# B2B conference and workshop etiquette: nine habits | Corptive > First appearances mean a lot. Nine habits for B2B conferences and workshops — from RSVPs and working the room to introductions, phones and following up. Source: https://corptive.com/b2b-event-etiquette.html · Last updated: 2026-10-01 · Publisher: Corptive Research Pvt. Ltd. --- Insights # Points of etiquette when attending B2B conferences & workshops CR Corptive Editorial 7 February 2021 7 min read First appearances mean a lot in both personal and professional settings. The etiquette you display puts a positive foot forward — it is how potential clients, colleagues, managers and other professional peers perceive you. ## Key takeaways - RSVP quickly, and tell the host as early as possible if you have to cancel. - Plan who you want to meet, dress for the stated code and arrive on time. - Introduce yourself clearly, keep your phone away and watch your body language. - Keep conversations professional and take disagreements offline, one to one. - Follow up afterwards with a personal note to each person, not a mass email. Unfortunately, etiquette is sometimes a difficult thing to understand. In a research project at [Southern Adventist University](https://knowledge.e.southern.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1067&context=senior_research), people were surveyed on civility: 89% said incivility is a problem in the modern world 99% said their own behaviour was polite These statistics show a discrepancy between the manners people expect and those they display. It is worth taking the time to consider what proper etiquette looks like in a business environment, so you make the best possible impression on the people you work — and will work — with. 01 ## When to RSVP Before any significant formal or professional event, you will likely receive an invitation asking you to RSVP. This gives the host an idea of who is coming and what to expect. Respond as quickly as possible — never let an invitation sit unanswered for more than a week if you can avoid it. If you have to cancel, notify the host as soon as you can, ideally with an apology email or letter if you can't share your regrets in person. 02 ## Think about how you’ll work the room When you enter a room, you should have a plan. Who are you going to talk to? What are you going to talk about? Create a map if you need it — it helps you reach everyone you intend to without repeating conversations or coming off as lost, and makes you look more organised. Don't stick around the entrance; people there are likely nervous or busy preparing. Step deeper into the event as you work your way around. It's also a good idea to avoid the food tables — it's hard to connect with people while they're eating or checking in. 03 ## Dress appropriately Dress codes usually sit between business casual and strictly formal. Consider what clothing fits the event. A formal setting is not the place for a t-shirt and jeans — you'll need to fall somewhere on the spectrum from business casual to strictly formal. Many RSVPs and invitations will outline the dress code. 04 ## Punctuality is key At casual events, you might show up "fashionably late". In professional and formal settings, this isn't the case. Arriving late means missing important parts or slowing things down, and it comes across as rude. Always show that you recognise the importance of the event and appreciate the invitation. 05 ## Introducing yourself to new people Start with a strong introduction. Clearly state who you are — your name, and who you are as a professional: your job title or position in your company. If you're sitting when you meet someone, stand up to introduce yourself and shake their hand. Your grip should be firm, but not too hard or too long — that can come off as aggressive. If you're hosting, you should initiate the handshake. 06 ## Don’t use a cellphone It's tempting to check email or take calls wherever you are, but as a rule of thumb your phone shouldn't be out at formal or professional events. Standing off to the side on your phone risks looking antisocial; checking it mid-conversation suggests the phone matters more than the person in front of you. 07 ## Watch your body language Tapping your foot or drumming your fingers suggests boredom; slouching in a meeting suggests you aren't taking the conversation seriously. Most importantly, make eye contact with the person you're speaking to. > “ If you were talking to someone and they were looking around the room, would you feel listened to? 08 ## Keep the conversation professional Work gatherings are a place to talk about work. A semi-personal question — asking how an acquaintance's weekend was — is fine, but these settings are not the place for gossip. Speaking negatively about colleagues reflects back on you. If you disagree with a colleague about a project, schedule a meeting or discuss it one-on-one rather than calling them out in front of peers who aren't part of it. This is a sign of respect. 09 ## Follow up with the people you meet A personal note after the event turns a conversation into a connection. Following up solidifies the connections you've made and shows you remembered them. Send notes thanking the hosts or letting people know you were glad to meet them — today, usually by email. Individualise every note: address people by name so they know the meeting made an impact. Never send the same thank-you as a mass email to 30 people — it comes off as lazy. ## Conclusion Formal and professional events are often intimidating. Once you know what to do, they're much easier to handle. Follow these tips so your next formal or work event is a success. Filed under Perspective Share Keep reading ## More insights [View all articles](https://corptive.com/blog.html) ABM & marketing 6 min read ### [ABM for B2G: how to sell to ministries, PSUs and city bodies](https://corptive.com/abm-for-b2g.html) The buyer is a committee and the decision is written down. How to run account-based marketing the way government actually buys. Read article → Partnerships 5 min read ### [Referral partners: how to build a channel that actually sells](https://corptive.com/referral-partner-programmes.html) Most referral programmes fail quietly. A channel that sells is managed like a sales team — five habits that make the difference. Read article → ABM & marketing 5 min read ### [Getting real value out of a closed-door roundtable](https://corptive.com/closed-door-roundtables.html) Why twelve of the right people in a room beats a hall of four hundred — and how to design a session that moves accounts. Read article →