Veterinary conferences are not just about learning from speakers or checking out new products. They are where future partnerships are built and where one good conversation can lead to five new clients. But here is the thing. Most practice owners attend conferences and walk away with a few business cards and no real follow-up. If you want to turn networking into actual referrals you need a better plan.
Referrals do not happen by luck. They happen when you connect with the right people in the right way and follow up like a pro. So if you are attending any of veterinary conferences and want those conversations to turn into real business here is how you do it.
Check out this detailed guide to the best vet conferences of the year
Start with the Right Mindset
You are not going to pitch your services to everyone. You are going to build relationships. People refer people they trust not people who talk about themselves non-stop. Go in with curiosity. Ask good questions. Focus on understanding what the other person does who they serve and where they need help.
Be helpful before being promotional. Share a resource. Offer an introduction. Make it about them first and you will stand out.
Know Who You Want to Connect With
Not everyone at a conference is your referral partner. Make a short list. These are people who either:
- Work with the same audience as you but offer different services
- Are vendors who talk to practice owners regularly
- Are speakers or influencers that other vets listen to
If you run a marketing company for vet clinics for example you want to connect with veterinary consultants software providers equipment reps and even accountants. They talk to your ideal clients every week. And if they trust you they will recommend you.
Have a Conversation Not a Pitch
Forget your elevator pitch. Just be human. Introduce yourself. Ask them how the conference is going. Ask what session they liked. Then go deeper. What kind of practices do they usually work with. What are they seeing on the ground. What is frustrating their clients right now.
When it is your turn to share what you do make it simple and clear. Say it in a way that shows the value not the job title. For example do not say “I do marketing for vets.” Say “We help practice owners bring in more ideal clients without depending on referrals or working with random ad agencies.”
Give People a Reason to Remember You
Everyone they meet is going to hand them a card. What makes you different. Maybe it is a quick tip you shared. Maybe it is a one-pager you brought that explains what you do. Maybe it is just how easy you were to talk to.
One easy trick—follow them on LinkedIn right after the conversation and send a quick message saying you enjoyed chatting. If you have a lead magnet like a checklist or a conference-specific resource send it to them the next day.
Follow Up the Right Way
This is where most people drop the ball. They collect names and then do nothing. Referrals come from consistent professional follow-up. So within 48 hours of the conference send a short email.
Remind them who you are. Mention something specific from your conversation. Offer value. That could be a helpful blog link an introduction to someone else or just a thoughtful insight.
Then stay in touch. Add them to your newsletter. Engage with them on LinkedIn. Invite them to a webinar. Do not disappear after the event and expect magic to happen.
Make It Easy for Them to Refer You
Even if someone likes you they are not going to refer you unless it is easy. So make it easy. Send them a short email they can forward to a colleague. Create a one-pager that explains what you do who you help and how to get in touch.
Better yet set up a referral page on your website where they can send people. You can even add a reward or thank-you note for anyone who sends business your way. And if someone refers you always follow up and say thank you.
Use the Conference to Create Content
Here is a bonus strategy that builds your authority and helps with referrals. Turn your conference experience into content. Write a LinkedIn post about a session you loved. Record a short video sharing your biggest takeaway. Post a roundup blog like “3 Things I Learned at [Conference Name].”
Tag the people you met. Mention their names if appropriate. Share their resources if they shared something valuable. This shows you are active engaged and generous—which makes people want to stay connected.
Track Your ROI Like a Pro
If you are spending thousands to attend a conference you should know what you got out of it. Keep a simple spreadsheet with the people you met what you discussed whether you followed up and whether anything came from it.
This helps you improve every time. You will learn which events are worth attending who sends the best referrals and what kind of conversations lead to real business.
And if you are trying to figure out which conferences will actually give you this kind of networking opportunity you should definitely check out our write-up on the top veterinary conferences in 2025. Not all conferences are created equal so choose wisely.
Final Word
Networking is not about handing out cards or talking about yourself. It is about creating real connections with people who trust you enough to recommend you. When done right conference networking can bring in more high-quality referrals than any cold outreach ever could.
But it only works if you are intentional. Know who you want to meet. Show up curious and helpful. Follow up with value. Make it easy to refer you. And stay on their radar without being annoying.