With rising costs and a scarcity of time, you need to make the most of every conference opportunity. The people you meet, the businesses you connect with, and the memories you make can give you the means to revitalize your career and perspective on your day-to-day experiences. Whenever it’s conference season, keep these thoughts in mind to make your time out of the office worth it:
Plan Out Your Days
When you arrive, be sure to check in as soon as you can to get the conference information and any other materials you need. With conferences often filled with preplanned activities, you’ll want to make the most out of your free time. Which break-out sessions will you attend? What vendor booths do you want to stop at? Make a plan that’s designed around your personal interests and who you want to connect with. Will some booths or people only be there for a limited time? Make it a priority to visit when you can. Will some events be more popular than others? Try to arrive earlier to get a good seat or go to a less-attended event to make it easier for connecting with people in a smaller group setting. The more you approach the conference with an intended plan, the more likely you are to get something out of it.
Take Notes You Will Actually Use
There are a lot of takeaways to get from a conference. That also means there’s a lot to forget. It’s estimated that more than half of memory loss occurs in the first hour of learning a topic, and 75% within a day or two. You want to make attending this conference worth your while! That’s why taking notes that you’ll use during your work later is essential. Make sure to write down everything you think will apply to you, but also figure out how you’ll remember it later. Can you write it in a note that you can always see and remind you of what you learned? A pop-up on your computer or phone? You can certainly write everything down, but if you just store your notes in a drawer and never look at them again, what’s the point? Take the time to make notes you can use later, but also develop a strategy for how you’ll integrate it into your work in the weeks, months, and years to come.
Take Time to Connect with Key Experts
It’s not often that you can interact with the premiere experts in your industry. Not only is this the chance to meet others who are in similar positions to you, but also learn from the speakers who lead sessions. Whether it’s the keynote speakers or those in the breakout rooms, you’re more than likely to be able to speak or ask questions with some of them. Take the time to do so! Even if you want to tell them you loved their presentation or want to hear more, it’s at least something so you can make that first impression. Be conscious of those around you and what you want to talk about, but make the most of this opportunity you might not have again to make a one-on-one connection.
Follow Up with the People You Meet
How often does it happen where you and a friend intend to do something together, but it never materializes because neither one of you takes the time to schedule it? The difference between a passing connection at the conference and making a career-long business partner is the amount of time you invest. You most likely exchanged business cards for a reason! Relatively soon after the conference, be sure to reach out with a thank you or a follow-up to let people know you enjoyed meeting with them. Just starting the conversation works wonders for maintaining the connections you built. If the generic follow-up doesn’t appeal to you, try to send them something applicable from your previous interactions that you know they’ll have interest in. If you even say in your initial conversations that you’ll send them something later and connect that way, even better!
With business relationships, you won’t necessarily become best friends with them, but it can help you get connections and opportunities you wouldn’t have before. For example, making a connection with a vendor at a booth can give you someone to ask questions about their particular field and even give you insights you wouldn’t have otherwise. A connection with someone you make who works in the same role as you can give you ideas as you tackle your projects, or vice versa. What’s important is that you remain in each other’s mind so you can collaborate whenever the opportunity arises.
________
There’s a lot to learn at conferences, whether it’s with the keynote speaker or someone you meet in the hallway. However, what’s important is to put yourself out there, be yourself, and have fun. People will naturally want to talk with someone who is wanting to make connections and learn, so the more you can do to be approachable, the better. Bring your business cards and meet the people who can help propel you and your career forward!