Have you ever attended a conference and felt overwhelmed? The first time I attended a conference with over 3000 delegates for the first part and over 5000 for the second part I was totally overwhelmed. Yes they gave you an app, but the sheer volume of presentations, talks & workshops was just too much. I had to take some hours both with the app, that allowed you to chose a topic and then pointed you to the right sessions, and the printed timetable. Many times there were several sessions at the same time that I wanted to attend.
The question whether I am following what I want to listen to, or what I should listen to, or what would help my team the most came to mind. I decided at that time, to go with what will help the team the most.
Here are a few tips how I approach it:
- As soon as you know you are attending the conference, go to the website and look at the program. I usually print it out. Mark all the session you would like to attend, regardless whether they are at the same time or not.
- Go back to the program several time and start narrowing it down, until you have prioritized, one session in each time slot
- I always use tea breaks, lunch breaks for networking. Get talking to people and get their contacts. Then write to them either the same day or immediately after the conference.
- If there is a sponsor exhibition, then schedule time slots to visit. Tea breaks are too short and over lunch time you might want to network. I usually just look at the session time slots and identify one, that has sessions that are not top priority. Then I go to the exhibition during that time
- Remember there is Conference Fatigue. I usually start feeling “all conferenced out” by the third day. To prevent that I schedule down time in between. You often get access to all the presentations after the conference. Hence you do not need to attend all.
- Go with your own notebook. Some conferences give you limited space for taking notes and you will run out of space. Take notes by hand, not on your gizmo or by taking pictures. It is medically proven, that you will remember more, if you take notes by hand.
- Try out the most comfortable shoes. They should have a good footbed, that supports your arch. If your shoes do not have a good footbed your ankles and knees might swell and hurt by the end of day 2, because you will walk and stand a lot, and then sit the rest of the time. It is NOT like in the office. I have a pair of neutral black Sketchers, that I use and a number of Clark’s Shoes with footbed. These are my go-to shoes for conferences and for when I do whole day training.
- Have fun, take advantage of the extra activities, you will only once have the time to meet with that particular crowd. Yes they might cost a bit, but it is worth it. For example attending the Award Gala Dinner at the PMI Global Conference is very inspiring and also provides good entertainment.
- Don’t stay at the venue. Look for cheaper Hotels in walking distance. I usually look at all Hotels within 1km distance. Look on Airbnb, Booking.com or other Hotel booking websites, you will find deals.
- Spend at least 2 days extra. You might not go to that town again soon, so explore the town. Use hop-on-hop-off buses to explore, check if there are visitor passes. Those usually give discounted rates.
We even use this to link up with old friends. We agree to meet 2 days earlier and do a few things together.
Prepare well for a conference, to get the most out of it. Take ample notes and make sure you network. Don’t runaround throwing cards at people and telling them you are looking for a job. No start a conversation and discuss the last session you went to, or the key note. Then as you get to know each other, hand over your card and say you would love to stay in touch. Then write and follow up. As you get to know each other, you can indicate you are looking for new opportunities.
Look up your new contacts on LinkedIn and connect with them there.
Have fun and make the most of the trip. Those who reach a conference town on the day the conference starts and leave before it even ends, do not get much out of it, since they are too tired. I always plan for a couple of extra days.