First-Timer Welcome Walk
A relaxed way for solo and first-time attendees to meet a few friendly faces before the main programme begins.
low-pressure networking
before the first keynote, the connection begins.
We design and facilitate optional, small-group pre-conference experiences that help attendees meet the right people, feel welcome and make the most of your event.
now booking
pilot events
We partner with forward-thinking organisers who value meaningful connections and want to shape what comes next.
the problem
networking is the reason people come. it is also the hardest part.
Networking is often the reason people attend an event, but for many it is also the most uncomfortable part. Drinks receptions and coffee breaks work well for confident attendees.
Others are left hovering, scrolling on their phones, or talking only to the few people they already know. First-time attendees, solo attendees and those new to a professional space feel it most.
Session Zero gives people an easier way in.
what we do
small-group connection, designed and facilitated for you.
We design and facilitate small-group connection experiences before, during or around your event. Morning walks, first-timer sessions, city walks, coffee meetups or easy-paced run clubs.
The format is adapted to the audience, location and purpose of the event. The whole thing is built to feel lightweight for you to add.
how it works
four simple steps, and we handle the rest.
1
attendees opt in
Pre-event sign-up with clear info on the experiences available.
2
we curate small groups
We match people with shared interests, backgrounds or goals.
3
facilitated experiences
Walks, coffee meetups and conversation, designed to connect.
4
arrive already connected
Attendees show up feeling oriented, confident and ready to engage.
example formats
a few of the ways it can run.
Each format is shaped around your event. These are starting points, not a fixed menu.
Coffee & Conversation Walk
A short, structured walk that makes conversation easier than standing around a crowded room.
Delegate Run Club
An easy-paced morning run for attendees who want to start the day with movement and conversation.
City Networking Walk
A simple way to help delegates experience the host city while building useful connections.
why it works
a different setting changes how people connect.
- Movement makes conversation easier.
- Small groups reduce awkwardness.
- Structure removes the pressure to “work the room”.
- First-timers feel welcomed earlier.
- Attendees are more likely to return when they feel connected.
- Organisers get a memorable feature without much operational burden.
what organisers get
we handle the details, so you don’t have to.
A polished networking add-on, delivered end to end. Session Zero can handle:
↳ Format design
↳ Route planning
↳ Attendee sign-up flow
↳ Pre-event communication
↳ Facilitation on the day
↳ Conversation prompts
↳ Safety and risk planning
↳ Light post-event feedback
sponsorship-ready
a natural moment for partners and sponsors.
Exhibitors and partners can sponsor a Session Zero experience. A new revenue line for you, and a genuine brand moment for them, away from the noise of the exhibition hall.
start small
an easy, low-risk pilot.
Start with a simple pilot for 20 to 40 people. One format. One session. Clear feedback. Low operational burden.
20–40 people
one format
one session
clear feedback
Book a pilot conversation →
about
why we built this.
Session Zero was created by Dylan Storan, PhD, a consultant, Fulbright scholar, runner, and lifelong hater of awkward networking.
Over a decade of attending conferences, Dylan kept noticing the same thing. The most valuable connections rarely happened in the official networking slots. Plenty of people, first-timers, solo attendees, anyone who finds a crowded reception draining, quietly slipped through the gaps. He also knew the feeling of wanting to get out and explore the host city, and wishing a few like-minded attendees were doing the same.
Eventually the thought became obvious. Someone should just organise this, properly and consistently. So he did. Session Zero is built on a simple idea: people connect better when the setting is relaxed, and when no one is forced to work the room.
we’re not a wellness activity.we’re a better way to connect.
Natural conversation beats forced networking. No icebreakers, no scripts, no awkward games.
let’s talk
make networking feel less like networking.
For conferences and events that want people to connect before the formal agenda takes over.
Start a conversation →