Making the Most of Conferences
Conferences offer excellent opportunities for learning, gaining new industry insights, making connections and building business relationships. We have put together some key points to help you make the most of your next conference:
- Decide on your aims for the conference, which speakers you most want to hear and which events are the most important to you and your business.
- Have a list of questions ready along with people you most want to contact while you are there.
- Conferences are an ideal place to network with others in your industry so be sure to take plenty of business cards with you. When exchanging business cards it is a good idea to write a little note on the back of their card to help you remember important points about the individual or their business.
- Make an effort to talk to people you don't know and bring them into the conversation, if you only spend time with people you already know you may not be gain the full potential from your conference experience.
- Dress smartly and appropriately, err on the side of conservative and ensure you are well groomed. You are representing your company and are the "face" of your business, first impressions really do count.
- Enjoy yourself but remain professional, don’t drink too much at the post conference social events. Although these events can be excellent places to meet and talk to people in a more relaxed atmosphere you do not want to be remembered for all the wrong reasons. If you show yourself up you can expect a call into your boss's office on your return to work.
- Be sure to contact people as soon as you get back to your office, a quick phone call or email shows you have remembered them and value meeting them at the conference. You could also send thank-you notes if appropriate.