Preparing for Conferences as an Attendee
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Conferences are something I always look forward to. They provide networking opportunities, creativity-boosting experiences, and a chance to connect with like-minded professionals. But they can also be stressful or overwhelming without the right preparation. Showing up prepared makes all the difference.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to getting the most out of conferences:
1) Set intentions.
Before you book your travel or start planning outfits, take a moment to set a clear, singular intention. What’s the one thing you want to walk away with? Maybe you want to make one meaningful connection with a fellow entrepreneur, gain one new client, or learn a specific technique. This intention will be your north star. It will help you decide which sessions to attend, who to connect with, and how to spend your limited time and energy.
Then you can think about what other goals align with your mission:
- Which sessions are “must-attends” for you?
- Are there books you want to grab while you’re there?
- Are there any speakers or attendees you want to meet?
2) Pack with purpose.
You want to look and feel your best. That means packing both strategically and comfortably. You’ll want to bring weather-appropriate clothes for long days (I love layers — you never know which rooms will be over-air conditioned!)
You should also consider what tools you need for note-taking. Will you take notes digitally or by hand? Pack accordingly and don’t forget chargers if you’re taking notes on a tablet or iPad.
Other things you might not think of include: a reusable water bottle to stay hydrated, your favorite snacks, tea bags, and noise-canceling headphones. I also always bring a few mini soap-soaked sponges. These are perfect for hand-washing drinking glasses and your water bottle in your hotel sink.
3) Take smarter notes.
You don’t need to write down everything! Just focus on capturing what really matters in your conference notes. Jot down the things you want to revisit and implement when you get home.
It’s key to choose a note-taking method ahead of time that works for you, whether that’s a digital method or a notebook and pen. I also find that it helps to dedicate a section of your notebook or a separate doc for next steps. That way it’s easy to go back and take action. For other ideas, I shared some of my top note-taking tips in Writer’s Digest.
⇒ For even more note taking tips, check out my LinkedIn course.
4) Have a balanced approach.
It’s tempting to treat conferences like a sprint, but they’re more of a strategic marathon. You don’t want to wear yourself out too quickly and lose the energy for sessions later on that you’re excited about.
To avoid this, focus on attending sessions that connect with your main intention. It’s also a good idea to schedule short breaks between sessions so that you can pause and reflect on what you just heard. And when it comes to networking, a few meaningful conversations beat dozens of surface-level ones. Those connections will be deeper and lead to more opportunities.
Lastly, remember that you don’t have to attend every single event that interests you. It can be tempting to over schedule yourself since you’re there and you’re excited, but slow down. Giving yourself breaks lets you refuel and reset. Otherwise you won’t have the energy to really engage.
5) Keep the momentum going.
Don’t let those conference notes collect dust. Before you even leave, create a mini action plan. It’s always a good idea to send thank-you notes or LinkedIn connection requests. Following up on opportunities and applying to other events you heard about is also key.
It’s so helpful to carve out time before the conference for post-event follow-up. Putting that time on your calendar means you’ll actually take advantage of the opportunities and connections from the conference.
When you get home, give yourself a day to decompress (this is another one to schedule ahead of time!). Conferences are intense, and having a day to take it all in and get ready to jump back into work is so useful.
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BONUS FREEBIE: Want even more ways to stay organized, productive and less stressed? CLICK HERE to get access to my List-Making Starter Kit. It will boost your efficiency and get you back to doing more of the things you love.
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