Exchanging WhatsApp numbers instead of business cards has become the norm at Gulf business events, and LEAP 2026 will be no different. This guide will walk you through how to use WhatsApp professionally in that setting, so your follow up message lands the right way rather than feeling out of place.
WhatsApp is the default communication channel for business across Saudi Arabia and much of the Gulf, used as readily for closing deals as for casual chat. At an event like LEAP, where thousands of investors, founders, and executives are trying to follow up on brief conversations, WhatsApp’s speed and familiarity make it the practical choice over email, which tends to get buried for days after a busy conference.
– Introduce yourself clearly in your first message. Don’t assume the person remembers exactly who you are from a 90 second conversation in a crowded hall. Reference where you met and what you discussed.
– Keep your first message short. A brief, specific note referencing your conversation lands better than a long pitch sent cold.
– Mind response time expectations. WhatsApp’s immediacy can create pressure to reply instantly. It’s fine to take a few hours during a packed conference day, but don’t leave a genuine follow up unanswered for days.
– Use voice notes sparingly in a first message. They’re common in casual Gulf business culture once a relationship is established, but a text based first message tends to read as more professional for an initial follow up.
– Avoid sending your pitch deck unprompted in the first message. Ask if it’s welcome first, or wait until the conversation naturally moves in that direction.
– Be mindful of message timing around prayer times and Friday. Business messages sent very early morning or during Friday’s rest day may sit unread longer than on other days, which isn’t a reflection on your message.
A message along the lines of: “Hi [Name], great meeting you at the LEAP investment track yesterday. Really enjoyed our conversation about [specific topic]. Would love to continue the discussion, let me know if you have 15 minutes this week.” gives the recipient full context, shows you were paying attention, and makes a small, specific ask rather than an open ended one.
Follow up window refers to the practical timeframe after meeting someone at a conference during which a message still feels relevant and remembered. For a fast moving event like LEAP, that window is typically 24 to 48 hours, after which your conversation risks getting lost among the dozens of other people that person met that same day.
None of this matters if your WhatsApp isn’t working the moment you want to send a follow up between sessions. Since GleeSim’s eSIM runs on WhatsApp itself for its own management, you’re already set up to message contacts the same way you’d check your own data balance, quickly and without opening a separate app.
| Networking Tool | Setup Needed at LEAP | Reliability |
| Physical business cards | None, but easy to lose or forget | Static, no immediate follow up |
| Requires finding WiFi to send promptly | Often delayed, easily buried | |
| WhatsApp via GleeSim eSIM | Active from the moment you land | Immediate, familiar to Gulf contacts |
Get your Saudi Arabia eSIM set up before LEAP so you’re never the person apologizing for a late follow up because your connection wasn’t working. Full event details are in our LEAP 2026 guide.
Is it normal to ask for a WhatsApp number instead of a business card in Saudi Arabia? Yes, it’s extremely common in Gulf business culture, and often preferred over a traditional card exchange, especially at large tech and investment events.
Should I message someone the same evening or wait until the next day? Same evening or the next morning both work well. The key is staying within that 24 to 48 hour window while the conversation is still fresh in their mind.
Can I use my regular WhatsApp number, or do I need a Saudi number? You can use your regular number. GleeSim’s eSIM runs as a secondary data line, so your existing WhatsApp account and number work exactly as they do at home.
Is it rude to send a voice note instead of typing? Not necessarily rude, but for a first follow up after a brief meeting, a typed message tends to read as more professional. Voice notes are more common once a relationship has developed further.
What if I don’t get a reply to my follow up message? Give it a few days beyond the initial 24 to 48 hour window before assuming disinterest, since conference schedules are genuinely packed. A single polite follow up after a week is reasonable, but avoid repeated messages if there’s no response.
Should I add new contacts to WhatsApp immediately or wait until after the conference? Adding them immediately, ideally right after your conversation, ensures you don’t lose track of who’s who among dozens of new contacts made across a busy multi day event.
Ready for LEAP week networking? See the full LEAP 2026 eSIM guide and set up your connection before you fly.
