Conquering Conferences: The Art Of The Graceful Exit

Ed. note: This is the latest in a series providing a comprehensive guide to networking at conferences. Read the previous installment here. 

In this next chapter of “Conquering Conferences,” we focus on a crucial yet often overlooked aspect — making a graceful exit.

Whether it’s leaving a group or ending a one-on-one conversation, the art of the goodbye is about departing as smoothly as you arrived.

Exiting Chats Without the Cringe

Mastering the art of a graceful exit is like perfecting the smooth steps of a dance. It’s all about leaving on a high note, without awkwardness or stumbling.

Whether you’ve just shared a laugh, exchanged some intriguing insights, or simply found the conversation winding down, knowing how to bow out gracefully is key to maintaining your social finesse.

Here’s how to make your exit smooth, leaving a lasting impression that’s as positive as it is professional:

• The Appreciative Exit: When you’re ready to leave a group, interject at a natural pause in the conversation with a comment like: “I’ve really enjoyed this discussion, especially the insights on [specific topic]. I need to mingle a bit more, but it was great connecting with all of you. Enjoy the rest of the event!” This approach shows appreciation for the conversation and allows for a smooth exit without making it seem abrupt.
• The Connector’s Departure: A strategic way to exit is to connect others before you leave. Say something like, “Before I head off, I just want to introduce [Person A] to [Person B]. I think you both have some interesting ideas on [specific topic]. I’ll leave you to it — great chatting with everyone!” This not only adds value to the group but also provides a natural and thoughtful way to excuse yourself.
• The Schedule Excuse: Use your schedule as a polite way to exit. You can say, “I just realized I have a session I can’t miss starting in a few minutes. It’s been great talking with everyone. Hopefully, we’ll run into each other again during the conference.” This gives you a clear reason to leave and is generally well-accepted in a busy conference setting.
  
• The Open-Ended Goodbye: Leave the conversation open for future interactions with a line like, “I’ll have to step away now, but if anyone wants to continue this conversation later, feel free to catch me during the break or connect on LinkedIn. Enjoy the rest of the session!” This indicates that you’re open to further discussions, just at a later time.
• The Polite Interruption: If the conversation is ongoing and finding a natural pause is difficult, you can politely interject with: “Excuse me for interrupting, I’ve got to head out now, but this has been a great conversation. Have a wonderful day, everyone!” This is a direct yet polite way to make your exit without waiting for a perfect moment.

Now that we’ve mastered the art of the graceful exit, let’s turn our attention to the next step in our networking journey. Next week, we’ll explore how to keep the conversation alive and fresh with each new interaction, ensuring a dynamic and fulfilling conference experience.

Exiting Chats Smoothly

✔️ Master the skill of leaving conversations gracefully, maintaining positive impressions.
✔️ Use tactful strategies to exit without causing disruption.

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Sejal Patel is the Founder of Sage Ivy, a New York-based consultancy specializing in empowering attorneys with innovative practice development strategies. With over 20 years of experience, Sejal applies her expertise in assisting clients convert their relationships into revenue by applying individualized strategies to their networks and leveraging their unique styles authentically.