🗓️Don’t Know Anyone at the Conference? Go Anyway
I’ve been going to the MSAE conference with an individual membership for a couple of years, and I can admit that going alone can feel scary. It seems like everyone is already in a pre-established group, with their inside jokes and years of shared office history. And I have a feeling I’m not the only one who feels this way.
But I don’t know, maybe it’s an advantage? When you attend something with a group of coworkers, the natural inclination is to stick together. You sit at the same tables, attend the same breakout sessions, and inevitably end up talking about the same daily projects. Going solo gets you out of that routine and gives you the freedom to choose the sessions, conversations, and experiences that are most useful to your professional development. You meet new people and hear new ideas, and that’s incredibly rewarding.
Anyways, that still doesn’t solve the not knowing anyone part. So if you’re still thinking of going, here are three things that have worked for me to break the barrier down:
1️⃣ TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE EXCURSIONS
Jumping right into the activities is the best way to break the ice without the pressure of a massive ballroom. By the time the main opening reception rolls around, you already have a handful of familiar faces to connect with.
2️⃣ EMBRACE THE “MIND IF I SIT HERE?” QUESTION
It takes a brief moment of courage to walk up to an established group and ask if you can take an empty chair. But what I’ve found is that people tend to be thrilled to meet a new face. Think about it, how would you feel if you were with your coworkers and someone asked if they could sit with you?
3️⃣ TALK TO THE SPEAKERS
Heard a presentation that you liked? Let them know. Tell them your experience with the subject. Speakers tend to enjoy the topic they present at conferences and it takes the guesswork out of finding a conversation starter.
I still think about this presentation by Pete last year.
The instinct to hide is natural. But what I’ve learned from past MSAE conferences is that a few seconds of awkwardness is worth it. So if the unfamiliar setting is holding you back: go anyway. You might be surprised.
💡Learn more about registering for the 2026 Annual Conference and then choose the sessions, conversations, and experiences that are most useful to your professional development.