This Next Conversation Could Change Everything

The ultimate guide to Braindate—straight from the folks who have experienced the magic firsthand

So you’re about to attend an event featuring Braindate, and you’re trying to figure out how to make the most of your experience—or maybe just to wrap your head around what to expect. Here’s everything you need to know, in order to make your experience with braindates a success.

First things first: braindates are one-on-one and small group conversations at events (of all kinds) about specific, participant-created topics.

Instead of relying on serendipity to help you strike up the right conversations, Braindate uses a content-first approach to help participants meet each other for better conversations.

In other words—Braindate helps people to learn from each other based on common interests and challenges, because participants book discussions with pre-set topics and post their own topics related to the specific knowledge that they want to share.

braindates are one-on-one and small group conversations at events (of all kinds) about specific, participant-created topics.

There’s no more browsing a participant list to try and magically figure out who might be able to help them tackle a big question or idea.

Since we shine brightest when you do, the secret formula behind transformational braindate experiences comes straight from our participants.

That’s why we’ve turned to some past braindaters to share tips from their experiences meeting great people and learning new things through Braindate.

Here are five tips you can use to make the most of your Braindate experience:

1. Make matches long before the event to meet the right people.

In order to get the best experience, we recommend that people create their profiles and make their matches before the event itself. It you want to talk to the exact right people, you’ll want to plan ahead.

— Pierre Noïnski, Project Director, Yulism; previously Director, Participant Services at C2

Read more here.

2. When it comes to braindating, more is more: take advantage of the opportunity to meet (lots) of fascinating new people.

In 2016, I did five braindates each day and uncovered millions of dollars worth of potential business.

One key to success here is understanding that decision-makers are always busy, but they take the time to come to C2 and enjoy three days of unhurried exploration. With braindating, it’s easy to connect and make an impression.

— Sébastien Lauzière, Québec Sales Director, Flight Centre Travel Group

Read more here.

3. It’s nice to be important, but it’s more important to be niche: you don’t have to be an expert to be an expert braindater.

To paraphrase a cross-stitched mantra my gran had on her bathroom wall — it’s nice to be important but it’s more important to be niche. Perhaps it’s time that we started to look beyond putting a handful of experts on a lofty stage to influence and engage an event audience.

Can a conversation change your life? If it’s a self-directed one majoring in sharing knowledge that helps you bridge the gap between who you are and who you need to be to overcome the challenges you face, I’d like to think so.

— Ewan Jamieson, Research & Development, Spark Thinking

Read more here.

4. Share your interests to expand your knowledge (and build your network): your unique perspective is exactly why others will be excited to meet you.

I talked to a publisher who hosted 11 braindates in which attendees pitched their book ideas to her. She was incredibly happy to walk away with at least two exciting book prospects.

The ability to connect with other attendees that have similar interests is a great way to expand your knowledge and your network.

— Dana Larson, V.P. Digital and Content Strategy, Opus Agency

Read more here.

5. Opportunity is endless, and no one has it figured out.

After dozens of conversations over four days, the humbling part of it all: no one has it figured out. This is where I feel we can bring the most value.

Not because we have all the answers, but because we are adept at helping people move through ideas to create the best possible, insight-driven expression for culture and customer. No one has it figured out. And that’s okay.

— Trevor Hubbard, CEO & Executive Creative Director, Butchershop

Read more here.

Don’t miss out on knowledge—and…awesomeness!— of the people around you. Braindate can be transformational, for anyone.