When I considered attending my first EAGx, I almost didn’t go. Coming from mathematics, I thought “conference” meant long technical talks, questions to show off, and only occasional chats squeezed between sessions.
EAG(x) is nothing like that. Yes, there are talks and workshops, but the real value is in the conversations - with peers, collaborators, mentors, or people you didn’t know you needed to meet. The structure is closer to a large-scale networking event, with tools and formats designed to maximise valuable connections.
After attending several, here are the practices that have helped me get the most out of those conversations.
Set Clear Intentions
Conversations don’t generate impact by themselves - actions do. It’s easy to leave with lots of enjoyable chats but little follow-through.
What helps me is to set two main goals for the weekend and a handful of side goals for variety.
If you only focus only on one topic, you might get tired of that halfway through. But if you spread yourself across too many, you’ll leave without depth. Two main goals plus some smaller ones strikes a good balance.
Use Swapcard Wisely
Swapcard usually opens a couple of weeks before the event. This is where the conference really starts.
- Profiles: Keep yours shortcut informative. Bullet points work better than a wall of text. State both what you’re hoping to get and what you can offer. And add a photo - it makes you easier to spot in the 1:1 chaos.
- Finding people: The in-app search is clunky (use this only if you know exactly who you're looking for). Instead, use the Attendee Data Sheet (you can find this directly in Swapcard), where you can filter by cause area, expertise, or keywords. Make a list of people you’d like to meet and reach out proactively (see below).
- Timing trade-off: Sending requests early means more choice of slots, but not everyone joins on day one. I usually do an early wave of invites, then another closer to the conference.
- Calendar sync: Swapcard rarely breaks during the event, but when it does, you don’t want to lose your schedule. Sync your calendar with Swapcard (Profile picture → Settings → Calendar accounts) so you can always access meetings on your phone or laptop.
Plan Your Schedule
Talks, workshops, and meetups are worth considering, but they can easily clash with 1:1s if you’re not careful. Block them out in Swapcard under “My Event / My Meetings” so the system doesn’t treat the slot as free.
Here’s the balance that works well for me:
- A handful of “must-see” sessions for the whole weekend - the opening (sets the tone), the closing (good for reflection), plus a few topics you’re genuinely curious about (and are in line with your goals!).
- The rest of my time open for conversations
- Breaks every ~4 1:1s (your future self will thank you)
- A few hidden slots for last-minute golden opportunities
Send “Meet” Requests, Not Just “Connect”
When reaching out, Swapcard gives two options: connect or meet. Both allow a short message.
- Connect: You can “connect” with someone directly via the search. Unfortunately, these requests are easy to accept and then forget about.
- Meet: To send a meeting request, click on someone’s profile and choose a time slot. Once accepted, it goes straight into both calendars.
That’s why I recommend meet + short message. The message is important: it helps the other person to decide if they want to accept the invitation.
And note: in a meet request, the message isn’t saved in your general inbox - it’s attached to the meeting itself, so you can easily recall the context when the conversation starts.
Prepare for 1:1s
Moving quickly between back-to-back 1:1s, it’s easy to forget what you wanted to discuss.
I keep a simple spreadsheet with:
- Who I’m meeting
- The specific points I want to cover
Before each meeting, I skim the sheet so I don’t waste the first minutes recalling my agenda - and I make sure we cover everything that matters.
Beyond 1:1s
- Meetups: Like speed-networking around a theme (experienced professionals, effective giving, AI safety, regional groups, etc.). Great for meeting people you wouldn’t otherwise. You get to talk to more people than during standard 1:1s - and if you want to talk for longer with someone, you can simply arrange a 1:1 later during the conference.
- Org fair: If you can’t book a 1:1 with someone at an organisation, the fair is a second chance. Treat it like a mini-1:1 and come with a question or two ready.
Capturing Value
Most of the value of EAG(x) conversations comes after the event. Two habits make a huge difference:
- Take notes: Write down action points during the meeting (strongly recommended!) or immediately after. Otherwise, they’ll disappear.
- Follow up: Send a short message (“Thanks for the chat, here’s the resource we discussed”). Very few people do this, so it helps you stand out and keeps the connection alive. Move the conversation into email for easier tracking (swapcard basically isn't used once the conference is over), and don’t forget to connect on LinkedIn to stay in touch long-term.
Closing Thought
EAG(x) isn’t about collecting as many contacts as possible. It’s about making the conversations you do have matter.
For me, the talks are the backdrop. The real conference is in the 1:1s, the spontaneous chats, and the collaborations that continue afterwards.
