sonnygill Oct 01, 2008 12:11AM Thinking of an upcoming blog post - what are your 'best practices' when it comes to attending conferences?
rockinprgirl Oct 01, 2008 12:13AM as far as...? The few conferences I've attended, I've ended up participating in panel discussions.
rockinprgirl Oct 01, 2008 12:10AM we tried to attend sessions that interested us, but I should note that they were all academia.
sonnygill Oct 01, 2008 12:23AM As an attendee - what are some skills you've acquired, grown while going to your industry specific conferences/events.
sonnygill Oct 01, 2008 12:21AM Whether it be breaking the barrier of reluctance to talk to other attendees or speakers, connecting b4 hand, etc.
sonnygill Oct 01, 2008 12:22AM Just curious to get ppls takes on their personal experiences attending events and how they truly got the most out of it.
rockinprgirl Oct 01, 2008 12:23AM the thing about it was that we mostly stuck to our own (PRSSA chapter), but we did interact with the other PRSSA chapter we were presenting
rockinprgirl Oct 01, 2008 12:24AM with ... at the bar. I can't speak for any best practices actually, so I'm out.
rockinprgirl Oct 01, 2008 12:30AM haha, well I think people def. throw their inhibitions to the wind when there's libations abound. They forget their nerves. Trying to meet
rockinprgirl Oct 01, 2008 12:31AM and talk with people can definitely be nervewracking. A truly social atmosphere is more comfortable than approaching someone before or after
sonnygill Oct 01, 2008 12:44AM uniquefrequency Good one. That's a great thing to do as an ice breaker.
Debra Simpson says Oct 01, 2008 12:49AM I never go anywhere without my hand held digital recorder - can record sessions or do some podcasting - helps in meeting ppl
DebInAustin says Oct 01, 2008 01:03AM I know you are already on top of it with the b-card thing (so many people forget to bring them!). I have one funny thing I always put my
DebInAustin says Oct 01, 2008 01:06AM cards in my left pocket (of my blazer) shake hands with the right, pass the card with the left and put the received cards in my rt pocket
CallKathy says Oct 01, 2008 01:13AM talk to everyone. share cards. Use a two sided bcard holder. yours in one side, other people's in the other side
DebInAustin says Oct 01, 2008 01:24AM sorry, I got distracted by the phone. I always go back to my room and write notes on backs of all the cards. As much as I can remember
DebInAustin says Oct 01, 2008 01:25AM about the person- birthday, dog's names, etc. And, I always follow up with a note or email after the conference.
DebInAustin says Oct 01, 2008 01:29AM one of my guy friends always carried like 6 or 7 pens. Inevitably someone would need a pen and he could pass it to them and start a convo
DebInAustin says Oct 01, 2008 01:30AM make sure you don't have any bathroom issues- that sounds silly, but in Japan I organized and managed our Govs trade mission. I went to the
DebInAustin says Oct 01, 2008 01:31AM bathroom and my blazer pocket must have fallen open and a bunch of the cards I'd collected fell into the toilet- cards for the head of
DebInAustin says Oct 01, 2008 01:28AM Mitsubishi, Sr. staff from the Foreign Ministry, VP from Sony, VP from Japan Air, Ambassador to the US...it was awful!
sonnygill Oct 01, 2008 01:46AM Great points all! Deb, that's a great tip as far as carrying multiple pens with you. Good conversation starter.
sonnygill Oct 01, 2008 01:47AM I think a good one is if its a multiple day event, have a meet up 'after hours' and in a more relaxed setting (a few drinks im sure)...
sonnygill Oct 01, 2008 01:47AM help break the ice and make for more conversations the next day with that contact and then expand to his/her contacts and so forth.
MackCollier says Oct 01, 2008 02:04AM Sonny use your Plurk/Twitter networks and see who else will be attending. Have biz cards ready & be ready to answer the 'what do you do?' ?
Connie Oct 01, 2008 02:40AM Attended new member reception at conf this weekend. Wii bowling at one end of room; Rockband at the other. Bar and buffet snacks.
Connie Oct 01, 2008 02:37AM Lots of tables and chairs. Board members introducing themselves to new members. Games made it easier for newcomers to join in.
sonnygill Oct 01, 2008 02:41AM Wow, thats a great setup Connie. Must've made it super easy for the new members.
AmberCadabra Oct 01, 2008 02:46AM I loved that the SBMU folks did a social event FIRST before the conf. really started. Helped folks get acquainted and go into the next day
DebInAustin says Oct 01, 2008 02:47AM I love that games thing! What a great way to get people involved.
sonnygill Oct 01, 2008 02:47AM That is great Amber. Hopefully we can get a bunch of folks together the night before MP conf. kicks off.
onepinktee Oct 01, 2008 02:49AM if you're attending with coworkers, consider a 'divide and conquer' approach so that you hear as many of the sessions that sound good
onepinktee Oct 01, 2008 02:50AM then debrief over lunch or dinner and if there's anything to share in-depth, do a brown bag lunch after returning to work
DebInAustin says Oct 01, 2008 02:47AM I always try to not spend all my time with co-workers at conferences. It's comfy, but I don't meet anyone new.
onepinktee Oct 01, 2008 02:50AM dress in layers and bring a sweater - it's hard to pay attention if you're focused on avoiding frostbite
AmberCadabra Oct 01, 2008 02:48AM LOLing at Tara telling a guy to "bring a sweater". Do guys do that?
sonnygill Oct 01, 2008 02:52AM haha damn - i have a lotta hoodies, i thought they were manly lol - Tara, hopefully it is cool and not hot like AZ air!
BarbaraKB says Oct 02, 2008 10:57AM prep before go: make list of folks u want to meet. perhaps e-mail & let 'em know u want to meet them. plan face time wisely.
BarbaraKB Oct 02, 2008 10:59AM agree DebinDenver: tempting to stick w/those u know. y good to have prepped a list of folks to meet. make self accountable.
sonnygill Oct 02, 2008 12:18PM Good tip Barbara - I'll be spending the next couple weeks contacting ppl who will be heading to the MP Mixer later this month.
sonnygill Oct 02, 2008 12:19PM Then keeping a list of folks I want to or already scheduled some time to meet up with.