How to Network at Atlassian Team '25 (Even If You’re New)
You don’t always realize how valuable a connection is until you’ve made it. That’s what happened when we first crossed paths with the folks at Deiser. Before Team '24 in Barcelona, we’d only heard their name. By the end of that week, we were dancing together at afterparties and sharing more inside jokes than you’d expect from two companies that had just met. This piece you're reading now is even a fruit of this.
As Avisi Apps, an Atlassian Marketplace Partner, we want to offer real-world advice for anyone attending—especially if you’re feeling a bit out of place, a bit unsure, and wondering if you’ll find people to talk to.
Walking Into a Team Event for the First Time
It’s easy to feel small when you first step into an expo hall. There are booths everywhere. There’s a giant Atlassian logo lighting up half the room.
It’s easy to feel small when you first step into an expo hall. There are booths everywhere. There’s a giant Atlassian logo lighting up half the room. Our team at Avisi Apps has been to multiple Team events, but that first step inside? It always feels the same—exciting, overwhelming, and full of possibilities.
You’ve got a badge around your neck that announces your name and company, which might or might not be recognized by the crowd. The folks working the booths are juggling conversations with passersby, trying to keep their energy up for three straight days. Meanwhile, you’re trying to figure out if you should say hello or wait for them to approach you. It can be a lot. The biggest takeaway from our previous Team events is that everyone’s a little unsure at first, even the people who seem like they’ve done it a hundred times. If you can accept that reality, a lot of that tension goes away.
How We Met Deiser!
We met Deiser entirely by chance—or maybe not entirely. We’d seen their name around before, especially in LinkedIn posts from Deiser’s Atlassian In One Minute host Fede Baronti, so we were already looking forward to chatting with them. But we didn’t expect it to happen quite so naturally.
Our business developer, Greta, has never been shy about chatting with anyone who comes within earshot, especially if there’s a Spanish accent involved. Deiser happens to be based in Spain and Greta, being from there, is unstoppable in that scenario. She walked straight up to their booth and probably said something witty in Spanish. Mind you, no other person on our team speaks the language, so we can't be truthful witnesses to what she actually said.
Next thing we knew, we were all standing in a circle, discussing everything from marketing approaches to the future of the Atlassian ecosystem. That’s when we learned more about their work with Apps 4 Solutions and the cool apps they’ve built. Antonio’s charm and inclusiveness made it easy to keep the conversation going—he has a way of making you feel like part of the team, even if you just met. None of us had planned it. We just stood there, realized we had a lot in common and kept talking. It was natural because nobody forced a sales pitch. We were just trying to connect.
Figuring Out the Expo Hall Chaos
The expo hall is designed to be a hub of activity, but it can feel a bit like speed dating if you’re not careful. You get a short window to make an impression before the next person wanders into view. That can be nerve-racking, especially if you’re new or alone. It’s easy to think everyone else came with a huge group of longtime friends. More often than not, they didn’t. They just happen to know a handful of other folks from past events, or they’re good at faking comfort until it’s real. Our advice is to start with one friendly conversation. Then do it again. By the second day, you’ll see a few familiar faces.
That first conversation might feel like a small step, but it’s what sets everything in motion. The more you put yourself out there, the more familiar faces you’ll recognize, and before you know it, it starts to feel natural. But how do you get there? It helps to have a few strategies in your back pocket—here are some practical tips to make meeting new people easier.
10 Tips for Turning Strangers into Friends at Team '25
- Ask something unexpected. Instead of “Where are you from?” try, “What’s the weirdest moment you’ve had here so far?” It usually leads to a memorable reply. People come to Team for the brand-new announcements, sure, but also for that coffee-break banter.
- Don’t try too hard. Don’t go in with a ready-made pitch that you deliver to everyone who glances your way. If you go all-in on a sales pitch, people tune out. Open with something genuine—even if it’s just a comment about the morning coffee, the new pins Atlassian has on the wall, or the amazing lunch options they tend to serve.
- Trade a real story. Mention a moment you messed up big time or share an odd hobby. Suddenly, you’re two human beings connecting, not just name badges passing in a crowd. People appreciate honesty and quirks—it makes conversations more memorable. Maybe you both took the wrong train to the venue, accidentally emailed the wrong person, or have a shared love for obscure ‘90s sitcoms. Those little moments spark real connections.
- Be the person who says hi first. If someone looks lost or bored, wander over and say hello. Worst case, you share a laugh and move on. Best case, you make someone’s day a little easier and start a great conversation. Most people are waiting for someone else to break the ice—why not be that person?
- Join anything that sounds fun. Group dinners, random karaoke nights, or last-minute coffee runs—sometimes the best invites aren’t official. Once official schedules wrap up, people head out to bars, casual meetups, and sometimes random gatherings that nobody planned but everyone seems to know about. This can be intimidating if you’re not the biggest social butterfly. But if you can push yourself to tag along with at least one group, you’ll end up in some spontaneous moment you’ll laugh about years later. That’s how we found ourselves with : we finished the official Atlassian Bash, were wandering around, and saw them waving at us from across the street. They invited us to join them for a drink, and the next thing we knew, it was very late into the night, and we were having some actual fun.
- Keep your night schedule flexible. Yes, it’s good to get rest when you can, because these events can be very exhausting. But some of your best leads and friendships might happen long after the expo lights go down. If you meet someone interesting, don’t be afraid to say, “Hey, do you want to grab a bite with us after the event?” You’ll find that the expo floor vibe carries over into local restaurants and rooftop bars.
- Don’t hide your curiosity. If you see something interesting, ask about it. People love explaining their big ideas, and it’s a good way to learn. Atlassian events are filled with carefully crafted marketing messages and interesting people presenting them. Ask a question, challenge an idea, or just show genuine interest—you might end up in a conversation that’s far more insightful than the pitch itself.
- Take a moment to connect online. A quick follow-up on LinkedIn or a short message a few days later keeps the conversation going. It doesn’t have to be deep—just a simple “Good talking at Team '25! Let’s stay in touch” can turn a quick chat into a real connection down the line. And let’s be honest, you’ll probably forget their name if you don’t.
- Say yes more than you say no. Within reason, of course. If someone invites you to a panel, consider it. If you’re asked to co-author a blog piece, jump in. Worst case, you try something, it doesn’t work out, and you both move on. Best case, you find a partner you look forward to seeing at the next event. That sense of community can be the difference between feeling like you’re just checking a box by showing up and feeling like you’re part of something bigger.
- Join brain dates. Atlassian’s small-group discussions where people sign up to talk about specific topics. Sometimes, the conversation is just as interesting as the topic itself, but other times, the real value is in the people you meet. You might sign up for a session on marketing strategies and walk away with a new business connection (or at least a few unexpected insights). And sometimes, those small conversations don’t end when the event does—they turn into something bigger.
What We Learned
So if you’re preparing for Team '25—especially if it’s your first time—take a page from our book. Show up ready to talk, ready to listen, and maybe ready to celebrate with new friends. Ask questions. Invite someone you don’t know to grab a quick coffee and trade thoughts about the day’s sessions.
Most importantly, follow up. That’s how you turn a friendly chat into a real partnership. And if you happen to see us, Avisi Apps, or the Deiser team in the expo hall, come say hi.
The expo hall might be massive, and the schedule packed, but underneath all of it, there’s one thing that makes these events special: people who want to connect. All you have to do is start the conversation.
So if you’re preparing for Team '25—especially if it’s your first time—take a page from our book.
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Dilara Erecek _Avisi Apps_
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