Advice for People Attending Conferences

September 18, 2008 · Comments

At the Keynote Conferences can be amazing. They give you insight into a marketplace. They give you access to people who are thinkers and doers. They are often just the thing to revitalize your interest in something that matters to you. Attending two conferences in 2006 changed my life dramatically. And the cascade effect from being involved in the space continues to elevate my love for events.

I found some posts from myself and others that will help you prepare for conferences. But before I go into that, I wanted to share a little about how I came by some of this advice. Not only do I attend many conferences in a year, I’ve been working in the space for over 2 years already, myself.

My Background in Events

I’ve worked with some truly legendary conference people. Jeff Pulver knew the magic formula for a powerful community event that worked on several levels. I learned tons from him and Jason Chudnofsky while running the Video on the Net event.

I also work with Christopher S. Penn and the astounding Whitney Hoffman on the PodCamp events that we co-founded. We learn something new from every camp, even when we’re not organizing them. (By “we,” I mostly mean Chris and Whit.)

My current business partners, Stephen Saber, Nick Saber, and the rest of the folks at CrossTech Media have given me even more perspective, different models, and a whole new view on how things are evolving. Things like “big is out; small and meaningful is in.” We have an amazing show with David Meerman Scott, Paul Gillin and some incredible speakers and exhibitors at the New Marketing Summit this October, and I’m really proud of that event.

Observations About Attendees at Events

This year, at the amazing SNCR event in the Sonoma Valley, David Alston from Radian6 pointed something out. There were two conference experiences happening in the same room. Even though the event organizers made every effort to have attendees feel connected and included, half the room (maybe less) were active on Twitter, and having an entirely larger conversation, while the other half wasn’t even aware of all the activity.

It seems to me that most events now almost need to anticipate having a hash tag (something like #nms for New Marketing Summit), and an active Twitter back channel.

Another observation: the people who prepare to attend an event come away with a much different experience than those who just show up. This becomes very important, because it turns out that you, as a prospective attendee at an event, might find a completely different end result, with only a little bit of consideration and just a hair of pre-planning.

On the eve of going out to MANY events over the next 40 days or so, I wanted to compile some of the best advice I’ve received or written about with regards to how YOU can get more out of conferences.

Advice for People Attending Conferences

Things I do BEFORE a VON Conference – Jeff Pulver.

Getting More out of Your Speaking Opportunities – Jeff Pulver

Preparing for PodCamp DC with the Jeff Pulver Method – Christopher S. Penn

Be Sexier in Person – Me.

10 Ways to Make Your Next Conference Better – Me.

Using Social Media to Meet People – Me. ( Picture look familiar?)

What’s Your Advice?

What would you add to the list? How else can we prepare? What is your pre-event and post-event ritual?

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  • The idea of building in a few meetings ahead of time has always works well for me, especially early into the event, allowing later times to flow with unexpected opportunities. Thanks for the handbook in preparation for the New Marketing Summit next month (and for everything else as well...).
  • Don't be shy! If it's one of your natural traits, it's "ok" to leave home without it. A conference isn't just about listening to the presentations, it's about interacting with the attendees...it's about the conversations and meetings that take place in the halls and in the break-out sessions...the interactions that take place at the bar (which is, strategically speaking, a good place to be. Everyone goes to the bar at some point or other; including the big names you want to meet).

    In short, be confident and be personable. Not confident to the point that you're arrogant but confident to the point that you have that "I should know this guy" look about you.
  • Julius
    Hey Chris,

    great advice.

    Podcamp is very compliant with your suggestions and they are doing a great job in using web 2.0 tools and integration.

    I also suggest using as much as possible forums or events social networks, such as Backnetwork, as a great way to start engaging with new people.

    Also carpooling is a great idea to lower the impact on the environment as well as making connections before the conference actually starts.

    Thanks

    Julius
  • Hey Chris,
    I am a brand new reader and i have subscribed to your RSS feed. I really like this post. I really wish I could afford to go to conferences but at the moment I cannot. I know they give you loads of great ideas, but at the moment it is out of my league. I run a blog to and when that gets more income then I might be able to afford to go :-)
  • Chris - Looking forward to seeing you at Blog World this week. After reading this post, I decided to do this post - How to Get the Most from Your Conference Investment... http://www.kevineikenberry.com/blogs/2008/09/ho... - I hope it adds to your great post!

    Kevin :)
  • Chris, great topic and post! I also play around in the meeting and event space and have a monthly column in a leading industry magazine, Convene. Here is an article that was published a while back on preparing and getting the most out of your conference attendance. http://www.velvetchainsaw.com/articles/Conferen...
  • Great post, Chris. I regularly make it to association conferences and other networking events. Some of the best events I've attended have been user conferences hosted by some of my clients. It's so valuable to get to experience the type of relationships that companies have with their customers. We're in an era where in most cases, it's even OK for competitors sit across the table and share knowledge and industry experience - everyone benefits from that type of attitude.

    Here's some additional thoughts on a few strategies to get the most out of the events you attend...

    http://chasingchange.blogspot.com/2008/03/winni...
  • Good post, these tips are useful not just for conferences, but meeting people in general and creating brief smalltalk. It is difficult sometimes to make the most of conventions because there is so much going on at once. A lot of times it's nice to become comfortable with one new person you have met and break off from there. These little social skills are key for life in general.

    Craig
    www.budgetpulse.com
  • Timely post, Chris, inasmuch as Oracle OpenWorld 2008 is only three days away.
  • Timely post Chris. I'm in the middle of the annual convention of the Union of Nova Scotia Municipalities. A couple hundred local politicians and 50 or so exec staff like me. (Chief Administrative Officers). These people aren't shy.

    Perhaps against the grain, I never go to these things with an agenda. Strategic agendas is what I do every day at the office. No, I'm there to chat with people, build eye-contacts, listen to, and tell local stories, have fun, relax, laugh. It's unmotivated immersion.

    The "poli" in politics means "people". And people are the sine qua non of any socialmedia, including a convention. This is just to vault simple relationship building to a lofty principle. A gathering like that is just Twitter unplugged.

    Today I had lunch with the former Premier of Nova Scotia. And that's all it was. We had a good laugh. And that's enough.

    bob
  • Even though it's cool, don't sit on the stairs. Due to fire safety regulations the usher will come and move you along and you may feel like a bit of a ninny.
  • Do your homework before you go. If a particular speaker listed on the conference brochure has piqued your interest then research them as much as you can. Become familiar with their work, their business, their philosophies. Prepare a question or two you would like to ask them.
    When at conference, make an effort to meet them and spend a few moments in conversation. Remember what a great networking opportunity you have right in front of you. Take advantage and make it a worthwhile experience.
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