Why You Should Attend Cisco Live — and Actually Talk to People
Back in 2022, I wrote a post covering everything Cisco Live has to offer: the technical sessions, the labs, the World of Solutions, and the various events. I ended it with a small remark: “Above all, interact with people, make new contacts, and participate in discussions”. I still think it’s the most underrated piece of advice I could give. This year will be my 13th Cisco Live, and if anything, I believe it more firmly now than ever.
Cisco Live means human connectivity
The more conferences I attend, the more I realize that the moments where I learn the most are rarely inside a breakout session or in front of a product demo. They happen in conversations with engineers facing the same challenges I face. Who may, for example, have tried a completely different approach to solve them. With peers who do the same job at a larger or smaller scale. Or with people from entirely different industries or organizational cultures, dealing with problems I’ve never encountered. Or also with someone who just completed a training or a certification I didn’t know existed.
Those conversations are where the real learning happens. And in my opinion, that’s the true added value of attending a conference in person.
Of course, the technical sessions at Cisco Live are excellent. And also in this case, a three-minute chat with the speaker immediately after can change everything about how to approach a technology or an issue. It can trigger a follow-up, spark an idea, or be the beginning of a project you never anticipated.
I think many managers and engineers underestimate this. I certainly did the same early in my career: a mix of imposter syndrome, introversion, and self-consciousness about my bad English probably kept me away from some genuinely interesting conversations. Today, my English is still a “work in progress”, but the rest has faded over time, through deliberate effort and experience. For managers without a technical background, the value of these human exchanges can be especially difficult to estimate. But cost and time spent away from the office shouldn’t be the deciding factors; the return on investment is definitely worth it. And if you’re writing a conference attendance request to your manager, I would encourage you to make this point explicitly.
Where to Meet People at Cisco Live
Arrival Tweetup
This is the very first event, happening before the conference even officially opens. It’s where you reconnect with people you may only see once a year. Organized by the social media team, it’s a warm, energetic gathering: the famous group photo, a relaxed atmosphere, and a genuinely good opportunity to break the ice before the week begins.
The World of Solutions
A few spots are particularly good for conversations here. The Social Media Hub typically has comfortable seating designed for exactly this purpose. The Learning & Certifications booth is another one, beyond the welcoming Cisco L&C team, you’ll often find book authors passing through and a gravitational pull of experts. And the Cisco Insider area is worth a stop, whether you’re already a member or not: if you aren’t, sign up on the spot. They run online sessions throughout the year covering new products and technologies. Pick your speciality, and you’ll receive invitations.
Don’t overlook the exhibitors either. Many of the most honest, candid product conversations happen at vendor booths where the person you’re talking to actually built the thing.
Meet the Engineer
After breakout sessions, these are invaluable. Book your slot directly on the conference website. And if a session raises a question you don’t want to ask in a room of 200 people, approach the speaker at the end. Speakers like talking about their work. Almost everyone does, in fact. That’s a good thing to remember.
The Events
There’s no shortage of social opportunities throughout the week, both official and unofficial. On the first evening, the World of Solutions celebration kicks things off in style, and it’s one of the best early opportunities to meet people in a relaxed setting before the week’s schedule takes over. From there, sponsors and Cisco alike organize a steady stream of side events throughout the conference; dinners, drinks, and informal gatherings. The most iconic of these is the Customer Appreciation Event, which tends to be a memorable evening in its own right.
The Departure Tweetup closes out the conference with one last group photo. A nice moment, but by that point, the week is over, and many people have already left. Don’t wait until then to make connections; the opportunities are spread across the entire week.
A Few Practical Tips
Engage — whatever the context. Whether it’s a tutorial, a BoF, a lab, or a walk past an exhibitor’s booth: introduce yourself and ask a question. People appreciate genuine curiosity.
Eat before you go to receptions. This sounds trivial, but it’s genuinely useful: if you arrive having already eaten, you won’t spend your evening queuing for food. You’ll have more time and energy for actual conversations.
Conferences are not speed dating. Don’t collect business cards like trophies or treat every interaction as a transaction. Be present, be genuinely interested, and don’t be the person who makes others feel uncomfortable. A few things that should go without saying, but sometimes don’t: respect people’s boundaries and treat all interactions as professional unless explicitly stated otherwise. If you witness inappropriate behaviour, don’t look the other way; be an active bystander. And make a point of being the kind of person that makes others, especially those who are newer or more marginalised, feel welcome and supported. This article is worth a read if you want to think more about where networking can go wrong.
See you there!
I started attending Cisco Live as someone who mostly came for the sessions. Gradually, the conversations became the reason I come back. That shift didn’t happen by accident; it came from deciding to show up, say hello, and stay curious.
If you’re heading to Cisco Live this year, I hope you leave with more than slides and a full notebook. I hope you leave with a few new people you’ll still be talking to years from now. See you there!