Making the Most of a Conference

It is springtime, and also a popular time for conferences. I would like to offer a few hints on how to get the most out of a conference, whether you are an end user attendee, or an exhibiting vendor.

First, read the agenda. It is important that you know what is happening, when. There are often conflicting events or seminars, and sometimes things are going on during mealtimes. Make sure you highlight what you absolutely need to attend.

Check the workshop schedule as well. You will most likely have to choose from a list of workshops and it will be impossible to attend everything. Some conference planners try to schedule each workshop twice, so that if you can't attend the first presentation, you can catch the second session. It will take a little time to go through and schedule your workshops, but in the end, you will find it was invaluable.

In addition to trying to make the most of your workshop attendance, you will also have to plan you trip to the exhibit hall. Some conferences have 200 or more vendors in the exhibit hall and your feet might not allow you to wander around for hours on end. Before you venture in, go through the list of vendors and highlight the ones you want to see. Chose a few that you MUST SEE, then a few that would be NICE TO SEE. Once you have seen the critical ones, then go wander around to see the rest. It is amazing how much time you can waste in an exhibit hall if you don't know who or what you are looking for. Planning can make all the difference.

At the end of the day, make sure you attend the social functions. This is where you will do some of your most valuable networking. The relaxed atmosphere of these events lends itself to meeting people and having a bit of fun.

One of the most important reasons for attending a conference is networking. In order to do this effectively, make sure to bring your business cards with you EVERYWHERE. When you meet someone in a workshop, or at a luncheon, give him or her your card. Ask for theirs as well. It is a good idea to jot a note on the back so that you remember where you met this person. Do that immediately, because if you wait until the end of the day, you will find yourself with a pocket full of business cards and you won't be able to remember who was who.

In summary, a bit of planning is the key to a successful conference. Plan your workshop schedule, plan your trip to the exhibit hall, and plan on attending the social events. Also plan a few minutes of rest now and then, so that you can survive and take advantage of it all, even up to the last day.