Fall conference season is upon us, and at GradComm, we’re getting ready to hit the road.
As we attend conferences across the country, we also get a front-row seat to the conversations happening in higher education. The topics evolve from year to year. Right now, AI is everywhere. Colleges are talking about how it’s changing marketing, communications, enrollment, student services and the way we work.
But amid all that change, there’s one thing we continue to notice: people are hungry for connection.
They want to talk to people who understand their challenges. They want to hear what other colleges are doing. They want to exchange ideas, compare experiences, and realize they aren’t the only ones trying to figure something out.
That may be one of the most valuable things conferences still offer.
The Best Conversations Aren’t Always on the Agenda
Some of the most useful conference moments happen between sessions, over coffee, at a reception, or while sitting next to someone you’ve never met.
But networking can be awkward, especially when the default questions tend to be, “What do you do?” or “Where are you from?”
A better question can lead to a much better conversation.
As we head into fall conference season, here are five questions I’ve found can help you skip the small talk and make more meaningful connections.
1. “What does a typical day look like in your role?”
Instead of simply asking, “What do you do?” this question gives you a better sense of what someone’s work actually looks like. It can quickly uncover their responsibilities, priorities, and challenges—giving you plenty of places to take the conversation next.
2. “How long have you been in your position?” or “How long have you been at your institution?”
The answer can tell you a lot about where someone is in their professional journey. If they’re new to the role, they may still be learning and looking for ideas or guidance. If they’ve been in the position for years, they may have a wealth of experience to share.
Either way, it gives you an opportunity to go deeper than job titles
3. “What projects are you working on right now?”
This is one of my favorites because it creates an immediate opportunity to find common ground. Maybe you’re tackling similar challenges. Maybe you’ve tried something they’re considering. Or maybe their answer introduces you to an idea you hadn’t thought about before.
Don’t approach the conversation thinking about what you can get from it. Listen for what you can learn, share, or contribute.
4. “Have you been enjoying the conference?”
Yes, it’s a simple question, but the follow-up is where it gets interesting.
Ask which sessions they’ve enjoyed, what they’ve learned or whether anything has surprised them. You might hear a takeaway from a session you missed or get a completely different perspective on something you both attended.
5. “What brought you here?”
This is a low-pressure opener that can go in a lot of directions. Maybe they’re presenting. Maybe they’re looking for solutions to a specific challenge. Maybe they simply wanted to reconnect with colleagues.
Listen to their answer, then share what brought you to the conference, too. The goal isn’t to conduct an interview. The best networking conversations are an exchange.
Connection Is Still the Point
There will be plenty to talk about this. AI will undoubtedly continue to shape conference agendas. We’ll hear about new tools, changing student behaviors, enrollment challenges, emerging strategies, and what’s next for higher education.
And we should. Those conversations matter.
But conferences also give us the opportunity to sit across from another person, hear what they’re experiencing and discover that we might have more in common than we realized.
So, this conference season, attend the sessions. Take notes. Learn about the latest tools and trends.
But also introduce yourself to the person sitting next to you. Ask a better question. And then really listen to the answer.
And if you see me or the GradComm team at a conference this fall, come say hello. I’d love to connect. And don’t be surprised if I ask what projects you’re working on.
Check out our events page for where we will be this fall.
