ConexiONEs Zaragoza: networking starts before the event and ends long after

These were some of the topics addressed at ConexiONEs Zaragoza, a day dedicated to exploring how to turn networking into a tool for professional and business growth.

Below, we review some of the key ideas and takeaways shared during the day.

How to prepare for events to generate contacts and opportunities

The first part of the day featured a talk by Claudia Da Cunha, coordinator at KM ZERO Food Innovation Hub, focused on how to strategically prepare participation in professional events. 

During the session, an idea was shared that served as the guiding thread of the gathering: networking is not an end in itself, but a tool to achieve specific objectives. Before attending any event, it is necessary to ask yourself what you want to achieve, who you want to connect with, and what should happen after taking part. 

The importance of researching in advance who will attend the event and preparing the most relevant contacts ahead of time was also highlighted. As noted during the day, it is often more effective to identify in advance a few people you truly want to connect with than to try to talk to everyone indiscriminately. 

The session also emphasized the need to attend events with intention and purpose. As was shared with attendees, "don’t go to an event just to be there. Go to get something," reminding everyone that attendance should align with each project’s goals for growth, visibility, learning, or business generation.  

Networking that creates opportunities

The second part of the day brought together María José Galardón, Alberto García, and Francisco Calderón Reyes for the roundtable "Networking that creates opportunities," moderated by Luis Martín Nuez. The discussion addressed how to build professional relationships that go beyond a one-off exchange of contacts. 

Among the takeaways shared during the conversation was the importance of prioritizing quality over quantity. In a context where it is increasingly easy to collect contacts, the real challenge is getting other people to remember who you are and what value you can bring. As was conveyed during the panel, making contact has become cheaper, but the relationship remains the differentiating factor. 

The participants also reflected on what makes a first conversation memorable. Among the recommendations shared, it was emphasized that taking a genuine interest in the other person, listening actively, and paying attention to small details can make the difference between a fleeting connection and a professional relationship with real potential. 

Another recurring message throughout the day was the need to attend gatherings with a clear objective and a preselected set of strategic contacts. Preparing a short list of people you want to speak with and actively seeking out those meetings usually delivers better results than relying solely on chance. 

Let’s be memorable—in a good way

The day continued with a practical workshop led by Kelly Vasquez aimed at strengthening the ability to communicate with confidence and assurance in professional settings. The goal was to help attendees improve how they present their projects, handle key conversations, and convey their ideas clearly and memorably. 

As became clear across the different sessions, effective networking is not about accumulating contacts, but about creating conversations that provide mutual value and can evolve into future collaborations. In this sense, one of the most repeated messages of the event was the importance of being remembered for the quality of our interactions and for our ability to contribute, help, and build genuine relationships.

Connecting to build

The day concluded with a networking space where attendees were able to put many of the ideas shared throughout the event into practice. Because, as was reiterated during ConexiONEs Zaragoza, opportunities do not arise solely from being present at an event, but from what we are able to build from the contacts and conversations that emerge there. 

With this new edition, ConexiONEs continues to consolidate itself as a meeting point for innovative entrepreneurship, bringing the ONE Platform closer to different regions and fostering the creation of valuable connections among the various players in Spain’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. 

If you want to take part in upcoming ConexiONEs events, check the ONE Platform agenda and discover the next stops on the tour.