You've signed up for The Learning Ideas Conference 2021. Now what? No doubt, you want to network. Since the conference is virtual, you won’t have those random run-ins with interesting people in the hallway or lunch with a random table of people. Who says you won’t? Here are some ways you can successfully network at The Learning Ideas Conference this year:

• Set your networking goals.

• Update your LinkedIn profile.

• Start using a specific Learning Ideas Conference hashtag on Twitter in advance.

• Complete all the fields for your conference profile.

• Search the profiles for people with similar interests.

• Make use of the Whova platform's networking features: hang-out rooms, impromptu networking, Expo booths, and such.

• Participate in the conference backchannels such as Chat. Post on social media platforms before, during, and after the event using the conference hashtags. Share your insightful thoughts, ask questions, answer other's questions.

• Spot chances to connect with others by paying attention to the conference events and limiting your multi-tasking.

• Participate in extracurricular activities and games. If there are games and social times at the end of the day, participate in them.

• Volunteer to write a blog for the conference's blog.

• Connect with people after the event. Ask questions to initiate conversations. If someone has a question you can’t answer, use your network to help them find someone who might be able to help. Karma will come back and someone will help you later.

Once you've built your network, what do you do with it? How do you groom it? I like to set up a virtual lunch with someone in my network once a month. We usually talk shop, but not always. Once the pandemic hit, the conversations now starts with "how are you doing" and then we talk shop.

I offer you two challenges:

1. Be proactive in your networking at the conference. Add at least five people from the conference to your network.

2. Set up two virtual get-togethers when you get home, one with one of your Learning Ideas Conference network additions, and one with someone from your existing network.

How do YOU plan to network at the event? Share your thoughts in the comments below.