The Art of Networking at GDC

For the past 10 years I have worked with numerous individuals in the field of gaming who were looking to begin their careers as developers or artists. In that time I can honestly say that I have never witnessed a better opportunity for making this happen than at the annual Game Developers Conference held each year at the Moscone Center in San Francisco.

I have attended many conferences for various industries in my 35 years of working in entertainment and can honestly say the vibe at GDC is like no other. It's a conference that I like to best describe as “Disneyland for Nerds.” If you are into gaming and on the path towards a career in the industry this conference is a must! But how does one take advantage of the incredible opportunities that it has to offer? How does one network at an event like GDC?

There are two keys to a successful GDC:

• Have Fun
• Make Friends

Not too hard, is it?

Having Fun
Enjoy yourself! The environment at GDC is filled with people that share your enthusiasm and passion for the games being created. Share that passion with others. The best way to show that enthusiasm is by active participation in the summits and at the various vendor exhibit booths.  Be sure to show your passion to others by asking questions, playing the demos and experiencing the technology. Being there is one thing but actively participating, sharing ideas and displaying your communication skills are essential in order to...

Make Friends

The best way to break into any industry is not through the job boards or web sites but through the people you know. You may have a degree and you may be a great technician but you still need people to see what you can do both technically and professionally. The more you establish your professional and personal brand, the more people will ask about your technical abilities.

Having trouble breaking the ice? Here are a few suggestions to get you started:

• Ask people about their jobs and what they do. How did they get their start?
• What led them to the position and industry they chose?
• Ask them about their company’s products/services, how they work, where they see it going and what the future holds.
• Learn from them. If possible, exchange business cards. Make sure you find out their names and put yourself in a position to follow up with them on Linkedin (or perhaps Twitter) later.

GDC is fun, but remember that your main goal in all of this is to build a professional reputation for yourself. Your reputation is your most valuable currency.  Maintain proper decorum at all times.  Be friendly, courteous and remember that you are being evaluated always. Treat others as you would hope they will treat you and go spread your enthusiasm and passion with the game industry.

GDC - Official Website