10 tips for having a great conference experience
by Mathilde Wennevold
Image: Callisha Gregg-Rowan, Adriana Mendieta, and Kendra O’Connor photographed by Jillian Mundy and ChangeFest
Attending a conference can be a whirlwind of sessions, networking, and new ideas. It’s an opportunity to learn from industry leaders, connect with peers, grow your network, and immerse yourself in the latest thinking. However, being prepared goes a long way to make the most of the experience. Whether you’re a seasoned conference attendee or a first-timer, here are ten tips to help you make the most of any event you attend. We’ve written this guide with the upcoming AES conference in mind, but really, these tips will ensure you have a great experience at any conference. Let’s dive into it!
1. Set your goals before you go
What do you wish to achieve most from attending this conference? Scour the conference program and the relevant social media to write a list of what most stands out to you. It could be the speakers you wish to see, people you wish to connect with, new opportunities you wish to pursue, and the other activities surrounding the conference you may want to attend. It could also be some sightseeing if you’re visiting from out of town. Here are some tips for Naarm/Melbourne!
2. Prepare your elevator pitch
Networking can be daunting even for the most outgoing of us – being prepared helps! To network and make new connections, we recommend practising your elevator pitch. Who are you, what are you working on, who do you work for or with, what about your work excites you the most? What are you passionate about outside of work? What are your thoughts on some of the themes and topics of the conference? Don’t get us wrong, we’re not saying to memorise it, you don’t want to come across as a robot! But loosely preparing these conversation bites can ease social interactions, help you leave a great first impression, and make you more memorable to new connections in the weeks after the conference!
Here’s a great icebreaker tip from Clear Horizon Lead Principal Consultant Anna Strempel:
I was once told that saying something – anything! – is better than saying nothing if you want to meet people at these types of events. Most people will be glad you’ve broken the ice and happy to forgive an awkward opener. It’s generally worked out for me, and if it goes badly, at least you’ll have a story to tell later!
3. Plan out your days
Plan your conference days so that you don’t miss the most important activities. Be selective when creating your plan, choosing topics and speakers that directly relate to your goals. We also recommend picking a few sessions that are outside of your usual focus, as these can offer new perspectives and interesting insights to your work.
Planning also means leaving things out—after all, spreading yourself too thin will leave you stressed and tired, which can impact your learning and networking. So, make sure you schedule plenty of breaks for rest, food, chats, and a leg stretch.
The AES has a great personal agenda builder tool for attendees to use.
Tip: If attending with colleagues and there are overlapping presentations, divide and conquer. Each person can attend different sessions and share key takeaways later, maximising the knowledge you bring back to your team.
4. What to bring:
To avoid reaching for single-use items, consider bringing your own reusable water bottle, coffee cup, pen, notebook, and a good bag from home.
You may also consider bringing business cards, a laptop (with charger), a phone charger, hand sanitiser, lip balm, a snack, and some mints. You don’t want to lug around a giant bag, so pick your essentials! For instance, if you can do it without a laptop, save weight by simply bringing your phone (or tablet).
5. Network with purpose (and remember to have fun!)
Networking is about making a connection with someone, so remember to have genuine conversations and make it fun. People don’t just want to know about you professionally; they want to connect with real people with hobbies, passions, and interests, so don’t be afraid to let your personality shine!
Tip: Use social media to connect with other attendees before, during, and after the event. Engage with the conference hashtag on platforms like LinkedIn and Twitter to start building relationships even before the event. Share a pre-conference post on your main social media platform and broadcast what you’re most excited about and why!
6. Take notes (and stay organised)
‘I’ll remember that’, we say, and then promptly forget. Keep a note app or notebook handy throughout the conference to jot down learnings, contact details, information, or ideas on the go. Future you will thank you!
Tip: While note taking, try to avoid writing full words and sentences (it’ll slow you down). Instead, stick to some sort of shorthand to keep up with the speakers. However, don’t wait too long post-conference before you revisit your notes, as the shorthand you thought you’d remember can suddenly become hard to decipher.
7. Be sustainability-minded!
Approach branded freebies carefully. Do you have a drawer of miscellaneous free swag handed to you over the years at functions and conferences? You’re not alone. Corporate swag has grown into a billion dollar industry, and it produces a lot of waste. Ask yourself if you really need all those pens, totes, keychains, notebooks and trinkets, or were they simply free? What the companies handing them out to you ultimately want is to be remembered after the conference, so if a company or person piqued your interest – don’t reach for the freebies; ask for their details and connect after the conference instead!
8. Participate in the conversation
Sure, you’re at the conference to learn and hear from industry thought leaders, but don’t forget to throw yourself into the conversation too! Ask questions, share your opinions, and reach for that microphone being passed around the audience!
Tip: Familiarise yourself with the conference’s key themes and topics in advance so that you’re more likely to come up with interesting questions on the day!
9. Look after yourself
Conferences can be high-intensity environments, so make sure you look after yourself (and your colleagues). We especially recommend looking after the following when you’re at a conference:
1: Hydrate!
2: Find out when and where (or even IF food will be served) so that you can plan accordingly.
3: Don’t overextend yourself! Build in time to rest into your schedule so that you can show up as your best self.
4: Look after your sleep in the lead-up and after a conference.
Tip: On the first day, get an overview of the conference venue so you know where to pull away to relax when needed.
10. Follow up with people after the conference
Once the conference is over, make sure you reconnect with the people you had insightful discussions with! Do it in the week following the conference, when impressions are still fresh in your mind (and theirs). We also recommend reaching out to new connections both via LinkedIn and email!
Tip: Don’t just invite them to connect, make yourself stand out from the crowd by making your message friendly, memorable, and specific. Bring up a great point they made that stood out to you, or the specific reason why you’re connecting with them to begin with. People like to feel seen and appreciated – so keep that in mind while penning your message!
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Have fun!
- Remember: conferences are about expanding your horizons, meeting new people, and potentially creating exciting new collaboration opportunities. Things won’t always go according to plan, and that’s okay, too. Don’t feel you need to white-knuckle your way through your pre-conference plan. Once at the event, follow the conference flow and give yourself the freedom to veer off course here and there to attend talks, opportunities, and chats you hadn’t planned for. We hope you have a great time at your next conference! Are you also heading to the AES24 conference? Check out our article on what we’re most looking forward to here!
