How CEOs should really spend their time at conferences
Conferences are a minefield of missed opportunities. You see people scrolling on their phones during panels, CEOs hiding in hotel rooms between sessions, and others posting “so inspired, so tired” fluff on LinkedIn.
But here’s the thing: not every CEO should approach a conference the same way. Your communication style—the way you naturally show up and lead—shapes whether conferences are a waste of time or a powerful investment.
Here’s how each CEO Signal Archetype should really be spending their time this fall.
The Fundraiser
For Fundraisers, conferences are charged arenas. They thrive in high-visibility settings, where every conversation is a pitch and every stage is a chance to persuade. But their risk is spreading energy too thin, and end up chasing every spotlight instead of choosing the ones that actually matter.
If you’re a Fundraiser CEO, there’s only one thing that matters: visibility that converts. Don’t get stuck in endless coffee chats with people who can’t move the needle.
Head for the stage, the media lounge, and the after-hours investor dinners.
One killer story told on stage is worth more than 50 business cards.
Post daily highlight notes with selfies, competitor snapshots, and one sharp stat. Your network expects you to amplify.
Conferences are your arena, just don’t forget to follow through once the spotlight fades.
The Visionary
Visionaries often dread conferences. The buzz of the expo floor feels shallow, the speed-networking rushed. They want to talk about impact, purpose, and the big picture, but conferences don’t always give them that space. Which is why, without a plan, they risk drifting or withdrawing.
For Visionaries, the opportunity lies in turning their abstraction into clarity.
Anchor yourself in one clear takeaway per day, or you’ll lose people in the clouds.
Use panels and keynotes as a way to test your story. Does it resonate, or are people glazing over?
Avoid hiding out. If you don’t show up in the room, someone else’s story will carry the day.
Your gift is depth. Just remember to translate it for the audience in front of you.
The Builder
Builders see conferences as a distraction from the real work. Why waste hours wandering booths when there’s code to ship or product feedback to implement? Which is exactly why they often retreat to laptops in the corner or get roped into booth duty. But that’s a waste of their rare visibility.
Builders need to shift their mindset: this is not about output, it’s about translation.
Conferences aren’t about proving you shipped; they’re about showing people why it matters.
Step away from the laptop. Practice your 20-second pitch and use it.
Share real, product-led insights in your follow-ups. Investors and partners will trust you more when they see your craft.
Your product speaks for itself. But at conferences, you need to open your mouth too.
The Operator
Operators view conferences with a mix of suspicion and duty. They’d rather be running the machine than schmoozing at cocktail hours. But for them, conferences are less about performance and more about alignment, and making sure the right stakeholders see the steady hand behind the wheel.
If you’re an Operator:
Before you go, set clear goals and share them internally. When you send a recap, stick to 3 points.
Be the one keeping connections warm. A well-timed, thoughtful follow-up is where your credibility shines.
On stage? Skip the hype. Lean on clarity and calm authority, and know people will trust you when you steady the room.
Conferences aren’t about charisma for you; they’re about consistency.
The Insider
Insiders approach conferences with technical comfort but public reluctance. They’ll happily talk shop with a peer for hours but avoid the panel stage or shrug off media interviews. The risk? Remaining invisible to anyone outside their immediate circle.
For Insiders, the opportunity is to scale credibility into visibility.
Resist the urge to bury yourself in technical talk. Translate your expertise for a broader audience.
Don’t skip LinkedIn. A simple, well-framed post makes your credibility visible to people who aren’t in your inner circle.
When networking, lead with one generous insight instead of your CV. That’s how you scale trust.
Conferences are your chance to step outside the insider circle and into the wider narrative.
The Star
Stars are in their element at conferences. Spotlights, microphones, cameras are not just tolerate it, they are the fuel. The danger, of course, is overexposure: saying yes to everything, posting fluff, or making the event about themselves rather than the company.
For Stars, the goal is substance over saturation.
Don’t post fluff. Share a story with emotional weight, not just “great event, so inspired.”
Let others shine, too. Remember to amplify your team, partners, or customers on your channels.
Pace yourself. Being “on” all day is draining; choose your high-impact moments and own them fully.
When done right, conferences keep your signal warm without burning it out.
In the end, no matter which archetype you resonate with the most as a leader, remember: conferences are expensive, exhausting, and full of noise. But if you play to your strengths (and steer clear of your blind spots) they can be more than just a costly line item. They can be leverage you need and a high-return channel. So the real question is: how will you spend your time at the next one?
Need support at the next conference?
I work with senior leaders to help them maximize their ROI and hit those communications goals in a way that aligns best with their strengths, skills and role. I’d love to hear from you!
These archetypes aren’t boxes, they’re starting points. They’re signals that help you understand how you show up, where your influence lands, and what gets in your way. And at conferences, that can be really helpful.
Understanding yours will help you lead with more control, clarity, and impact. When you know how you communicate naturally, what throws you off course, and how others interpret your tone, you stop guessing and start leading on purpose.