A system and method that automatically adds contacts to a user's instant messaging buddy list is provided. The contacts are added based upon existing database (i.e., directory) information as well as meeting information extracted from the user's calendar. The list of calendar contacts is included with the user's calendar. This list is used to automatically populate the user's buddy list. In one embodiment, a buddy list "group" is initialized for calendar entries. Contacts are also added to a user's buddy list through database queries. The group of contacts resulting from the query are then added to the user's buddy list. Contacts added to the user's buddy list through the user's calendar or through database queries can be made permanent or temporary. Temporary contacts are automatically removed after a specified period of time.