The 2025 ATC Summit is just around the corner! Filled with speakers, roundtables and workshops, the Summit is an exciting time to dive deep and propel your AgeTech journey by honing skills such as refining your pitch, participating in focused breakout sessions, and learning from experts about topics such as designing high-impact pilot programs.
The Summit is also an excellent opportunity for networking — structured opportunities such as pre-arranged 1:1 meetings along with plenty of those “porous” moments between sessions, at meals and in the hallways that can give rise to some of the best opportunities to rub elbows and make spontaneous connections with your fellow AgeTech pioneers.
Making the most of these in-person networking experiences can set the stage for new collaborations and lasting professional relationships. Yet, it’s also easy to feel overwhelmed when faced with a packed schedule and hundreds of new faces, but a little preparation can go a long way. In fact, in-person networking is an art that thrives on preparation, authenticity and follow-through. In this post, we’re sharing our top four tips for approaching networking at the ATC Summit — and beyond — with confidence and purpose.
1. Plan Ahead
A terrific way to help ensure that you have a fruitful networking experience is to plan ahead. A great place to start is the AgeTech Collaborative message board, where a number of Collaborative participants have been announcing their plans to attend the Summit. If you see that a person or company of particular interest will be attending, don’t leave things to chance — reach out! A short, polite email introducing yourself, expressing your interest and suggesting a time to connect can open the door for a valuable conversation. And don’t hesitate to post a message of your own! To be even more strategic, use the directory on the AgeTech Collaborative platform to research companies and even people to learn about their backgrounds, roles and interests. A well-crafted, friendly message that shows you’ve done your homework can set you apart.
However, it’s important to be realistic about your time and energy. Conferences can often be more draining than you think they will be, so it’s wise to resist the temptation to fill every available moment of the day. Instead, plan out just a few high-priority meetings. Deep, genuine conversations will leave a much stronger impression and build stronger relationships than a dozen quick handshakes. This also leaves open spaces in your schedule — both to give yourself those important little mental breaks and to leave yourself room to make unexpected ad-hoc connections.
2. Lead with Curiosity, Not an Agenda
Networking can feel intimidating — especially for someone new to the arena or for the more introverted among us. The good news is that one of the most effective strategies for networking also helps to alleviate the pressure you might be feeling: Lead with curiosity, not an agenda.
Remember, these are just conversations! Your ultimate goal might be to help advance your business in some way, but if you view these meetups primarily as opportunities to pitch yourself or your business, interactions can start to feel transactional instead of authentic.
Instead, make it your goal to be genuinely curious about the other person — their business, their experiences and their journey. Ask thoughtful questions like, “What inspired you to join the AgeTech Collaborative?” or “What personal stories motivate your work?” Questions like these invite deeper, more personal conversations. When people feel seen and heard, they are far more likely to remember you — and to want to build a relationship. These kinds of emotional connections often lead to more lasting and resilient professional bonds than those built only around immediate needs.
In turn, be authentic yourself. Share your passions and experiences honestly, and don’t be afraid to let conversations take a more personal turn. People connect with people, not polished elevator pitches.
3. Look for the Small Moments
At conferences, as in life, some of the best connections happen in the small, unscripted moments. While it's smart to plan a few key meetups ahead of time, leave space for spontaneity.
During sessions, challenge yourself to sit next to someone you don't know. A casual comment about the speaker’s points or a shared laugh over a technical glitch can be the start of a meaningful conversation. At lunch, resist the temptation to stick with familiar faces. Instead, join a table where you don't recognize anyone. It might feel a little uncomfortable at first, but that’s where real opportunities often begin.
Embracing these moments of the unknown opens the door to connections you can’t always plan for — connections that, in hindsight, can feel surprisingly significant. It's not about forcing every interaction to lead somewhere specific; it's about being present, curious and open to letting the unexpected work its quiet magic.
4. Don’t Neglect the Follow-Through
The work of networking doesn’t end when the conference doors close. In fact, some of the most valuable connections are built after the event through thoughtful follow-up.
Follow-up can begin after every conversation — and the sooner the better. In the whirlwind of a busy conference, it’s easy for details to blur together or even drop out of your mind altogether. You can start the follow-through process immediately after each conversation by jotting down a few salient points: what you discussed, any common interests and any potential next steps. These quick notes will be invaluable later, helping you personalize your follow-up and refresh your memory when reconnecting.
Within a few days of the event, send a follow-up message to the people you met. A good follow-up isn’t just a polite nod — it’s an opportunity to reinforce the connection. Reference something specific from your conversation to show that you were engaged, express genuine appreciation for the conversation you had and, if appropriate, suggest a next step. That could be scheduling a follow-up meeting, sharing a relevant article or just letting them know you’d like to stay in touch.
Timely, thoughtful follow-through can turn a fleeting encounter into a lasting professional relationship. It shows respect, enthusiasm and professionalism — qualities that people remember. Plus, it keeps the momentum going long after the conference energy fades.
As you attend the ATC Summit next week, or any conference for that matter, remember that in-person networking isn’t about immediate results so much as it is about starting conversations that continue to grow. Keep these four tips in mind and practice the art of networking — preparation, authenticity and follow-through — and networking at the Summit will be a breeze. We’re excited to see you there!
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