Stand Out at the SHRM Annual Conference 2025 With These 4 Networking Tips

The SHRM Annual Conference 2025 (SHRM25) is fast approaching, with only a few days left before it opens its doors on June 29 in San Diego.

With stellar attendance statistics and best-in-class educational activities, this conference presents the perfect opportunity for HR professionals to conduct high-ROI professional networking.

If you wish to maximize your networking results during the four-day event (June 29 – July 2), this article will help you.

Continue reading to learn the top four tips for networking better as an HR professional and making the most of your event participation.

But first, why attend SHRM Annual Conference 2025?

According to the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM25’s organizers), this year’s event will be the biggest in the conference’s history.

With hundreds of exhibiting companiesand thousands of attendees, the event promises better learning and networking opportunities for HR professionals.

The event will feature four days of curated in-person and virtual experiences. Through these experiences, you can enhance your knowledge and skills, earn certifications, and explore the latest trends and innovations in the HR industry.

In addition, SHRM25 will host dedicated networking events to help you build your professional network. You can engage with a large community of like-minded HR professionals, industry leaders, and premier service providers.

Check out these top four tips to maximize your networking ROI during the SHRM Annual Conference 2025.

4 Ways to network better at the SHRM Annual Conference 2025

1. Use a digital business card as your networking tool
2. Create a strong visual presence
3. Participate in the right workshops and sessions
4. Take advantage of the SHRM Expo

1. Use a digital business card as your networking tool

Business cards are essential networking tools for conferences and trade shows. And this iteration of SHRM’s annual conference is no exception.

To maximize your networking ROI during the event, we recommend using digital business cards(or virtual business cards) instead of handing out paper business cards.

As a paperless networking tool, you can share your digital business card via Apple Wallet (or Google Wallet), business card QR Code, and URL. These contactless sharing methodsprovide convenience and help you appear more professional and digital-savvy as you network during the event.

Moreover, digital business cardsdo not present spacing issues, unlike paper business cards. You can include as many phone numbers, URLs, and social handles as you need.

Since digital business cards are highly interactive, your recipients can interact with all these details in a click-to-access manner.They can quickly view and save your details without manually typing your information on their mobile devices.

2. Create a strong visual presence

Appearances and handshakes impact 72% of networkers. So despite seeming a minor detail, how you present yourself can influence your networking success.

This is true whether you are attending as an individual HR professional or representing your organization in an exhibit. Formal wear is not a must as far as these events go. But you must ensure you appear professional and presentable.

3. Participate in the right workshops and sessions

SHRM25 will host dedicated educational sessions and workshops for HR professionals.

While it is unlikely you can participate in all of them during the four-day event, you can always opt for the activities that will benefit your competencies and interests the most.

The event’s program makes choosing which activities to engage in easy.

Each educational session is categorized into a content track. A track represents a group of sessions that covers a specific human resources (HR) niche. These niches include HR technology, leadership growth, and talent management, among others.

Choosing the most valuable tracks allows you to use your time wisely. It also introduces you to potential like-minded individuals participating in the same tracks.

As you attend each session, feel free to contribute to discussions and connect with those who share your interests.

4. Take advantage of the SHRM Expo

In addition to the high-quality keynotes, sessions, and workshops, SHRM Annual Conference 2025 will host its annual expo. This is where organizations and HR service providers can exhibit their latest products and share innovations that benefit the HR industry.

If you understand your organization’s HR pain points and improvement opportunities, take time to explore the expo. You might find the solutions you need.

Moreover, visiting the expo is an excellent opportunity to network with potential partners, vendors, and service providers.

Even if you are not seeking a particular product or service, you can still converse with the representatives of the top companies in the HR industry. This allows you to gather valuable contacts and understand the field in more depth.