The Art of Attending Crypto Conferences: How to Be a Well-Mannered Degen?
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The Art of Attending Crypto Conferences: How to Be a Well-Mannered Degen?
Don't ask for a selfie together, seriously, just don't.
Navigating Web3 tides with focused insightsAuthor: DavideFi
Translation: TechFlow
I've attended many crypto conferences, and with the upcoming third #ETHCC on the horizon, I decided to write a guide to help BDs and Degens get the most out of #ETHCC and future events.
A Guide to Becoming King of the Conference:
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Wear clothes that represent you
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If you're representing a protocol, wear your best merch—it makes it easier for people to recognize and approach you. If you’re not a superfan of any company, don’t wear random swag from past events.
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Greet people wearing merch you recognize: “Are you guys from X?”
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We all want to meet users of our dapps and truly value these conversations. Start by sharing your story—how long you’ve used the project and how. We love hearing real user experiences. Go into detail.
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Remember faces, have memorable short chats, and if you see them again, say hi first!
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I love seeing the same cool people across multiple events. If the vibe is right, I really enjoy spending time with them. This is how I’ve built many lasting friendships—all made at conferences.
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Create a Telegram group with friends to coordinate schedules, share invites and tickets. Don’t go solo.
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Always ask the cool kids where they’re headed. By asking what the best events are, you can prioritize among your many invitations.
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Build friendships with people who can share rAAVE tickets with you.
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You’ll feel FOMO, and anyone with a ticket will go there and leave you behind that night. If you have an extra rAAVE ticket, treat it as a valuable favor—it might come in handy someday.
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Attend as many different events as possible.
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Each event has its own crowd of cool people to meet.
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Staying too long in one place means missing great people elsewhere.
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Don’t stick with friends too long. There are so many interesting people to meet at conferences.
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If you’re looking for a Web3 job, identify people you’d like to work with and try to connect with them at events.
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Exchange contact info only after making a good impression. Real-life likability builds trust and opens job opportunities.
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Don’t ask for selfies.
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Seriously, don’t. But if you’re a huge fan and genuinely want to be remembered, you can try asking after a long conversation. Don’t be *that* person who randomly asks for photos.
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At happy hours, don’t launch into long conversations right after introductions!
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Understand that if your opening question isn’t reciprocated within the first minute, stop pitching—we’re trying to be friendly, but may not be interested. Read the room.
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Notice (but don’t fear) people speaking another language around you.
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This is common in Europe. If someone is surrounded by people speaking their native language and not engaging, they’re likely relaxing with friends—try approaching them another time.
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Dinner is a trap
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Don’t be lured by VC or potential partner Michelin-star dinners (only real partners/chains matter). Nothing’s worse than being stuck at a table with 10 strangers listening to the host pitch while everyone outside is having fun.
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Avoid registering for events with a GMAIL address
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Some events have limited capacity and when selecting participants, often prioritize protocols (and women) using corporate emails.
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If you're a regular user, consider buying a personalized domain email.
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Always ask for alpha
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There are many traders at conferences tired of hearing pitches. They want to pitch you their projects—some are about to launch very cool things. Always ask anyone for insider info. I always ask, “What project are you watching lately?”
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Carry a power bank
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You might be out all day, and your or your friend’s phone could die. Always carry a power bank, and if possible, keep USB-C and Lightning cables in your bag so you and your friends can charge anytime.
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Find accommodation between the main conference venue and most side events
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Try to stay close to both the main venue and satellite events so you can easily return to rest or change clothes.
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Don’t force yourself to remember names
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This is my weakness—I really can’t remember hundreds of new names at every conference. Ask people for their X/Telegram, follow them, and when you see them again but can’t recall, just say “Hey man!”
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We’re all anonymous anyway—names aren’t that important.
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Travel with a half-empty bag
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You’ll collect a lot of swag. If you arrive with a full bag, you might have to throw things away.
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Leave space for new T-shirts and hoodies you’ll get at events. Make sure you have enough room for the return trip!
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If you’re a degen (speculator) not representing any project, don’t feel like an imposter
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In most events, 80% of attendees are infrastructure/VC people trying to sell you something; the rest are degens like you and me.
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Introduce yourself as a degen and quickly share your wildest story—you’ll be surprised.
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When asking for someone’s Telegram, include something memorable in your first message
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Don’t just send a random greeting emoji—it’s easily forgotten. Instead, write something like, “Great meeting you at XXX, loved chatting about YYY.”
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If you weren’t approved for an event, don’t give up
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There are other ways to try getting in:
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Ask your friends if they know the organizers.
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If you’re in a group chat with sponsors, even better: DM someone in the group or go directly to the door and ask for a specific team member.
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If you’re bringing developers (or other newcomers) to events, apply for extra tickets for them
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Not everyone is used to the conference habit of registering for every event.
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Sign up your colleagues for must-attend events—they might not do it themselves.
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Choose your conference companions based on the experience you want
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Some of your usual friends might not be the best choice for conference time. Some may dislike crowded places, others might prefer dinner over events. Spend time with like-minded people.
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@DavideFi_
