11/ 28/ 2006
by Marcia Passos Duffy
You probably have a one or two business conferences you would like to attend this year. If you're like the typical conference-goer, you plan to select some lectures and workshops, maybe take some notes, learn something new, have lunch with colleagues, do a little networking and then go home.
But is this the best way to maximize your time at a conference, which is usually pricey to attend? Attending a conference should not be a passive experience; planning your attendance at a conference involves more than booking your hotel room and selecting workshops.
Most attendees don't make the most out of what is available to them at a conference because they believe that conferences are a lot like school and are only for "listening" to experts, presenters and industry specialists. But the truth is that getting the most out of a conference means you need to actively reach out and participate, talk with a clear message (even though you may not be a speaker at the conference) and most of all prepare for the conference with a plan.
What you do at a conference depends on your goal and reason for attending the conference. Reasons for signing up for a conference varies widely: you may want to increase your professional development in a certain area or expand your area of expertise; you may want to do some networking or meet a key expert in your field. Or you may simply just want to get out of town for a few days!
Whether you have a specific goal in mind for attending a conference, or you simply want to learn something new, here are some tips to get the most out of your experience:
- Get an elevator speech. Hone your 30-second "elevator speech" (i.e., a speech that is no longer than an elevator ride) for moments during conferences when someone asks you: "So, what kind of work do you do?" Practicing your 30-second elevator pitch ahead of time helps you look professional during these conversations and lets the other person know exactly what you do before moving on.
- Try something new. When you get your conference agenda in the mail, read it cover to cover and select the sessions that will improve your professionalism in your business. Get daring and try to learn new things. Another technique for maximizing your learning experience at a conference is to buddy up with a professional colleague who attends different seminars and workshops. You can then meet at the end of the day over dinner to share what you each have learned.
- Stay at the host hotel and stay the entire time. Even though this is not school, and you can easily arrive late and leave early, you never know what you might be missing by doing this. It's your money, and you want to get the most out of the conference fees. You may also want to consider staying at the hotel that the conference organizers suggest. While you might save a few bucks staying at a cheaper one a few blocks away, staying at the hotel where everyone else is staying allows you to network more effectively.
- Give and get business cards. Make sure you take plenty of your business cards because you will be surprised by how fast you will go through them. And make sure you collect as many business cards as you can, so you can follow up later with postcards, e-mails or phone calls. You may even want to bring a supply of your brochures for those who would like more information about your business. It's also a good idea to buy the tapes and audio CDs recorded during the sessions that you like. Listening to the speaker again will reinforce what you have learned during the session.
- Be an active participant, not a passive observer. You may not be a formal presenter, but that doesn't mean you don't have something to contribute. Make sure you ask questions and make comments when the format allows it. This will add to your knowledge and, most importantly, it will open up new avenues of conversation with your colleagues after the session. And, it goes without saying that you need to remember that you are not really off duty because you have left your home base. Enjoy yourself, but avoid risky behavior like the plague—this type of behavior will get back to your boss or your clients and can often jeopardize your job, family and future.
