5 Mistakes to Avoid When Attending a UX Conference
Mistakes Not to Make When Attending a Conference
Attending a UX Conference Soon? Don’t Make These Mistakes
Conferences can be a game-changer for your UX career—whether you’re job hunting, looking to grow, or just need a jolt of creative energy.
But here’s the part most people don’t talk about:
Showing up is only half of it. The other half is how you show up.
If you’ve ever walked away from a conference thinking, “That was fine, but I didn’t really get what I hoped out of it,”—you’re not alone. We’ve been there too. So we put together the 5 biggest mistakes UX professionals make at events like UXCON—and how to avoid them.
This isn’t about being more extroverted. It’s about being intentional.
5 avoidable mistakes UXers make at conferences (and how to fix them)
What to do before the event to show up with clarity and purpose
How to network without sounding like you’re networking
UXCON '25: Connect with your future collaborators
Resource Corner: Networking tips & UX event prep guides
🚫 Mistake #1: Not Defining What You Want From the Experience
If your only goal is “get inspired,” you might walk away with 40 ideas and no action.
Before you arrive, ask yourself:
Do I want to meet UXers from companies I admire?
Am I looking to land a job?
Do I want to understand a new topic (like ResearchOps or Design Systems)?
Do I want to find a mentor or potential collaborators?
The more specific you are, the easier it’ll be to navigate sessions, start conversations, and walk away feeling like it was time well spent.
🧠 Pro Tip: Create a short “conference mission statement” the week before. Something like:
"I want to meet at least 3 people working in accessibility and leave with 1 framework I can try with my team."
👉 Coming to UXCon25? Use this to build your game plan before you arrive. It’ll help you turn a busy event into a breakthrough experience.
🎟️ And our 2-ticket bundle is still open. Bring your PM, your lead, or that one teammate who’s always advocating beside you.
Get the 2-ticket bundle—grow together, not alone.
🤝 Mistake #2: Waiting Until You’re There to Start Connecting
The worst time to start networking is when you’re already overwhelmed at the event.
Most conferences (including UXCON) have a public attendee list, Discord, LinkedIn group, or event app. Use it.
DM people you’d love to meet for coffee
Comment on speaker announcements to spark conversation
Post what sessions you’re most excited for—others will find you
If you’re shy, having a few pre-conversations makes the event feel 10x more approachable.
💬 Mistake #3: Only Talking to People You Know
It’s tempting to cling to your team or friend group.
But the real magic happens when you talk to people who don’t think like you.
At UXCON '24, one attendee told us:
“The best part wasn’t even the sessions. It was chatting with a service designer from Oslo during lunch and realizing we were solving the same problem in totally different ways.”
Branch out. Sit with strangers. Ask what brought them here.
Even one good conversation can shift your entire perspective.
That’s the kind of experience we intentionally build into UXCon25—from open-seating formats to curated conversation starters, you’ll never be stuck saying, “I didn’t know who to talk to.
📱 Mistake #4: Not Documenting the Right Things
It’s easy to jot down quotes, screenshots, or the names of tools during a session. But what about the stuff that really sticks?
Try this:
After each session, ask yourself:
What challenged me? What felt unexpectedly useful?After a conversation, write down:
What did I learn from this person? Could we collaborate later?
Inspiration is great—but reflection is what makes it useful.
⏳ Mistake #5: Not Following Up After
This one’s simple.
If you meet someone cool—follow up.
Not in a spammy “let’s connect and pick your brain” way. But a kind note like:
"Hey, I loved our chat at UXCON. You mentioned your team was exploring research democratization—I’d love to keep in touch or share what we’re trying too."
One message. That’s it.
You’ll stand out more than you think.
💬 What to Do Before the Event
You don’t have to be hyper-strategic. But you do need to be present. And presence starts before you arrive.
Here’s how to show up strong:
Look at the schedule and choose 3 sessions that align with your current growth goals.
Connect with 2–3 speakers or attendees on LinkedIn ahead of time.
Create a one-liner intro for yourself that’s not your job title. (Try: “I’m exploring accessibility in onboarding flows” or “I’m focused on research storytelling lately.”)
This gives people something to respond to—and makes you memorable.
🙃 How to Network Without Sounding Like You’re Networking
Let’s be honest—“networking” feels gross when it’s transactional. But it doesn’t have to be.
Try this instead:
Ask people why they came. Everyone has a reason—it makes for easy conversation.
Compliment a speaker on something specific they said (not just “Great talk!”).
Introduce people you just met to others: “Oh, you’re both working in B2B—have you met?”
If you’re awkward or introverted: start with one question, one connection. You don’t need 50 business cards. You need 1 real follow-up.
📚 Resource Corner: Prep Like a Pro
Final Thought: The Best Conferences Don’t Just Teach You—They Change You
You don’t need to be the loudest person in the room.
You don’t need to collect 30 business cards.
You just need to show up with intention—and leave with one thing that moves you forward.
Your next mentor, idea, collaborator, or career move might be one conversation away.
That’s the energy behind UXCon25.
A space for clarity, creativity, and the kind of connections that actually move your UX career forward.
We’ll see you at UXCON.