Networking Icebreaker for Exhibitors to Get to Know Each Other

How do you ensure exhibitors at your expo actually connect, get to know each other, and engage before or after the main event?

It should be no surprise that many professionals are introverted and may hesitate to initiate conversations at events. Without structure, most exhibitors stay within their usual circles and only speak to one to three new people the entire day.

Here are networking activities that not only engage exhibitors, but get them moving around and meeting new people instead of staying with the same old group.

Here are ice breaker activities to engage exhibitors at your event. We’ll separate these icebreakers into these categories:

• Digital Ice Breakers (No Prep, Easy to Set Up)
• Non-Digital Ice Breakers (Moderate Prep Required)

Movement & Mingling Game – Get people moving and talking with new people. Jam Bingo Icebreaker is the easiest way to get people who do not yet know each other to mingle and talk.

Most often, people only talk with 1 to 3 new people at any networking event. They prefer to stay with their clique and the same old group. What makes Jam Bingo useful is it gets people to mingle, talk, and make 11–16 new and meaningful connections.

Get people playing by asking them to join the game by scanning a QR code or entering the game code. Once they join, they receive conversation prompts on their phone. These prompts get them up and moving, looking for new people to connect with.

As they mingle and connect with each other, it unlocks new prompts, and the goal for everyone playing is to complete all their prompts.

Conversation Starters by JamSocial provide ready-made discussion prompts placed on tables or displayed digitally. They spark deeper, more natural discussions and reduce awkward small talk.

Create a collaborative playlist and invite exhibitors to add one or two songs that represent their brand or get them energized for work. Play it during setup, teardown, or in the exhibitor lounge. It becomes an instant talking point and shared experience.

Add “Ask me about…” to name tags (e.g., “Ask me about our new eco-packaging”). Why it works: Turns passive badges into active conversation starters all day long.

Everyone gives a 30 second pitch about their business and ends with a clear ask, such as “I’m looking to connect with plumbers in commercial real estate.” As they listen, other attendees write down names or referrals they can offer on a sheet of paper addressed to the person pitching.

The goal is that by the end of the session, each exhibitor walks away with new referrals and qualified leads for their business.

Each exhibitor describes their product or company in exactly five words. Share in small circles or via a shared board. Why it works: Forces clarity and invites curious follow-ups like “How do you achieve that in your niche?”

Each exhibitor writes one personal interest on a sticky note and posts it on a wall. Others find shared interests and connect intentionally. It is simple, low-pressure, and surprisingly effective.

Write prompts on Jenga blocks; pull and answer while building. This would be the style of game you’d have in the lounge area and ongoing throughout the play. It can be a designated connection zone.

Before the event, prepare a list of 10-15 statements that apply to people, not companies. Examples: "Has run a marathon, " "Speaks more than two languages, " "Is drinking coffee right now, " "Visited more than 10 countries, " "Has a pet that is also in the office today." Give this list to exhibitors as they enter a networking function. The goal is to find a different person for each statement and write their name next to it.

Set up a table with blank index cards and pens. Ask exhibitors to write down one piece of valuable advice, a useful resource (like a great podcast or book), or a helpful tip on a card. They then place their card in a large bowl. Throughout the event, exhibitors are encouraged to come to the bowl, take a card that someone else has left, and read it. They can then seek out the author of a card they particularly liked to thank them or discuss it further.

Exhibitors invest significant time, money, and energy into events. Strong connections among them boost overall event ROI: cross-promotions happen, knowledge is shared (e.g., “What booth layout worked best for foot traffic?”), and a supportive community forms that encourages return attendance. Research on event networking consistently shows that structured icebreakers increase meaningful interactions by 3–5x compared to unstructured “mingle time.” For introverts—who make up roughly half the professional population—these low-pressure formats provide a clear “excuse” to approach someone new without the awkwardness of cold openers.

Structured icebreakers can multiply meaningful interactions compared to unstructured mingle time. For introverts especially, these formats provide a clear and comfortable reason to approach someone new.

In the end, the success of your expo is not just measured by foot traffic or booth scans, but by the quality of the relationships built behind the booths.

Exhibitors invest time, money, and energy to show up. Giving them structured opportunities to connect ensures they do not simply stand beside their displays waiting for attendees, but actively build partnerships, referrals, and friendships with the people around them. Whether through digital tools like Jam Bingo and conversation prompts, or simple non-digital activities like nametag cues and referral exercises, intentional icebreakers transform passive downtime into meaningful engagement.

When you create space for exhibitors to move, talk, and connect beyond their usual circles, you strengthen the entire ecosystem of your event. Stronger exhibitor relationships lead to cross-promotions, shared insights, repeat attendance, and a more supportive community.

Do not leave networking to chance. Design it. Facilitate it. And watch your exhibitor lounge become one of the most valuable parts of your event.