Picture this: You're at a huge industry conference. Let's call our friend Sarah. She's surrounded by 2,000 people. She wants to meet other marketing directors, but she has no idea where to start. She ends up having the same small talk over and over. "So, what do you do?" By the end, she's tired and isn't sure she made one good connection.

Or think about David. He's an event organizer who spent $50,000 on his company's big yearly event. Afterwards, what did people say? They said they didn't make any good business connections. All that money, and the most important goal wasn't met. This isn't just about feeling awkward. It's about missing huge opportunities that could change your business. When real connections don't happen, everyone loses.

But what if the problem isn't just the event? What if it's the questions to ask during networking? What if I told you there's a way to turn any chat into a great conversation?

You're in the right place. These aren't your normal, boring questions. These are conversation starters that help you build real friendships, find new ideas, and make every event a success. Let's dive in.

1. What brought you here tonight/today?

Imagine you're at a giant trade show with thousands of people. You want to talk to someone, but "So, what do you do?" feels boring. This is where a simple question can change everything. Asking "What brought you here today?" is one of the best questions to ask during networking. It's a friendly, easy way to learn what someone is hoping to do at the event.

This question helps you understand their goals right away. Are they here to find new customers? Are they looking for new team members? Or are they just learning about something new? Their answer tells you exactly how to have a good conversation with them.

Why This Question Works So Well

Instead of making someone give a boring speech about their job, this question lets them tell a story. It shows you're curious about them, not just their job title. What they say gives you clues about what they care about and what problems they need to solve.

For example, if someone at a marketing event says, "I'm here to learn about using AI for writing," you have an instant connection! You can share what you know, ask about their challenges, or even introduce them to someone else working on the same thing. A simple question turns a random chat into a helpful connection.

How to Use This Question Effectively

• Listen for Key Words: Pay attention to what they say. If they mention "growing our team" or "finding a new partner," you know what to talk about next.

• Share Your 'Why' Too: After they answer, tell them why you're at the event. This makes the conversation feel like a two-way street. For example, "That's cool! I'm here because my company wants to find better ways to work together."

• Connect it to a Bigger Goal: Use their answer to see how you could help each other. If they're looking for new software and you know a great company, you've just helped them out.

Pro-Tip: Don't ask this question if the answer is super obvious, like at a required company meeting. But in most other places, it's a great way to start a real conversation.

2. What exciting projects are you working on right now?

Imagine you're talking to someone important, but the chat feels stuck on job titles. Asking "What do you do?" can feel like a test. A much better question is, "What exciting projects are you working on right now?" This is one of the most powerful questions to ask during networking because it gets right to what a person is passionate about.

This question lets people share what they are excited about, not just their job title. You learn what they are busy building or solving. Their answer gives you a real look into their work and shows you where you might be able to help. This turns a simple chat into a real opportunity.

Why This Question Works So Well

Instead of a boring, practiced answer, this question gets people to tell a story about their work. It shows you care about what they're actually doing. Their answer is like a treasure map. It shows you what they're good at, what's important to them, and where they might need help.

For example, if a business owner at a tech event says, "We're building a new app to help people learn languages," you can ask more questions. You can talk about the hard parts, share what you know, or introduce them to someone who can help. You suddenly become a helpful person, not just another face in the crowd.

How to Use This Question Effectively

• Be Genuinely Curious: Listen closely and ask more questions about their project. Ask about their goals and what they've learned.

• Find Things in Common: Look for ways their projects connect with your own work or interests. This helps you find ways you can help each other.

• Share Your Projects Too: After they share, be ready to talk about a cool project of your own. This keeps the conversation fair and interesting for both of you.

• Offer to Help: If they talk about a problem and you know someone who can help, offer an introduction. Saying, "That sounds tricky. I know a person who is an expert at that" can be very helpful.

Pro-Tip: Use this question to find out what someone really loves about their job. People get excited when they talk about work they care about. It’s a great way to see if you can build a real connection.

3. How did you get started in your field?

Imagine you're at an event. Instead of asking the usual "What do you do?", you ask something that lets them tell their story. Asking "How did you get started in your field?" is one of the best questions to ask during networking. It goes beyond a job title and helps you connect with their personal journey. It’s a great way to build a real friendship.

This question turns a stuffy, formal chat into a fun and friendly conversation. All of a sudden, you're not just talking to a "Sales Manager." You're talking to a person who might have started in a totally different job, showing you their hidden talents and passions. Their story helps you understand who they are and what makes them tick.

Why This Question Works So Well

This question works because everyone loves to tell their story. It skips the boring business talk and gets to their personal story. You learn about big changes they made, lucky breaks they got, and the choices that made them who they are today.

For example, a computer programmer might tell you they used to be a teacher. This shows you they have amazing skills in explaining things to people. Or an event planner might tell you they used to work for a charity, which shows they care about helping others. You can learn so much by hearing how people get into event planning or any other job. This information is way more valuable than a job title.

How to Use This Question Effectively

• Listen for Big Moments: Pay attention to important changes in their story. Ask follow-up questions like, "What made you decide to do that?" to show you're really listening.

• Share Your Own Story: After they share, tell a little bit about your own journey. This makes it a two-way conversation and builds a stronger connection.

• Find Things in Common: Look for things you share. Did you both switch careers? Did you go to the same school? Finding these connections makes you more memorable.

Pro-Tip: Ask this question after you've chatted for a little bit. It's a great way to make a connection stronger after you've gotten past the first "hello."

4. What trends are you seeing in your industry?

Imagine you're at an event, and instead of asking about someone's job, you ask a bigger question. Asking, "What trends are you seeing in your industry?" is one of the smartest questions to ask during networking. It shows you're not just interested in their business card; you're interested in their ideas.

This question turns a normal chat into a smart conversation. It lets the other person show off what they know and share what excites or worries them about the future. Their answer gives you a peek into how they think and what problems they are trying to solve for their company.

Why This Question Works So Well

Instead of a boring pitch, this question leads to a thoughtful discussion. It makes you both feel like smart colleagues, not just two people trying to sell something. The ideas shared can show you new opportunities, ways you could work together, or problems you both face. This builds a much stronger relationship.

For example, a person working in healthcare might talk about how more people are seeing doctors online. This could show a big need for better computer security. If you work in tech, you just found a big problem you might be able to help with. This changes the chat from a simple "hello" to a problem-solving meeting. It is important to stay on top of these changes, as shown in reports about the state of event networking in 2025.

How to Use This Question Effectively

• Share Your Own Ideas: After they answer, share a trend you're seeing. This makes it a two-way conversation and shows you know your stuff too. For example, "That's interesting. In my job, we're seeing that customers want everything to be made just for them."

• Connect it to Their Job: Ask a follow-up question like, "How is that trend changing what your team does every day?" This makes the big idea feel more real.

• Look for Ways to Work Together: Listen for trends that connect to your own work. If a real estate agent talks about more people working from home, it could give you ideas for new software or office furniture.

Pro-Tip: This question is great for talking to experienced leaders and managers who have a big-picture view of their industry. Use it to find people who are thinking about the future.

5. Who would be your ideal connection to meet?

Remember David, the event organizer? His attendees didn't make good connections. This question fixes that problem. It turns every conversation into a chance to help someone. Asking "Who would be your ideal connection to meet?" is one of the most helpful questions to ask during networking. It changes you from someone who is just there to someone who is a connector.

This kind question shows you care. Instead of asking what they can do for you, you’re asking how you can help them. This simple change builds trust and makes people see you as a helpful, well-connected person. Their answer tells you exactly what they need, whether they're looking for someone to invest in their company or a new client.

Why This Question Works So Well

This question turns a simple chat into a team effort. It shows you are listening to help, not just to get something for yourself. When someone feels you actually care about their success, they are much more likely to remember you and help you in return.

For example, if a marketing person says they need a good artist, and you know a great one, you can introduce them. This one helpful act is more powerful than swapping a dozen business cards. It's the secret that super-connectors know: the best way to build your own network is by helping other people build theirs. This is exactly what good event tools should help with automatically.

How to Use This Question Effectively

• Ask for Details: Once they tell you who they want to meet (like "investors"), ask more questions. "What kind of investors?" or "Are you focused on a certain industry?" This helps you make a better introduction.

• Be Honest: Only offer to make introductions you can actually make. It's better to say, "I'm not sure if I know anyone, but I'll keep my eyes open," than to make a promise you can't keep.

• Ask for Help in Return: After you’ve offered to help, it’s okay to say, "I'm hoping to meet people in shipping. Do you know anyone?" This makes it a win-win for both of you.

Pro-Tip: Keep a small notebook or use your phone to write down who people want to meet. Following up after the event with a nice introduction email will show everyone you're a great person to know.

6. What's the biggest challenge your industry/company is facing right now?

Imagine you're at a big event, and every conversation feels fake. You want to have a real talk and show you're not just collecting names. Asking about challenges is one of the best questions to ask during networking. It gets right to what really matters to someone at work. It helps you find their biggest problems and shows you're interested in helping.

This question makes the conversation feel more important. It makes you seem like a smart friend instead of just another contact. Whether their problem is keeping good employees, getting supplies on time, or using new technology, their answer helps you understand their world and where you might be able to help.

Why This Question Works So Well

This question shows you care and understand business. You're showing that you know every business has problems and you want to know about theirs. Instead of asking what they do, you're asking about the problems they're trying to solve. This is much more interesting and helpful. It opens the door to a much better conversation.

For example, at a tech event, someone might say, "Our biggest problem is keeping our best engineers from leaving." This is great information! You can ask more questions, share ideas, or connect them with someone in your network who can help. You've gone from just meeting someone to actually helping them.

How to Use This Question Effectively

• Listen for Where You Can Help: Pay attention to problems that you or someone you know can solve. If a store owner talks about shipping problems and you know a shipping expert, you have a way to help.

• Ask More Questions: Don't just stop at their first answer. Ask things like, "What have you tried so far?" or "How is that affecting your team?" This shows you're really listening.

• Share Your Own Experiences: Tell a short story about a similar problem you've seen. For example, "That's a tough one. A friend of mine solved that by starting a new training program, and it really helped."

• Be a Connector: Your goal isn't always to solve the problem yourself. Just connecting them to a helpful person or article can build a lot of trust.

Pro-Tip: Ask this question with real curiosity, not as a trick to sell something. Your voice should sound helpful and friendly. If you jump right into your sales pitch, it will feel fake.

7. How do you like to stay connected with your professional network?

You've just had a great talk at an event. You found things in common and a way you might work together later. The usual "Let's connect on LinkedIn" is okay, but it doesn't mean you'll actually talk again. This is where asking "How do you like to stay connected?" becomes one of the smartest questions to ask during networking. It makes sure your next steps are welcome and will work.

This question is very polite. It shows you know that everyone likes to communicate differently. One person might love LinkedIn, while another might prefer a quick coffee meeting every few months. By asking, you show that you respect their time and want to build a real relationship, not just add another name to your list. Their answer tells you exactly how to keep in touch.

Why This Question Works So Well

Instead of guessing the best way to follow up, you get a clear answer. This simple question stops your email from getting lost or your LinkedIn request from feeling like spam. It shows you're a considerate person and builds a relationship based on respect.

For example, imagine you meet a busy boss who says, "To be honest, my email is crazy. The best way to reach me is to connect on LinkedIn and share a cool article once in a while." Now you know exactly what to do! You won't annoy them with emails they don't want. Instead, you can help them in a way they like. This smart move turns a quick meeting into a long-term friendship.

How to Use This Question Effectively

• Listen and Do What They Say: Whatever they prefer, do it. If they like to check in every few months, set a reminder on your calendar. If they use a special app, make a note to talk to them there.

• Share Your Preference Too: After they answer, tell them how you like to keep in touch. You could say, "That's good to know. For me, a quick email after we meet helps me remember our chat." This makes it a two-way street.

• Make Your Follow-Up Personal: Use their answer to guide what you do next. Simply remembering and respecting how they like to connect will make you stand out. You can find more ideas for good follow-up in guides about post-event survey questions, which often focus on how people like to communicate.

Pro-Tip: Ask this question at the end of a great conversation when you feel like you've really connected. It's a natural and smart way to wrap up your talk and plan how to stay in touch.

Turn Great Questions into Guaranteed Connections

Having the right questions is like having a superpower. You now have a toolbox full of questions that go beyond small talk and help you build real friendships at work. From easy questions like, "What brought you here today?" to deeper ones like, "What's the biggest challenge your company is facing?", each one can unlock a great conversation. But the real magic isn't just in asking. It's in listening to the answers to find ways you can help each other.

But what happens after that amazing conversation? At last month's trade show, Maria collected 47 business cards. She asked great questions and felt excited. But when she got back to her office, the cards were just names. She couldn't remember who was who. The great conversations were forgotten, and she never followed up. This is where most networking fails.

The Bridge Between a Good Chat and a Real Connection

The secret that most event organizers don't know is this: the hardest part isn't starting the conversation, it's continuing it. All your great questions are wasted if the connection is lost. You might be wondering, "How do I make sure these great connections don't get lost in a pile of business cards?"

This is the exact problem Event Butler was built to solve. It makes sure the great talks you have turn into real, scheduled meetings. Instead of making people download another confusing app they'll never use, Event Butler works through something you already have in your pocket: WhatsApp.

Our smart AI doesn't leave networking to luck. It suggests the perfect people for you to meet based on your goals. Then, it does the most important part: it automatically schedules the meetings, sends calendar invites, and even gives you ideas for what to talk about. The result? A 94% meeting show-up rate. We turn "nice to meet you" moments into real meetings that help you grow. Knowing the right questions to ask during networking is the first step. Event Butler makes sure you can take the next one.

Ready to make sure every great conversation at your event leads to a real connection? Event Butler by SyncLab turns networking from a game of luck into a smart system for success. It makes sure the amazing questions you ask lead to guaranteed follow-ups. Discover how to get a 94% meeting success rate at your next event by visiting Event Butler by SyncLab.