How to Make Winning Connections at In-Person Sports Industry Networking Events

Finding the perfect job and growing your career requires building strong professional connections through strategic networking. This is especially true for the sports industry, where “who you know” can make all the difference in landing a competitive opportunity.  

While online networking – such as connecting with people on LinkedIn and other forums or participating in virtual career fairs – can be effective, nothing quite beats the power of face-to-face interactions.

Whether you’re attending a large nationally recognized conference, a smaller local chapter meeting, or something in between, in-person events give you the chance to meet influential professionals, mingle with peers, learn about the latest sports industry trends, and create lasting relationships.

Ready to give sports industry networking a go? Here’s how to network in sports – in person.

What Sports Industry Networking Events Should I Attend?

The sports industry holds a variety of conferences, seminars, and other industry events every year focused on a range of topics and sub-sectors, such as sports media, business, facility management, and athlete representation. Therefore, ensure the event or events you attend align with your career goals. For example, if you want to work in sports broadcasting, attending an event focused on sports facility management might not be the best use of your time.

It’s also important to research each event that piques your interest to see who typically attends. Most large conferences provide an attendee prospectus as well as a list of speakers and exhibitors for current and previous years’ events. Ask yourself, would these attendees make strong networking connections?  Are they affiliated with companies that could be potential employers?

As you vet potential events, don’t overlook smaller networking gatherings like local chapter meetings, job fairs, university events, and happy hours. These can be less intimidating and highly effective for making connections. Plus, they may be more cost-effective to attend and require minimal travel.

Examples of Sports Conferences

Not sure where to start looking for potential networking events? Here are a few widely popular annual sports industry conferences to consider:

• National Sports Forum (NASSM): Presented by the North American Society for Sport Management, this annual conference brings together academics, industry professionals, and students to exchange ideas, present research, and discuss matters about the field of sport management.
• SBJ CAA World Congress of Sports: World Congress is the largest and most prestigious sports business conference in North America. The program addresses the business of sports from the perspective of the industry’s top executives.
• SVG College Summit: This summit brings together the college sports video production community with two days of dynamic presentations, expert panel discussions, technology-driven case studies, behind-the-scenes facility tours, and invaluable networking opportunities.
• Sports ETA Annual Symposium: The Sports Events & Tourism Association’s (Sports ETA) annual meeting is where sports destinations meet with hundreds of decision-makers responsible for organizing sports events.
• Sports Industry Networking & Career Conference (SINC): SINC is the premier sports industry conference where college students and career changers come together with sports industry professionals across a variety of areas including leagues, teams, media, agencies, esports, venues, Olympics, and more.

How to Prepare for a Sports Industry Networking Event

Doing as much leg work as you can in advance will help maximize your experience at your sports networking event. As you research the lineup of speakers, exhibitors, and other notable attendees, make a list of people you want to meet. Look them up on LinkedIn for further insights into their roles, employers, and areas of expertise, and see if you share any mutual connections that you can namedrop if you speak.  

Next, review the agenda for the conference and the venue layout, and create a game plan. Identify the sessions, networking breaks, and social events that you wish to attend and put together a schedule to ensure you’re in the right place at the right time. Often, large conferences will provide a downloadable app that includes interactive agendas, speaker bios, exhibit hall maps, and other useful information to keep you organized.

What to Bring & What to Wear to a Sports Networking Event

You may be asking, what should I bring to a sports networking event and what should I wear? You’ll want to bring print copies of your resume, business cards (if you have them), a notebook or notetaking app on your phone or laptop, and something to write with. 

As for how to dress – first impressions matter, so be mindful of your attire. Research the conference’s dress code; some conferences are business casual, while others may require more formal attire. If the dress code is not explicitly stated on the conference website, check out photos of past events on the site or social media pages to see what others have worn.

Creating & Practicing Your Elevator Pitch

Your elevator pitch is a clear, concise, 30-second spiel about who you are, what you do, and what you’re looking to achieve. This is your opportunity to introduce yourself, highlight your skills, and express your career goals in a compelling way. Develop your pitch and practice it so that when you meet someone new at your event, you are ready to dive in. Here’s an example:

“Hi, I’m Alex, a recent graduate with a passion for sports media and digital storytelling. I’ve worked on social media campaigns for Maryland football and basketball and am looking for opportunities in sports broadcasting where I can apply the tactics I’ve learned for elevating engagement across multiple platforms. I’d love to hear about your experiences in the industry and any advice you have for someone breaking in.”

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Bracing for Small Talk

Professional networking in sports requires confidence and the ability to strike up meaningful conversations. But if you’re not a pro at small talk, you might want to practice some useful conversation starters to avoid the dreaded awkward silence. Here are some useful conversation starters to keep up your sleeve:

• “What brought you to this event?”
• “Where are you from?”
• “What’s been your biggest takeaway from the conference so far?”
• “How did you get started in your career?”

How to Make Connections at a Sports Industry Event

With your game plan ready and elevator pitch memorized, it’s time to put your networking skills to the test at your sports industry conference of choice. While some interactions may be on the fly (for example, you might run into a keynote speaker in the lunch buffet line), others can be more carefully planned and intentional.

Look for designated opportunities to chat with potential connections, such as immediately after a session or presentation, during a networking happy hour or “business card exchange,” or at their exhibitor or sponsor booth. Sports industry conferences also tend to feature extra sports-related social events after hours that allow for more personalized networking and relationship-building – for instance, attendees might receive complimentary group tickets to a baseball game or go on a golf outing.

When networking at sports events, make the most of your interactions by approaching conversations with confidence and enthusiasm, speaking clearly and professionally, listening actively, and asking thoughtful questions. After you meet someone, take notes immediately – write down key points about your conversation and how you might follow up.

During the event, you might also use social media to find and reinforce connections. Share photos, insights, and key takeaways from sessions you attend. Tag and mention people you meet or hear speak, and use event hashtags to increase your post visibility and engagement with others at the conference.

What to Do After a Sports Networking Event

Networking doesn’t end when the conference is over. Following up is crucial to solidifying your new connections. Send personalized emails or LinkedIn messages to those you meet within a few days after the event. Thank them for their time, and reference something specific from your conversation to make your message memorable. Here’s a sample follow-up email:

“Hi Jim,

It was great meeting you at last week’s forum! I really enjoyed our conversation about AI’s evolving role in sports management. I’d love to stay in touch and continue learning from your insights. Let’s connect on LinkedIn or schedule a time to chat further. Looking forward to keeping in touch!

Jeff

555-555-5555”

Pursue additional opportunities to stay engaged with your new contacts, such as commenting on their social media posts and sharing articles and insights relevant to their interest. As your relationship progresses, you may inquire about potential job opportunities or request an informational interview at their company. You might also ask them to introduce you to one of their connections who could help you further your career in sports.

Ready, Set, Network!

Networking at sports industry events requires preparation, confidence, and follow-through. By identifying the right events, setting clear goals, and engaging with professionals genuinely, you can build valuable relationships. Whether you’re attending a major conference like the National Sports Forum or a smaller networking meetup, making the most of these opportunities can lead to exciting career prospects in the sports industry.

Learn more about networking and other job search strategies in WorkInSports’ Job Seeker Resource Center.