Networking While Traveling: Making Connections in a New City
Traveling often takes you out of your usual circle. A conversation on a train or a chance meeting in a café can lead to unexpected ideas.
Networking While Traveling: Making Connections in a New City
Traveling often takes you out of your usual circle. A conversation on a train or a chance meeting in a café can lead to unexpected ideas. I once found a project partner exactly that way, just chatting in Istanbul. Not everything always goes smoothly, but if you prepare a bit, your chances will increase. The main thing is not to wait for everything to happen on its own.
Preparation
Preparation helps you settle in faster. I usually start a couple of weeks in advance.
Check events in the city. Look at Meetup.com, Eventbrite, or Time Out. In Moscow, open IT conferences often take place where you can drop in on a session and meet people. Choose two or three events that interest you and register in advance. Bring business cards or open a QR code with LinkedIn. This makes exchanging contacts easier.
Update your social media profiles. On LinkedIn or Instagram, mention that you're briefly in a new city. A post like “Hello from Barcelona, looking for conversations about startups” sometimes attracts locals. Add hashtags #NetworkingInBarcelona or #DigitalNomad. Live photos from the trip make your profile more noticeable.
Write to acquaintances in that city. On LinkedIn, check who among your contacts is there now. A message like “Hi Anna! I see you're in London. I'll be there next week, maybe coffee?” often works. Even old connections sometimes revive. Out of five such messages, I usually get two meetings. Prepare a couple of questions about local trends; the conversation will flow more easily.
On Location
Once you arrive, it's better to get out of the room right away. The city itself suggests where to go.
Visit a coworking space. At WeWork or Impact Hub in Prague, there are always plenty of freelancers and expats. Sit down to work, ask about Wi-Fi, and a conversation will start on its own. In New York, they often host free happy hours. Sometimes a simple phrase is enough: “Cool bag, where did you get it?” That's how I exchanged contacts with a designer in Berlin.
Attend local events. Festivals, markets, and exhibitions are good for informal conversations. In Tokyo at matsuri, everyone easily talks to strangers. In Europe, you can drop by an art exhibition. Dress comfortably but not too formally. A short 30-second story about yourself sometimes helps grab attention.
Find people through apps. Couchsurfing, Bumble Bizz, or even Tinder are sometimes used for networking. Write that you're looking for company for a street art walk in Berlin. Filter by profession and meet in public places. This way you get not only connections but also useful tips about the city.
After Returning
Once back, don't put off communication. I spend an hour or two a week on this.
Write to new acquaintances. In the first two days, send a message: “Glad to have discussed design in Amsterdam. Shall we share links?” Comment on their posts on LinkedIn or write on WhatsApp. If a business idea came up, suggest a webinar. Set reminders once a month so connections don't fade.
Suggest a meeting in your city. If they mentioned a trip to your city, write: “In Kyiv? Let's meet, I'll show you places for networking.” You can gather a small group. That's how I turned a random acquaintance into a joint project.
Networking while traveling is a combination of preparation and luck. Not everything will work right away, but over time the results become noticeable.
Read Also
Turn ideas into real connections
Join Community Network to meet relevant people, discover trusted communities, and get introductions that actually make sense.
