Building Your Professional Network in Colombia: An Expat’s Guide

Published on October 24, 2025 and written by Cyril Jarnias

Relocating to Colombia opens the door to countless professional opportunities, but to maximize these prospects, it’s essential to build a strong and relevant network.

Whether you’re an adventurous entrepreneur, a professional seeking new perspectives, or an expatriate looking to integrate, understanding the specifics of the Colombian market becomes crucial.

This guide offers proven strategies for navigating the local professional landscape, practical advice for establishing authentic connections, and tips for overcoming cultural challenges, in order to transform your experience into genuine success.

Identifying Key Events and Associations in Colombia’s Professional Network

Professional Event	Industry	International Scope	City/Date
FISE Colombia Expo	Electricity, energy, automation	Yes	Medellín, Nov 11-13, 2025
ANDICOM	Information technology, telecommunications	Yes	Cartagena, Sept 2026
EXPOCONSTRUCCIÓN EXPODISEÑO	Construction, architecture, design	Yes	Bogotá, May 2027
ANDINA-PACK	Packaging, industrial processing	Yes	Bogotá, Nov 2025
Cafés of Colombia Expo	Agribusiness, coffee	Yes	Bogotá, Oct 2025
AGROEXPO	Agriculture, livestock	Yes	Bogotá, Jul 2027
INTERZUM BOGOTÁ	Wood, furniture	Yes	Bogotá, May 2026
Colombiamoda	Textiles, fashion	Yes	Medellín, Jul 2025
SALON INTERNACIONAL DEL AUTOMÓVIL	Automotive	Yes	Bogotá, Nov 2026
FIMA	Environment, resource management	Yes	Bogotá, Jul 2027

Main Influential Professional Associations in Colombia

ANDI (National Business Association of Colombia)

Mission: Represent and promote the interests of Colombian businesses across all economic sectors.

Benefits for expatriates: Access to industry events, training, economic publications, networking opportunities with industry leaders.

Membership: Online application, submission of company documents, payment of an annual fee.

ACRIP (Colombian Human Management Association)

Mission: Develop human resource management practices, promote the HR profession.

Benefits for expatriates: Workshops, seminars, access to a national HR network, information on local legislation.

Membership: Online form, CV, payment of membership fee.

Bogotá/Medellín/Cali Chamber of Commerce

Mission: Support the development of local and foreign businesses, facilitate business creation.

Benefits for expatriates: Administrative assistance, access to local networks, invitations to events.

Membership: Business registration or as an individual member, fees vary by region.

Fedesoft (Colombian Software Industry Federation)

Mission: Promote the software and ICT industry in Colombia.

Benefits for expatriates: Access to specialized trade shows, innovation programs, technology networking.

Membership: Online registration for ICT sector companies.

Practical Tips for Participating and Building a Strong Professional Network

• Prepare your participation: Register online, check the list of exhibitors and speakers, prepare bilingual business cards.
• Participate actively: Attend conferences, workshops, and networking sessions organized at trade shows.
• Use association platforms: Join association LinkedIn, WhatsApp, or Slack groups to interact with members before and after events.
• Follow specialized media: Subscribe to association and trade show newsletters to stay informed about upcoming opportunities.
• Request mentorship: Many associations offer mentorship programs for newcomers, ideal for understanding the local market.
• Leverage international experience: Present multicultural skills during meetings, propose international collaborations.
• Respect local customs: Adopt a professional and respectful attitude, learn about Colombian social and business codes.
• Use local Chamber of Commerce services: To access databases, training, and private events reserved for members.

Tip: Participating in a major industry event and joining a local professional association are the best levers to accelerate integration and multiply qualified contacts in the Colombian context.

Association	Mission	Benefits for Expatriates	Membership Process
ANDI	Support businesses	Events, networking, economic monitoring	Form + fee
ACRIP	HR & human management	Workshops, HR network, legal information	Form + CV + fee
Cámara de Comercio	Business development	Assistance, local network, events	Business/personal registration
Fedesoft	Software industry	Trade shows, innovation, ICT network	Online registration

Expatriates will benefit from rapid professional immersion by targeting trade shows and conferences related to their sector, joining influential associations, and leveraging the networking tools offered.

Professional Etiquette in Colombia: Tips for Successful Networking

Punctuality is perceived as a mark of respect in professional meetings in Colombia, even though slight flexibility exists depending on the context. Arriving on time or a few minutes early demonstrates your seriousness and commitment to your counterparts.

Warm greetings are equally essential: a firm handshake accompanied by a smile, sometimes complemented by sustained eye contact, helps establish a positive atmosphere from the first moments. A cordial tone and an open attitude foster an exchange climate conducive to developing lasting relationships.

Before addressing professional matters, it is common and recommended to engage in personal conversation: discussing family, background, or sharing anecdotes creates a bond of trust and shows interest in the person beyond their professional role. This informal dialogue time is often essential to establish a strong partnership and facilitate future negotiations.

To maintain contact after the meeting, using local professional social networks, particularly LinkedIn, proves valuable. It is customary to add your contacts on this platform to extend the exchange, share relevant content, and strengthen the professional relationship.

Dress Code for Networking Events

Situation	Men	Women	Important Details
Meeting in cold city	Dark suit, tie	Pantsuit, dress or dress pants	Impeccable shoes, sobriety
City with warm climate	Light suit, shirt	Dress or lighter pantsuit	Always professional
Evening or cocktail	Elegant but more casual attire	Dressy dress or chic ensemble	Adapt according to venue

Attention to detail (clean shoes, understated accessories, neat hairstyle) is considered a sign of respect and professionalism.

Hierarchy occupies a central place: it is imperative to respect professional titles and address counterparts by their title and last name during initial exchanges. This formality demonstrates recognition of each person’s position within the organization. Decision-making is often vertical, and it is important to quickly identify who holds authority.

Expatriates can enrich discussions by sharing their international experiences, provided they do so with modesty and openness. Valuing diverse backgrounds, comparing certain cultural or economic aspects, and showing adaptability foster the creation of authentic and lasting bonds with Colombian partners.

Punctuality, respect for hierarchy, human warmth, and attention to detail are the pillars of successful networking in Colombia.

Key Points to Remember

• Arrive on time and greet warmly with a handshake
• Exchange first on personal topics to build trust
• Use LinkedIn to maintain professional relationships
• Adopt formal attire, adapted to climate and context
• Strictly respect titles and hierarchy in interactions
• Share international experiences to enrich exchanges, while valuing local culture

Strategies for Establishing Lasting Business Relationships in a Multicultural Context

Understanding and respecting cultural differences is fundamental to establishing lasting business relationships in Colombia. The Colombian approach values relationships, trust, and the integration of the personal dimension in professional interactions.

Main Cultural Norms and Practices Influencing Business in Colombia:

Cultural Element	Impact on Professional Relationships	Tips for Expatriates
Hierarchy	Companies are highly hierarchical; respect for status is crucial.	Always use titles (Doctor, Engineer) during initial exchanges.
Paternalism	Individual initiative is limited, hierarchical consensus prevails.	Adopt a respectful attitude, avoid direct confrontation.
Personal Relationships	Business relies on trust, often built in informal settings.	Actively participate in social events and accept invitations.
Family	Family occupies a central place, even in professional exchanges.	Inquire about counterparts’ families; this strengthens closeness.
Indirect Communication	Disagreements are rarely expressed directly, preserving harmony is essential.	Prioritize nonverbal language, read between the lines, avoid direct criticism.
Social Networking	Informal meetings (coffee, lunches) play a key role.	Never refuse an invitation for coffee; it’s a mark of respect.
Sociability and Humor	Exchanges are warm, sometimes playful, with affectionate nicknames.	Accept this conviviality without misunderstanding, avoid taking nicknames personally.
Flexibility	Schedules are flexible, “Colombian time” allows for some lateness.	Be punctual, but patient; remain flexible in the face of unforeseen events.

Effective Techniques for Building Trust:

• Invest time in personal knowledge before addressing purely professional topics.
• Accept invitations to social or family events; these moments are decisive for building trust.
• Offer small symbolic gifts, preferably related to your country of origin or your company.
• Be courteous, polite, and avoid any comments on religion or local politics.

Role of Informal Networking and Social Meetings:

• Important decisions are rarely made during the first official meeting; preliminary discussions over coffee or during lunch are determining.
• Corporate events, birthdays, religious holidays, and other celebrations are essential for strengthening bonds.
• Family and friend networks can facilitate access to new partners or clients.

Optimizing Intercultural Communication:

• Use formal language during initial exchanges, then adjust the level of informality according to the relationship.
• Pay attention to body language and facial expressions, often carriers of implicit messages.
• Adapt to the rapid transition from formal to informal address, a sign of integration and trust.
• Always begin a meeting with informal exchanges (weather, family, local news).

Concrete Examples and Practical Tips for Expatriates:

• During a first meeting, offer a small gift (coffee from your region, pen from your company).
• Systematically accept the coffee offered at the start of a meeting, a sign of respect and openness.
• Prepare a brief personal presentation including some elements about your family or interests.
• Actively participate in corporate celebrations, even informal ones, to show your commitment.
• Avoid sensitive topics (security, armed conflict, drugs) during initial contacts.

To succeed in Colombia, it is essential to get involved in the company’s social life, adopt a warm attitude, and give a prominent place to trust and the personal dimension in all professional approaches.