Making Connections When You Know No One in the Room

Flying to Cyprus

After landing in Cyprus and making my way to Limassol, I finally got my first glimpse of the city. The coastal views, warm weather, and relaxed atmosphere made a really good first impression.

Getting Ready & Heading to the Welcome Party

⁠⁠⁠I got ready and head to the badge collection and Welcome Party at Columbia Beach. The energy was amazing from the moment I arrived. The place was packed in the best way — full of laughter, conversations, and people genuinely enjoying being there.

Conversation Starters & Small Talk Tips

Since I didn’t really know many people at the event, I kept a few simple questions in mind to break the ice:

• What brought you to iFX EXPO this year?
• Is this your first time here?
• What are you most excited about over the next few days?
• Which company are you with?
• What part of the industry are you in?
• Have you been to iFX EXPO before?
• Did you travel far to get here?

A few things that make conversations easier:

• Start with a smile and introduce yourself.
• Ask open-ended questions.
• Listen more than you speak.
• Don’t worry about having a long conversation.
• Focus on being curious rather than trying to impress people.

Looking Ahead to the Next Two Days 

Today was mostly about arriving and meeting people, I’m really excited for what’s ahead. The next two days will be packed with talks, discussions, and opportunities to learn. I’m looking forward to hearing different perspectives, discovering new ideas, and meeting even more people.