Some conferences you have to go to, while other conferences you look forward to attending. What is the difference? It may be that with a little preparation, every conference can be a positive and worthwhile venture.
Here are some tips to help you make the most of the experience.
Have a Goal – before you arrive, take some time to consider what you’d like to accomplish while you’re there. For instance, decide what you’d like to learn, who you’d like to meet, and how many contacts you hope to make networking.
Do Your Research – investigate the vendors who will host displays at the conference or tradeshow, decide which ones pique your interest, note their location on the map, and make a plan to connect.
Schedule in Advance – be sure to schedule your time wisely to include interesting breakout sessions, to visit vendors, and network with colleagues and others in the industry…yet leave a few blocks of unscheduled time in case there’s an opportunity to connect with someone over a cup of coffee.
Step out of Your Comfort Zone – if you’re going with fellow coworkers, it can be tempting to stick to your group, but make it a point to break away and make your own connections. You never know who you might meet!
With a little thoughtful planning and goal-setting, you can turn a “have to” task into an “I can’t wait to go” attitude.
“A great attitude is not the result of success. Success is the result of a great attitude.” —Earl Nightingale