How Jake Bennett makes the most of events

Big events like INBOUND are about more than just showing up.

To really get value, you need a plan, a mindset, and a willingness to start conversations.

This week, we’re giving the mic to Jake Bennett, AE at Amplemarket, to share how he approaches events and what’s worked for him on the ground.

Q: What’s one underrated thing you do to increase your chances of booking meetings at an event?

Jake: Don’t wait until after the conference. If someone’s interested, I book a time with them right there on the spot. I’m surprised how many companies just collect contact info and hope marketing follows up later.

You need to be proactive, make a strong first impression, and walk away with a concrete next step.

Q: How do you prep beforehand so you can hit the ground running once you’re onsite?

Jake: We divide up the floor plan map as a team. That way we know exactly which companies each of us should connect with.

No doubling up and no wasted time. Having a clear game plan makes us much more efficient.

Q: If someone’s struggling to get meetings locked in, what’s one quick win they can try?

Jake: Don’t overthink your opener. You don’t need a “golden line.” Just be genuine.

Ask how their day’s going or what they’ve enjoyed about the event so far. Authentic curiosity always beats a rehearsed pitch, and it naturally leads to deeper conversations.

Q: What’s your mindset going into a big event like this?

Jake: Honestly, I’m most excited about being with my coworkers and learning together. Events are like business speed dating. You get really fast feedback on who’s interested and who’s not.

I try not to complicate it. I start conversations wherever I can and see where there’s synergy.

Tips for reps heading to events

From Jake’s playbook:

• Book meetings in the moment. Don’t wait until later.
• Divide and conquer. Share the floor plan so your team is efficient.
• Keep it human. Genuine curiosity > perfect pitch.
• Don’t overthink it. Talk to as many people as possible and see where things go.

Heading to INBOUND? Come find us at booth #46. We’d love to chat.