How to Get the Most Out of Attending Conferences

Attending conferences is a great way to learn new skills, meet new people, and build a network of support that helps grow your business and your career.

But an industry event will only bring you those benefits if you know how to get the most out of attending conferences. If you go in without a plan or conference guide, you’ll waste both your time and your money. So, use these tips and free checklists to make sure you get the most out of your next conference experience.

Plan Ahead

Don’t just walk into a conference and expect the benefits to come to you. Make a plan to get what you want out of the conference. Before you go, make a list of what you want to gain from the event. Ideas for goals may include:

• Learn something new
• Find a solution to a business problem
• Meet people
• Generate leads
• Make sales
• Find a vendor

Write down your goals and be specific about the details of each so you know how to spend your time at the conference.

Be Confident in Your Introductions

Attending conferences can be nerve-wracking, especially if you are attending alone. But you will be less nervous and more confident if you come to the party equipped to proudly talk about yourself. Before the event, practice your 15-second introduction that says who you are, what you do, and why. If you are new to your role or work for yourself, you may stumble over this at first. So practice before you get there.

Make Pre-Event Relationships

See some friendly faces when you walk into the conference by making pre-event introductions. Use social media as a way to reach out to attendees before the event. Make plans to meet up with other attendees so you don’t feel so alone at the beginning of the conference.

Don’t Cling to Your Friends

While it’s good to have friends at the conference, don’t rely on them too heavily. You are there to make new relationships. So while you should spend time with people you already know, be sure to exert energy into meeting new people as well. Change up your seat during the sessions to sit next to new people and try eating half of your meals at tables with people you don’t know.

Put Value (and Notes) on Business Cards

Business cards may seem like a networking tool of the past. But they still hold value today. Both pass your cards out and collect cards so that you have a contact information to connect after the conference. Also, write notes on the cards so you can remember specific details about the person. This will help you make better, more authentic connections during your follow-up process.  

Put Our Your Digital Welcoming Mat

When attending conferences, you are making in-person introductions. But don’t forget about the digital introduction that comes next. After the conference, your connections are likely going to look you up online. Make sure you have a professional appearance there to greet them. Set up a digital presence that will impress them during their second encounter with you and your business. You can make sure your digital appearance is up to par by using this free 5-Day #GoPro Online Presence Challenge.

Prep Your Social Media Presence

You also want to make sure that your digital presence and social media profiles are set up to receive new connections before, after, and during the conference. Use a profile picture that clearly shows your face so people can recognize you. Consider adding a header image that highlights an opt-in that will specifically interesting people you meet through the conference. Join all social media lists for attendees of the event.

Create an Agenda

Set a schedule for the event so you don’t miss important presentations and parties. Research the speakers and prioritize the presentations you want to see. Print directions to the location(s) of the event, and create a document with all of your travel confirmation numbers and times. This will keep you on track and less stressed as you move through conference days.

Set Up a Follow-Up System

Don’t let the connections you made at the conference fizzle out. As soon as you get home:

• Email each person you met and including at least one personal detail. Adding a personal detail helps cement authentic relationships.
• Request connections on LinkedIn with each person you met.
• Connect on Facebook, Instagram, and/or Snapchat with each person who you formed a personal connection with.

Take Time to Reflect on What You Learned

Also when you get home, don’t let the knowledge you gained slip away. Review your notes and turn them into a blog post about what you learned (writing about it will help it get saved in your memory). Spend time thinking about:

• Your biggest takeaway
• What you learned that you need to implement right away
• What you learned that you need to implement over time
• What you discovered that you want to learn more about

Consider those ideas and draw up plans that turn those thoughts into actionable steps.

Attending conferences costs money, time, and energy. But it is worth is when you use these tips to get the most out of the event. To make sure none of these tips slip you mind, download this free five-page conference checklist.