social events, exchanging Instagram handles or adding on WhatsApp serves the same purpose.

If you're in a professional context and don't have a business card equivalent ready, you're adding friction to an otherwise smooth connection.

Social Posting During Events

Live-posting at events (tweeting, sharing stories, posting to LinkedIn) can be useful as a way to increase your visibility to other attendees. People who see your posts may recognise and approach you; conference hashtags can also surface interesting people.

The risk is spending your time creating content rather than having experiences. Be conscious of the trade-off.

After the Event: Technology Consolidates the Connection

The follow-up is where technology is unambiguously useful. Within 24-48 hours:

• Send personalised messages to connections worth keeping (LinkedIn, email, WhatsApp — whatever medium is appropriate)
• Connect on LinkedIn where professionally relevant
• Add to your calendar any commitments you made ("I'll send you that article")

The quality of your follow-up determines whether an event encounter becomes an ongoing relationship.

The Principle

Technology should lower barriers to connection — not replace connection. The phone in your pocket is a tool. The person standing next to you is the opportunity.

Use apps to identify who's open to meeting. Use them to remove the awkward guesswork. Then put them away and be present.

Try FirstMove

FirstMove is designed specifically for this: brief, purposeful use at events that facilitates real-world connection. Free on iOS and Android.