Working as an account manager and being part of VNO-NCW MKB Noord, attending networking events is a regular part of my work.
Still, I’ll be honest with you: I’m an introvert.
I thrive in one-on-one conversations, in calm environments where there is space for depth and reflection. Large networking events are a different story: you walk into a big hall, surrounded by unfamiliar faces, loud conversations, and already-formed groups.
And if you’re an international professional in the Netherlands, there can be an extra layer to navigate: you’re not only meeting new people, but also figuring out how networking works in the Dutch professional context.
Over time, I’ve learned that you don’t need to become more outgoing to network effectively. What you need is a strategy. Here are 5 practical tips that have helped me navigate large networking events in the Netherlands as an introvert.
1. Check the participant list before the event
If the event provides a participant list, use it.
Instead of walking into a room of 100 unfamiliar people and wondering who you should talk to, identify two or three people you would genuinely like to meet. Look at their role, organisation, and background. Check out their LinkedIn profile beforehand and think about why you would like to speak with them.
You don’t need a complicated networking strategy. Just having a few people in mind can make the event feel much less overwhelming. Morely importantly: two or three meaningful conversations are often more valuable than trying to meet everyone in the room.
2. Prepare three easy questions
Before you attend a networking event, prepare three simple questions that you can use with different people. For example:
- “What brings you to this event?”
- “What are you currently working on?”
- “How did you get into this field?”
The goal isn’t to interrogate someone. It’s simply to have a few networking conversation starters ready so you don’t have to think of something on the spot.
And once the conversation starts, listen and ask follow-up questions.
You may be surprised by how much easier networking becomes when you focus less on what you should say next and more on being genuinely interested in the person in front of you.
3. Ask for permission to start a conversation
One of my favourite networking openers came from a woman I met at the Nieuwjaarsreceptie Noord-Nederland. While we were waiting for the presentations to start, she sat down next to me, smiled, and said:
“Mag ik me even voorstellen?”
(May I introduce myself?)
I loved it.
It’s simple, respectful, and removes the awkwardness of simply walking up to a stranger. There is no clever opening line or pressure to impress. Just a straightforward invitation to connect.
Later that evening, I used the same phrase myself.
It worked.
Sometimes, the easiest way to start a conversation at a networking event is simply to ask. (very Dutch, if you ask me)
4. Remember: leaving a networking conversation is not rude
One of the things that can make networking events exhausting is the fear of getting stuck in a conversation.
But leaving a conversation at a networking event is not rude. It is part of networking.
You may say:
- “It was really nice meeting you. I just saw someone I wanted to say hi to.”
- “It was a pleasure speaking with you. I’m going to grab another coffee, but I hope we connect again.”
- “Leuk om je gesproken te hebben! Ik ga even een rondje doen.”
A networking event is designed for people to move around, meet others, and have multiple conversations. So it is perfectly normal to leave a conversation at some point.
5. Follow up right away
For many people, it is difficult to have an in-depth conversation at a large networking event. Therefore, if you met someone and had a good conversation, don’t let the connection disappear into a pile of business cards and LinkedIn notifications.
Follow up while the conversation is still fresh.
Connect on LinkedIn and mention where you met. If there was a genuine reason to continue the conversation, don’t be afraid to suggest a one-on-one meeting.
For example:
“Leuk je gisteren gesproken te hebben tijdens [event]. Ik vond ons gesprek over [topic] interessant. Zullen we binnenkort eens een kop koffie drinken en verder praten?”
You don’t need to ask everyone you meet for a coffee. The point is to recognise which conversations have potential and take the next step when it makes sense.
For me, this is where networking becomes more meaningful: the large networking event creates the introduction, but the one-on-one conversation is where the relationship can develop.
My Thrive Advice
You don’t need to change your personality to network effectively in the Netherlands.
You don’t need to meet everyone in the room, be the loudest person at the table, or spend the entire evening making small talk.
Go in with a plan, focus on a few meaningful conversations, and give yourself permission to network in a way that suits you.
Networking is not about collecting as many contacts as possible. It’s about creating the conditions for meaningful professional relationships to develop.
