Shatter the Ice: My Best Networking Trick

By Chris, Account Executive | May 2, 2019

“I came over because I saw the Mets hat.”

Always looking to sink our teeth into new industries, I attended the 2019 MANY (Museum Association of New York) Conference in Cooperstown, New York a few weeks ago on behalf of BBG&G.

Our booth was decorated with the usual props: branded table runner, agency brochure, large banners flanking each side of the booth, business cards, VR goggles, and a video highlighting our agency’s outstanding creative. Oh, one other thing—my favorite New York Mets cap. Hey, it’s Cooperstown, after all.

As much as I love my Mets, this cap was here for a different reason: to serve as my ice-breaking prop at the conference.

No matter how extroverted and confident you are, attending large conferences or networking events on your own can be daunting, especially if you’re not acquainted with many people who are attending.

I’ve attended numerous conferences and networking events, and the ice-breaking prop is the most effective trick/tip that I’ve developed.

Think of it like a statement piece: if your booth is your outfit, your ice-breaking prop is that bold paisley tie. Sure, your well-cut navy-blue suit is appealing, but your bold tie is what draws the crowd in.

Overheard in the exhibition hall:

“Big Mets fan? I have something to tell you, but you need to sit down first…(I sit down, laughing, then get back up)…no, seriously, sit down…I have a 1962 New York Mets Yearbook (their inaugural season) autographed by the entire team. Find me at the Hall of Fame later, I’ll bring it with me and show it to you.”

“I came over because I saw the Mets hat. What do you do? Oh wow, that’s too funny—I just received a grant to hire a marketing agency.”

Just as an inside fastball sets up the outside breaking ball on the next pitch, bringing the right ice-breaking prop and leveraging it appropriately will not only make you feel more comfortable when attending networking events or conferences, but it will help start a conversation that will hopefully end in the start of a new relationship.