Partnering conferences, whether virtual or in-person, offer companies invaluable opportunities for networking, uncovering potential partners and advancing business growth. Whether your goal is to raise funding, explore licensing deals or connect with potential collaborators, your success depends on thoughtful preparation. In this article, we share five tips to help you get the most out of your next partnering conference.
1. Set Clear and Achievable Goals
Start by defining what success looks like for your company. Are you aiming to secure five investor meetings? Validate interest in a lead asset? Or build your licensing pipeline? Your objectives will guide how you prepare, where you focus your time and which sessions or networking opportunities you should prioritize. Setting measurable goals also helps evaluate conference ROI afterward.
2. Research Attendees in Advance
Before the conference starts, take some time to explore the conference system and identify potential collaborators, investors, or customers. Conference attendee lists are often available well in advance. If the conference provides a partnering platform or app, use it to connect with attendees by sending effective meeting requests to set up meetings before the event.
Tools like Biotechgate’s BD and Investor Database allow you to pre-screen potential investors, making it easier to prioritize meetings with high-potential contacts.
3. Develop a Flexible Yet Focused Agenda
Map out key sessions and schedule confirmed meetings, but keep time open for serendipitous opportunities. Many events allow you to sync your calendar across sessions and meetings – take advantage of this, but don’t overbook.
If you’re attending with a team, divide and conquer. Designate roles (e.g. investor outreach, competitive intel gathering) to maximize your presence at the conference.
4. Take Advantage of Social Media
Be part of the conversation. Use conference hashtags (e.g. #BIOEurope, #BTGDigitalPartnering) to engage with other attendees and increase your visibility. Consider posting your meeting availability or your company’s booth number.
Tip for Humanizing Your Brand: Showcase moments from the conference, like team photos or behind-the-scenes updates. Tagging other attendees or speakers in posts can help spark interactions and demonstrate your brand’s presence and personality.
5. Follow-Up to Maximize Partnerships
After the conference, prioritize follow-up within the first week. Send personalized messages that reference your conversation, thank them for their time, and suggest a follow-up meeting. This post-event follow-up solidifies connections and demonstrates genuine interest, whether or not an immediate partnership materializes.
A simple message like:
“Hi [name]. It was great chatting to you at [conference]. I really enjoyed our conversation about [topic]. If you’re open to it, I’d love to continue the discussion and explore potential ways we might collaborate. Looking forward to staying in touch!”
…goes a long way
Bonus: Tap into Biotechgate’s Partnering Events
For companies looking to leverage the benefits of digital networking, Biotechgate Digital Partnering is an invaluable platform. With features designed to streamline digital conferencing, it allows participants to connect with industry leaders across the globe, schedule virtual one-on-one meetings, and gain access to potential partners beyond the constraints of travel.